Diomedes Diaz | Colombian singer, 56

Diomedes Diaz, 56, the best-known performer of Colombia's accordion-heavy vallenato music, has died.

Fredys Soccaras, mayor of Valledupar, the city where the singer-songwriter lived, told Caracol radio that Mr. Diaz died Sunday of a heart attack after being rushed to a hospital.

From a poor childhood on a farm near Colombia's Caribbean coast, Mr. Diaz rose to become one of the top-selling artists of the musical genre revered throughout Colombia. He was honored with a Latin Grammy for best vallenato album in 2010.

Mr. Diaz was also known for his off-stage excesses, including a lifelong battle with drugs and alcohol and a conviction for trying to cover up the overdose death of a fan at his home.

His death came three days after he released a new CD. - AP