Argentine Rock Star Gustavo Cerati Dies After Long Coma

A Man Writes Over A Picture Of Argentine Musician Gustavo Cerati Placed In Front Of The Clinic Where Cerati Died Today At The Age Of 55 In Buenos Aires September 4, 2014. — A man writes over a picture of Argentine musician Gustavo Cerati placed in front of the clinic where Cerati died today at the age of 55 in Buenos Aires September 4, 2014. Cerati was a flamboyant showman who brought stadium rock to Latin America with his band Soda Stereo. Grammy-winning Cerati had been in a coma since suffering a stroke in May 2010, after a show in Venezuela. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci (ARGENTINA - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY OBITUARY) - RTR44ZVT REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

Legendary Argentinean rock star, Gustavo Cerati, died on Thursday at the ALCLA hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cerati was in coma since 2010, after suffering from a stroke soon after his concert in Venezuela. He died due to respiratory complications, according to reports.

Considered the most influential Latin American musician, Cerati, born on August 11, 1959, in Buenos Aires, formed his first band before he turned 10. He and Hector "Zeta" Bosio, bass player and Charly Alberti, drummer, formed the band Soda Stereo in 1982. Cerati was the guitarist and the lead singer of Soda. The band, said to be one of the most popular bands in the 1980s and 1990s in the Spanish speaking world, split up in 1997.

Afterwards, Cerati pursued a successful solo career. According to AP's report, some of the songs that Soda played were inspired by the melodies that Cerati recorded during his childhood. The band members of Soda came together for a farewell tour in 2007, three years before the fatal stroke.

Gustavo Barbalace, director at ALCLA hospital, has thanked Cerati's mother, Lilian, for being there for her son and for believing that he would return to life, one day. AP has quoted him as saying, "(Cerati's) mom is an example of a constant struggle. I wish there were more Lilians in this world."

During his solo career, Cerati worked with younger artists such as Columbian singer Shakira. She took to social media platform Twitter to pay her tribute to the legendary musician. BBC has quoted Shakira as saying on her Twitter page, "Gustavo, our most important song is yet to be written. I love you, my friend. And I know you love me."

Gustavo, aún nos queda por hacer la canción mas importante de todas... pic.twitter.com/EFMlxHsfva
— Shakira (@shakira) September 4, 2014

Paying his tribute to the Argentinean rock-star, Juanes said, as quoted by Columbia Reports, ""Sad day for music... may Gustavo Cerati rest in peace, my prayers are with him and his family."