I'm surprised and delighted as well. But he deserves it. Paco was the extraordinary combination of talent and hard work. He was an extreme outlier in both those things, a technical virtuoso with a musical soul. He was true to his flamenco roots, but he was an innovator as well, playing with countless artists from different genres, and helping flamenco music become popular worldwide.

He was a legend and without a doubt one of the greatest musicians of the century. May he rest in peace.