He seems native latino (indian roots background) but was born and dead in the states. He dies this year, on August 8th, I think. I think a  fine day to die, in the summer. He was in his 80s, early 80s. He discovered fame on the late, after flopping his US career when no one cared about him in the 60s or 70s. He became huge in south africa and learned it only decades later. Australia and NZ also gave him quite a bit of fame.