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Obit: Compay Segundo

14 Jul 03 - 09:05 AM (#982874)
Subject: Obit: Compay Segundo
From: Peter T.

The cigar smoking genial gentleman, Compay Segundo, of Buena Vista Social Club, has just passed on at 95 (!) I had the pleasure of seeing one of his concerts a couple of years ago, which was wonderful. Funny to become world famous at 90(hope for us all)! Couldn't have happened to a more deserving bunch of people, including Compay.



yours,

Peter T.


14 Jul 03 - 09:30 AM (#982886)
Subject: RE: Obit: Compay Segundo
From: Brian Hoskin

Here's a report from the bbc news website:

Buena Vista maestro dies
Cuban musician Compay Segundo, who starred in Wim Wenders' film Buena Vista Social Club, has died in Havana aged 95.
The performer suffered from a severe kidney infection, his Spanish record company Dro-EastWest, said, and had to cancel a series of concerts planned for this summer around Europe.

Segundo, who played the clarinet and a Cuban string instrument called the tres, came to worldwide attention in 1999 with the release of Wenders' film, which followed the legendary Buena Vista Social Club musicians as they played in Cuba and abroad.

The soundtrack to the film sold more than four million copies around the world.

Segundo had been bedridden at his home in the Miramar district of Havana, according to local reports, where he was being looked after by a doctor and his family.

Born Francisco Repilado in Santiago in 1907, Segundo learned his musical skills in the 1920s, but did not pick up his nickname until the 1940s - Compay was slang for compadre and Segundo referred to his bass harmony voice.

His group, Compay Segundo y sus Muchachos, was formed in 1956 and was still active at the time of his death.

However, following the 1958 revolution, he disappeared from music to roll cigars for a living.

But he returned to acclaim in the late 1980s.

In 1996 he released a new album - Lo Mejor de la Vida (The best in life) - to mark his 90th birthday, and his 1999 album Calle Salud was critically acclaimed.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/entertainment/music/3064557.stm

Published: 2003/07/14 11:28:49 GMT

© BBC MMIII


14 Jul 03 - 11:57 AM (#983006)
Subject: RE: Obit: Compay Segundo
From: Steve Parkes

95, eh? I suppose that's nothing to complain about, especially after becoming a star at 90.
Rest in peace? No way - grab a harp and keep on playing!

Steve


14 Jul 03 - 12:24 PM (#983028)
Subject: Obit: Compay Segundo
From: John MacKenzie

At the ripe old age of 95 another one of the legends has gone, For those of us who enjoyed the Wim Wenders film of The Beuna Vista Social Club another chapter closes.
Born Francisco Repilado in 1907.
Thank you and Vaya con Dios.
Giok


--- Transferred from newer thread. ---
---Jeff (PA)---


14 Jul 03 - 01:00 PM (#983054)
Subject: RE: Obit: Compay Segundo
From: Peter T.

It is unusual for the BBC to be wrong (Tony Blair notwithstanding). The album was not the soundtrack of the film.

yours,

Peter T.


14 Jul 03 - 05:41 PM (#983276)
Subject: RE: Obit: Compay Segundo
From: Susanne (skw)

Only saw the film last year. To me Compay was the most memorable among the protagonists. Hope he'll enjoy some heavenly music (not to mention some pretty angels ...).


14 Jul 03 - 07:08 PM (#983356)
Subject: RE: Obit: Compay Segundo
From: GUEST,julie

¡ adios amigo !


15 Jul 03 - 03:59 AM (#983568)
Subject: RE: Obit: Compay Segundo
From: An Pluiméir Ceolmhar

Now if only he hadn't smoked all those cigars he mightn't have died so young!


15 Jul 03 - 04:25 AM (#983571)
Subject: RE: Obit: Compay Segundo
From: Escamillo

Compay Segundo was very dear to all Latinamericans. I hope he reserves for me a chair next to him and we will sing a cuban "son".

Un abrazo,
Andrés


15 Jul 03 - 06:09 PM (#984022)
Subject: RE: Obit: Compay Segundo
From: Ghirotondo

Right now on Italian television "Buena Vista social Club" is showing. I hope Compay and Puntillita, who died some times ago, will have a good time together in Musician Great Plains.
Hasta siempre, Compay!

Lanfranco


15 Jul 03 - 08:22 PM (#984110)
Subject: RE: Obit: Compay Segundo
From: Peter T.

Well, they laid Compay to rest, with it appears the whole population of Santiago de Cuba showing their respects here!

yours,

Peter T.