I am so sad to have just learned that this wonderful Basque folk singer passed away on Dec 1st. I became acquainted with his music in 2003, when my son and I attended the Basque festival in Elko, NV and I bought a CD there.
In 2006, Bob Dylan shared the stage with Mikel at the peace concert in Donastia (San Sebastian). Last January when my son visited Euskadi (the Basque Country in Spain), he was sad to find that Mikel didn't have any performances scheduled during that time.
Here's the obit, followed by some videos. I also added some photos that my son took last year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008...laboa-obituary