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Cuban music stars who deceased at age 79

Here are 8 famous musicians from Cuba died at 79:

Alberto Herrera y Franchi

Alberto Herrera y Franchi (September 1, 1874 Cuba-March 18, 1954 Havana) was a Cuban personality.

He was a politician, lawyer, and professor who served as the Minister of Justice and Public Instruction, and as the Rector of the University of Havana. Herrera y Franchi was also an accomplished author, historian, and journalist, who wrote several books and articles on Cuban history, politics, and society. He was a prominent figure in the Cuban Revolution of 1933 and played a key role in the drafting of the Cuban Constitution of 1940. Alberto Herrera y Franchi is remembered in Cuba as a progressive thinker and a tireless advocate for social justice, education, and democracy.

Herrera y Franchi was born into a wealthy family and received his education at some of the most prestigious institutions in Cuba and abroad. He received his law degree from the University of Havana in 1902 and went on to complete his Ph.D. at the University of Madrid in 1908. He then returned to Cuba to teach law, economics, and history at various institutions, including the University of Havana, where he became rector in 1925.

In addition to his academic achievements, Herrera y Franchi was also involved in politics. He was a member of the Liberal Party and actively campaigned for social justice and democratic reforms. He served as Minister of Justice and Public Instruction under President Alfredo Zayas in 1925, and again under President Carlos Mendieta in 1936. He was also a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Cuban Constitution of 1940, which was one of the most progressive constitutions in Latin America at the time.

Throughout his life, Herrera y Franchi was a prolific writer, publishing numerous articles, essays, and books on a wide range of topics. His publications include "La Universidad y la Revolución Mexicana", "El Congreso Socialista Interamericano", and "The Problem of Cuba and Its Relations with the United States". His historical works focused on the Cuban War of Independence and the struggle for Cuban independence.

After his death in 1954, Herrera y Franchi was honored with a state funeral and his legacy continued to shape Cuban intellectual and political discourse for decades to come.

Wifredo Lam

Wifredo Lam (December 8, 1902 Sagua La Grande-September 11, 1982 Paris) was a Cuban personality.

He was a prominent painter and printmaker known for his unique style that combined elements of Cubism and Surrealism with Afro-Caribbean iconography. Lam's work often explored themes of cultural identity, spirituality, and political commentary. He spent much of his early career in Europe, where he met and collaborated with artists such as Pablo Picasso and André Breton. Later, he returned to Cuba and became an important figure in the country's artistic community. Lam's legacy continues to influence and inspire contemporary artists around the world.

Lam's mixed heritage of Chinese, Spanish, and African ancestry was a significant influence on his art. He often incorporated African deities and symbols into his paintings, which reflected his interest in the spiritual beliefs of his ancestors. During the 1930s, Lam was actively involved in leftist politics and was a member of the Communist Party of Spain. His political views also found their way into his art, particularly in works that addressed issues of social injustice and colonial oppression. One of his most famous works, "The Jungle," depicts a chaotic and mystical scene of hybrid creatures, influenced by Afro-Cuban Santería religion. In addition to painting, Lam also worked on illustrations for books and magazines, and even designed costumes and sets for ballet productions. Today, his work is featured in major museums and galleries around the world, and he is considered one of the most significant artists of the 20th century.

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Desiderio Alberto Arnaz II

Desiderio Alberto Arnaz II (March 8, 1894 Santiago de Cuba-May 31, 1973 Miami) a.k.a. Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y Alberni II was a Cuban politician. He had two children, Desi Arnaz and Connie Arnaz.

In addition to his political career, Desiderio Alberto Arnaz II was a musician and bandleader. He studied at the University of Santiago and later moved to the United States where he formed his own orchestra. In the 1930s, he became a popular performer on radio and appeared in several Hollywood films, including the musical "Too Many Girls." Arnaz is perhaps best known for co-starring with his wife, Lucille Ball, in the classic 1950s television sitcom "I Love Lucy." The show, which they co-created, was a groundbreaking success and made them both household names. Arnaz also served as the executive producer of the show, which helped to establish the modern television sitcom format. After his divorce from Ball in 1960, Arnaz continued to work in television and film, and was also involved in business and investments. He passed away in 1973 and is remembered as a pioneering figure in the entertainment industry.

Desiderio Alberto Arnaz II was also a World War II veteran, having served in the United States Army. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his service in the military. Arnaz was also a businessman and entrepreneur, having founded his own production company, Desilu Productions, with Lucille Ball in 1950. The company went on to produce many successful television shows, including "Star Trek" and "The Untouchables." Arnaz was a proponent of advancing Latin representation in entertainment and worked to introduce Latin rhythms and music into American pop culture. He also advocated for better working conditions for television production crews and was instrumental in the development of the three-camera setup used for television sitcoms. Arnaz was posthumously inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1986 for his contributions to the industry.

Lázaro Ros

Lázaro Ros (May 11, 1925 Havana-February 8, 2005) a.k.a. Lazaro Ros or Ros, Lázaro was a Cuban singer.

His most important albums: Orisha Ayé. Shangó, Yamayá and .

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Chico O'Farrill

Chico O'Farrill (October 28, 1921 Havana-June 27, 2001 New York City) also known as Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill, Chico O'Farril or The Duke Ellington of Latin Jazz was a Cuban composer, music arranger, conductor and trumpeter. He had two children, Georgina O'Farrill and Arturo O'Farrill.

His albums: Carambola, Nine Flags, Cuban Blues: The Chico O'Farrill Sessions, Heart of a Legend, Cuban Blues: The Chico O'Farrill Sessions (disc 2), Fiebre Tropical and Spanish Rice. Genres he performed include Blues, Big Band, Bebop, Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin jazz and Mambo.

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Inés Rodena

Inés Rodena (April 20, 1905 Havana-April 15, 1985 Miami) was a Cuban screenwriter.

She is credited with being one of the pioneers of the telenovela, having written several popular soap operas for radio and television. Her most famous work is the telenovela "Esmeralda," which has been adapted and remade numerous times in different countries. Rodena had a prolific career and wrote over 50 telenovelas, many of which became huge successes in Latin America and beyond. Her work is known for its romanticism and melodrama, and is considered to have played a crucial role in the development of the telenovela as a popular form of entertainment. In addition to her screenwriting work, Rodena was also an actress and director, and was one of the first women in Cuba to work in these roles in the film industry.

Rodena's interest in the arts began at an early age. She studied piano and opera singing before pursuing a career in writing and film. Her first screenplay was for the film "Los Duendes de la Noche" in 1937. She later became a prolific writer for Radio Cadena Suaritos, where she produced and directed radio dramas. Her success on the radio led to her becoming a sought-after screenwriter for television in the 1950s and 1960s. Her work not only entertained audiences, but also reflected the social issues of the time, such as poverty, social conflicts, and women's rights.

In addition to "Esmeralda," some of Rodena's other famous telenovelas include "María Teresa," "Destino la Gloria," and "El Derecho de Nacer." She won numerous awards, including the National Novel Prize of Cuba, and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in Miami in 2002. Her legacy lives on in the telenovelas that continue to captivate audiences around the world.

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Santiago Álvarez

Santiago Álvarez (March 18, 1919 Cuba-May 20, 1998 Havana) also known as Santiago Alvarez, Santiago Alvarez Roman or Santiago Álvarez Román was a Cuban film director, screenwriter and film producer.

Alvarez was a prominent figure in the Cuban film industry and played a significant role in the development of revolutionary cinema. He began his career as a journalist and went on to produce over 700 documentaries and newsreels. Alvarez was a master of montage and his films often featured footage of political events intercut with scenes of everyday life in Cuba. His most famous work is the 1968 documentary "Now!", which chronicled the Black Power movement in the United States. Alvarez also collaborated with Cuban musicians such as Silvio Rodríguez and Pablo Milanés, producing music videos that became popular throughout Latin America. He was awarded the National Film Award of Cuba in 1989 for his contributions to Cuban cinema.

Throughout his career, Santiago Álvarez was known for his political activism through his films. He was a member of the Communist Party of Cuba and used his films as a means of promoting socialist ideals and criticizing US imperialism. In the 1960s, he became involved in the Third Cinema movement which aimed to create films that were both politically conscious and artistically innovative.

One of his earliest and most notable films was "Now!" which documented the struggle for civil rights in the United States. The film had a significant impact on the Black Power movement and was widely circulated among activists.

In addition to his political work, Álvarez also had a passion for music and incorporated it into many of his films. He collaborated with renowned musicians such as Leo Brouwer and Sara González, and created music videos for some of Cuba's most popular songs.

Today, Santiago Álvarez is remembered as a pioneer of revolutionary cinema and is recognized for his contributions to the development of Cuban film. His films continue to be studied and celebrated for their social and political relevance.

He died caused by parkinson's disease.

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Mario Coyula Cowley

Mario Coyula Cowley (June 16, 1935 Havana-July 7, 2014 Havana) also known as Mario Coyula was a Cuban architect and actor. He had one child, Miguel Coyula.

Mario Coyula Cowley was best known for his contributions to the field of architecture in Cuba. He served as the Director of the Urban Planning Department of Havana from 1969 to 1991, overseeing the development of numerous urban projects in the city. Coyula was also a prominent figure in the preservation of Havana's historic architecture, and played a key role in the city's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. In addition to his work in architecture, Coyula was also a talented actor, appearing in several notable Cuban films throughout the 1960s and 70s. He was a respected cultural figure in Cuba and received numerous awards during his lifetime, including the National Architecture Award in 2011.

Mario Coyula Cowley was born in Havana in 1935, the son of a Cuban diplomat. He graduated from the University of Havana's School of Architecture in 1959, and later completed postgraduate studies in urban planning at the Moscow Civil Engineering Institute. In addition to his work in Havana, he also served as a visiting scholar and lecturer at universities around the world, including in the United States, Spain, and Mexico.

Coyula was passionate about preserving Havana's architectural heritage, and was an advocate for the restoration of the city's historic buildings. He was known for his strong opinions and often criticized government policies that he felt were detrimental to Havana's urban landscape. In his later years, he became a vocal critic of the city's rapid development and the proliferation of high-rise buildings that he believed were out of step with Havana's architectural traditions.

As an actor, Coyula appeared in several films, including Tomás Gutiérrez Alea's "Memories of Underdevelopment" (1968) and Humberto Solás's "Lucía" (1968), both of which are considered classics of Cuban cinema. He also had a small role in the Hollywood film "Che!" (1969), directed by Richard Fleischer and starring Omar Sharif and Jack Palance.

Despite his many accomplishments in both architecture and film, Coyula remained humble and unassuming throughout his life. He was widely admired for his intelligence, creativity, and dedication to his work, and his contributions continue to have a lasting impact on Cuban culture and society.

He died caused by cancer.

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