Pepe Guerra, legend of Uruguayan well-liked music, died

José “Pepe” Guerra, member of the duo Los Olimareños, died on Thursday, June 13, 2024 in Montevideo, Uruguay

The Uruguayan singer-songwriter José “Pepe” Guerra, former member of Los Olimareños, died on Thursday on the age of 80, weakened by most cancers, his household and the manufacturing firm AM reported in a press release. “For a very long time he had been combating a tough and cussed struggle in opposition to most cancers, which he bravely confronted and defeated. Sadly, his physique couldn’t tolerate the damage and tear and eventually he left in peace, in his home and surrounded by his family members,” signifies the textual content cited by Uruguayan media. “In strict accordance together with his will, no wake or public funeral ceremony will likely be held,” he provides.

Born within the metropolis of Treinta y Tres, on the banks of the Olimar River, Guerra shaped the duo Los Olimareños, along with Braulio López, for 3 many years, since 1960, which launched almost 50 albums around the globe, acquiring Gold and Silver awards. Platinum. In his repertoire, which provided a mixture of folklore with native rhythms and in addition murga and political and social criticism, amongst different songs, “Los Orientales”, “Orejano”, “ Nuestro Camino ” and “Cielo del ’69” stand out. However certainly the music that represents them essentially the most is “A Don José”, composed by the poet Rubén Lena and declared the favored and cultural anthem of the Uruguayan individuals by regulation in 2003.

The songs of Los Olimareños “have been handed down via generations: from grandparents to kids and from kids to grandchildren,” stated Guerra.

Devoted representatives of Uruguayan well-liked tradition, Los Olimareños had been banned throughout their nation’s dictatorship (1973-1985) for elevating voices of protest in opposition to repression in a few of their lyrics, and the duo went into exile to Spain and Mexico. Upon their return to Uruguay in 1984, lots of of 1000’s of individuals welcomed them in an iconic recital on the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo. After they separated in 1990, they continued their careers as soloists, however they reunited in 2009.

“Our songs have been handed down via generations: from grandparents to kids and from kids to grandchildren,” Guerra instructed the Uruguayan newspaper El País in 2019, the 12 months through which the duo returned to the stage for the final time.

In 2006, Guerra might have been one of many winners of the New 12 months’s Eve Lottery jackpot, which awarded $1.6 million. However his spouse stated that she misplaced the successful ticket, which she had acquired from a fan at a recital, in keeping with AFP on the time.

Supply: AFP