Singer Trini Lopez, whose global smash “If I Had a Hammer” nailed down the No. 3 spot on Billboard’s pop charts in 1963 and also starred in “The Dirty Dozen,” died Tuesday of complications of the coronavirus, Variety reported. He was 83.
Palm Springs Life magazine first reported his death.
Lopez’s other hits included “Lemon Tree,” Michael,” “The Bramble Bush,” and “I’m Coming Home, Cindy.”
Born Trinidad Lopez III in Dallas on May 15, 1937, Lopez’s parents were both from Mexico. He began playing in bands when he was 15 and signed with Columbia Records in 1958, Variety reported. After an unsuccessful run with King Records, Lopez signed with Frank Sinatra’s Reprise records in 1963.
His debut album, “Trini Lopez at Pj’s” included a cover of Pete Seeger’s folk classic, “If I Had a Hammer.” The song topped the charts in several countries and vaulted to No. 3 on the U.S. charts.
Lopez also acted in Robert Aldrich’s 1967 film, “The Dirty Dozen,” where he played the character of Pedro Jiminez and sang “Bramble Brush.”