At 67 years of age, after suffering a heart attack, Ismael Rivera's firstborn son died, remembered for being 'older sonero' of salsa. According to sources close to the family, Rivera Junior had a heart attack while in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant located in the tourism sector of Isla Verde in Carolina, a city near San Juan, Puerto Rico. Son of Virginia Fuentes and the salsero, Ismael Rivera Jr. was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, on December 10, 1954. Like his father, he dedicated himself to music and since 1977 he was part of the Rafael Cortijo Combo, the same group that his father was in.
According to what the source confirmed to Agencia Efe, the man was in his car when he began to feel unwell. Moments later he passed away. “I just lost one of my best brothers,” said the source who spoke to that media outlet. “Another colleague who leaves us. We will miss you Maelo, we have your music and the memory of your affectionate treatment always. Rest in peace brother,” said his colleague, Gilberto Santa Rosa, recognized as “The gentleman of salsa”. Ismael collaborated with Santarosa on the song 'Bailadores', a song that composes the album 'Colegas'.
His cousin Moncho Rivera reported, in an interview with the media Primera Hora, that the son of the 'Sonero Mayor' died “in the company of his wife and friends”. “It was very regrettable, the family is very affected, and so am I (...) He lived intensely, he lived as he wanted, and I will always remember him as my eldest cousin. He took care of me and helped my mother in my upbringing,” he explained.
Santarosa was joined by Richie Bastar, musician of the Puerto Rico salsa orchestra El Gran Combo, who also mourned the musician's death. “La Salsa is in mourning, may Ismael Rivera Jr. son of El Sonero Mayor rest in Paz, my condolences to his family and fans,” Bastar said on his social networks.
The news also hit Colombian musicians. The Niche Group, through its social networks, highlighted the importance of the artist in the genre. “We mourn the passing of Ismael Rivera Jr. son of 'Sonero mayor', who continued his father's legacy leaving an important mark on Salsa. Many forces for their families, followers, friends and our Puerto Rican brothers,” commented the national orchestra.
“Losing a child, losing a friend, is not easy. Ismaelito was like Andicito's brother, his departure affects me and many people. My condolences to the family. I want them. I'm here for anything. May he rest in peace, it is read on the social networks of Andy Montañez.
Ismael had the opportunity to be the male voice of the album “El Sueño del Maestro”. Rivera son recorded the production “Fruto Humano”, of which songs such as “Bronze Wall” stand out, which is precisely dedicated to his father. He was in the Cortijo and Su Bonche group and worked in the orchestras of Francisco “Kako” Bastar, Los Hijos de la Salsa, El Combo de Siempre and ABC (Arte Boricua Cultura) by Jesús Cepeda, son of the legendary Puerto Rican musician and “father” of the native genres of la bomba and plena, Rafael Cepeda.
Likewise, after participating in these groups, Rivera released the album “La Leyenda Sigue” and then, together with the children of salseros Andy Montañez and Pellín Rodríguez, they presented the album “Los hijos de los celebres”. His voice sounded on the songs “El charlatán” and “El sazón de abuela” in the project “100 Years of Lito Peña: A Musical Footprint”, dedicated to the also legendary Puerto Rican musician and director of the Pan American Orchestra, in which Ismael Rivera Sr. participated.
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