Leonardo Paniagua

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Leonardo Panigua is one of the Dominican Republic's most popular bachata musicians. Paniagua emerged from obscurity to overnight stardom in the 1970s when he recorded his first 45rpm record, "Amada, amante" for Discos Guarachita.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, Leonardo Paniagua was the best selling bachata artist. With his soft voice and romantic style, he appealed beyond bachata's usual working class audience and was one of the first of what would become a movement of romantic bachateros who helped the style emerge into international popularity.

Paniagua still tours and performs today in the USA, Europe, and of course the Dominican Republic.