Ricardo Baliardo, widely known as Manitas de Plata (Little Hands of Silver), was in the 1960s one of the most renowned flamenco guitarists in the world, and continues to be highly esteemed by aficionados of flamenco.

He was born on August 7, 1921, in a Gypsy (Gitano) caravan in Sète, southern France, into an extended family to which the members of the flamenco band, Gipsy Kings, also belong. He was the father of Manero Baliardo, Antonio De Plata and Tcha Baliardo.

Upon hearing him play in 1964, Pablo Picasso is said to have exclaimed that man is of greater worth than I am!

He died November 5, 2014 in Montpellier, France.