The legendary merengue player Vinicio Franco, who had been hospitalized for a week at the 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 meringue titans, with songs such as “Apagame la vela”, “Oye Nena” and “Los Algodones”, according to Listín Diario
“My father died, we were confirmed from the hospital, we thank the Dominican people for their prayers and interest,” Alexis Franco told Listín Diario.
His wife, Florencia Rosario, has a broken heart, she was speechless, crying, when she was talking to Reportín Diario reporters, because she knows that “we have always been together …”. Vinicio had six children.
The tropical artist recorded over 460 meringues in his career years, nuanced by glorious years in his voice with first-rate orchestras after the middle of the twentieth century.
Johnny Ventura was the first to react in statements to Listín Diario: “The history of merengue loses one of its best cultists, unfortunately, a refined singer, with an almost perfect, long-lasting tuning. I lost one of the leading meringue singers in history. My companion 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. “Stop the candle”, meringue written by Bienvenido Brens and “Hey babe” by Alexis Camilo Morel, were very well received.
Also known are “Gallito pinto”, “Alevántate”, “La pela de Juana”, “Dolores”, “To the dark”, “Dreaming”, “El pichoncito”, “The pin”, “Siña Juanica”, “Message”, “My owner”, “Firewood”, “La yuca”, “La maricutana”, among others that decades ago made the whole Dominican people dance.
Vinicio Franco recorded 66 years of career, in which he was a contemporary of Francis Santana, Joseíto Mateo, Luis Vásquez and a etc.
Vinicio Franco was founded in the entertainment center “Recreo de Turismo” in 1952. This date marks an artistic trajectory of great impact in the history of folk art.
Vinicio was the lead singer of the San José Super Orchestra of La Voz Dominicana, singing on television with that musical group.
He was part of the Johnny Ventura Combo Show. He participated in the recording of the song “Ah, I don’t know, no”, written by Johnny Ventura and Mundito Espinal, which won a gold record for its voluminous sales.
He worked with Rafael Solano’s orchestra for years making presentations throughout the country and in several countries on the continent.
He participated in recordings with the famous musician’s orchestra for the Kubaney label, with his version of “Siña Juanica”, a meringue by Félix López with Armando Beltré and Rico López, being a musical success.
Vinicio Franco made recordings, always playing meringue, for Ansonia in New York.
On stage, it is noted that he spent a long season singing with his band at the prestigious Hotel Casa de Campo in La Romana.
Many countries were delighted with his voice. Venezuela, Curaçao, Colombia, Argentina, New York, Miami and several cities of the North American Union appreciated him with his wide repertoire.