Cuban Queen Of Salsa Celia Cruz Dies

07/16/2003 10:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
LAUNCH Radio Networks

(7/16/03, 10 p.m. ET) -- Celia Cruz, one of the most important figures in Cuban music of the 20th century, died on Wednesday (July 16) at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey. "The Queen Of Salsa," as she was called, had a career that spanned more than 50 years. Cruz, who was 79, had been battling cancer.

Celia Cruz holds a special place in the world of Latin music. Her unique style and charismatic performances made her an ambassador of Latino culture. She earned awards not only from the music industry, but was given honorary doctorates from Yale University, Florida International University and Miami University. She was also awarded a National Medal Of Arts, the United States' highest honor for an artist, and even a star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame. Over the years streets in Miami, New York, Mexico and Costa Rica were named for the beloved star.

On Wednesday night, actor/musician Ruben Blades, a frequent collaborator and friend, told the Associated Press that Cruz was an icon. "Celia Cruz could take any song and make it unforgettable. She transcended the material." International pop and salsa star Marc Anthony issued a statement after hearing of Cruz's death which said, "We are witnessing the end of an era. She is simply irreplaceable and it's just an honor to know that she was a part of my life."

A flamboyant performer known as much for her outrageous costumes and wigs as for her booming voice, Cruz is widely credited with modernizing the tropical sounds of Cuban salsa. With her signature call of "azucaaaar," or "sugar," she was one of the most influential and distinctive voices in salsa, earning three Grammy awards and two Latin Grammys over the course of her career. The Latin Academy Of Recording Arts And Sciences released a statement which said, "One of Latin music's most respected and most revered vocalists, Celia Cruz was an icon of salsa, tropical and Latin jazz music. The legendary Queen Of Salsa brought the world to its dancing feet with her visceral vocals, infectious energy, and vibrant smile...The Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy have lost a very dear friend today, but her colorful spirit, uplifting music and inspiring passion will live on forever."

Originally from Havana, Cruz was one of 14 children. Her parents had hoped she would be a teacher, but in 1947, she enrolled in the National Music Conservatory Of Cuba. She became a star in Cuba when she joined the group La Sonora Mantancera. However, when Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, La Sonora Mantancera defected. Celia Cruz settled in New York in 1962 and married the group's trumpet player, Pedro Knight, that same year. She soon joined forces with Tito Puente and his band, touring and recording a series of albums. Next, her solo career took off when she began to record with the top names of '60s salsa, including Cheo Feliciano, Oscar D'Leon, Ray Barretto, Pete Conde, Johnny Pacheco, and others. She later toured with the Fania All Stars.

Cruz kept up a hectic touring schedule until very late in her life. She continued to win over new fans by continually teaming up with such various artists as Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick and David Byrne of Talking Heads. Her career was reinvigorated once again as audiences embraced her performances in the popular 1992 film, the Mambo Kings. She was loved and respected as much by today's artists as she was by her peers.

Cruz had undergone emergency surgery last December at New York's Presbyterian hospital after complaining of ill health. Though she would not disclose the details of her illness, it was believed that she had brain surgery. She recovered and returned to performing in recent months, including a national TV commercial for Dr. Pepper featuring Paulina Rubio.

Cruz was set to deliver a new CD, titled Regalo De Alma, in August.

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