Legendary merenguero Vinicio Franco, who was hospitalized for a week in Ramón de Lara hospital for Covid-19, died on Saturday, his son Alexis Franco confirmed. He was 87 years old.
The singer was known as one of the merengue titans, with songs like “Apagame la vela”, “Oye Nena” and “Los Algodones”, according to Listín Diario’s data.
“Daddy died, they confirmed us from the hospital, we thank the Dominican people for their prayers and their interest,” Alexis Franco told Listín Diario.
His wife Florencia Rosario is heartbroken, she was speechless, sobbing, when she spoke to Listín Diario reporters, because she knows that “we were always together …”. Vinicio had six children.
The tropical artist recorded over 460 meringues in his career, nuanced by glorious years in his voice with first-class orchestras after the mid-20th century.
Johnny Ventura was the first to respond in a statement to Listín Diario: “The history of the merengue unfortunately loses one of its best cultists, a refined singer, with an almost perfect tuning, long lasting. Merengue of all history. My compadre for others, I am the godfather of his first daughter and I deeply regret his death ”.
The artist was born in Puerto Plata in 1933. His first recording was made in 1957 with the Antonio Morel Orchestra. “Turn off the candle”, merengue written by Bienvenido Brens and salve “Hey babe”, by Alexis Camilo Morel, were very well received.
Also known are the ‘Gallito pinto’, ‘Alevántate’, ‘La pela de Juana’, ‘Dolores’,’ To the dark ‘,’ Dreaming ‘,’ El pichoncito ‘,’ The pin ‘,’ Siña Juanica ‘,’ Message “,” Dueña de me “,” Firewood “,” La yuca “,” La maricutana “, among others that made the whole Dominican people dance decades ago.
Vinicio Franco recorded 66 years of career, in which he was a contemporary of Francis Santana, Joseíto Mateo, Luis Vásquez and a tall etc.
Vinicio Franco started in 1952 in the entertainment center «Recreo de Turismo». That date marks an artistic trajectory with great impact in the history of popular art.
Vinicio was the titular singer of the San José Super Orchestra in La Voz Dominicana and performed with that music group on television.
He was part of the Johnny Ventura Combo Show. He took part in the recording of the song “Ah, I don’t know, no” written by Johnny Ventura and Mundito Espinal, which won a gold disc for its extensive sales.
With Rafael Solano’s orchestra he worked for many years to give presentations throughout the national territory and in different countries on the continent.
He took part in recordings with the renowned musician orchestra for the Kubaney label, where his version of “Siña Juanica”, a merengue by Félix López with Armando Beltré and Rico López, was a musical success.
Vinicio Franco made recordings, always with meringues, for the Ansonia label in New York.
On stage it is striking that he performed for a long season with his musical group in the prestigious hotel Casa de Campo in La Romana.
Many countries were delighted with his voice. Venezuela, Curaçao, Colombia, Argentina, New York, Miami and various cities of the North American Union appreciated him with his wide repertoire.