Just three days after the death of Buena Vista Social Club's Compay Segundo, the entertainment world bids goodbye to another legendary Cuban-born musician, Celia Cruz.
The 78-year-old Grammy-winner, who defected to the US in 1960, died of a brain tumour at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Her husband, trumpeter Pedro Knight, with whom Celia had celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on Monday, was at her side when she passed away, said her publicist.
Having launched her career in the 1950s with Afro-Cuban group La Sonora Matancera, nearly 70 albums later the septegenarian was still thrilling audiences with her energetic performances and inimitable image, donning the colourful wigs that became her trademark.
Her loss was felt immediately in the world of entertainment. Ruben Blades called her a "symbol of quality and strength", adding: "Celia could take any song and make it unforgettable." Meanwhile, the late vocalist's friend and fellow singer Marc Anthony remarked: "We are witnessing the end of an era. She is simply irreplaceable and it's just an honour to know that she was a part of my life."
Oscar-nominated Stand And Deliver actor Edward James Olmos has dedicated the 2003 Latino Film Festival, which opened on Wednesday, to the late diva. "During these 16 days we will celebrate her life and her music," he said. "She was a great lady and she was one of the greatest artists of the past century – and probably this one."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
