'Up until then, I made only fabulous things,' he told People in 1986 about his decision to record easy-listening standards for Heartland. Although he relished his success, the classically trained Zamfir was annoyed that it overshadowed his former reputation as the world's best pan flute player. Despite the criticism, the ads made Zamfir a household name and the flutist sold enough albums to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. The ads made some improbable statements about Zamfir's worldwide record sales and the easy-listening, instrumental arrangements of popular and classical songs struck some critics as cloying. Most North American music lovers were introduced to pan flute artist Gheorghe Zamfir in the mid-1980s, when he appeared in numerous late-night cable television advertisements for his albums on the Heartland record label. Addresses: Record company-Delta Entertainment Corporation, 1663 Sawtelle Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025. Education: Studied at the Bucharest Academy of Music.
Born on April 6, 1941, in Gaesti, Romania children: one son (with Susan Nichols) married to Marie-Noele Zamfir.
