To any salseros out there;

| Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:51pm EDT

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian singer and composer Joe Arroyo, one of the leading lights of the Andean nation's music scene since the 1970s, died on Tuesday from multiple organ failure, a medical clinic said.

The death of the 55-year-old salsa singer, who had long struggled with a drug problem and diabetes, prompted mourning in the music-loving country and beyond.

Arroyo died at a clinic in the coastal city of Barranquilla where he had been admitted about a month ago after coming down with pneumonia.

He was best known outside Colombia for his song "Rebellion." It tells the story of an enslaved couple living in the Caribbean city of Cartagena in the 17th century.

The song became an unofficial battle song for the oppressed, analyzed by music theorists and sociologists.

Anyone who appreciates salsa knows at least ONE Joe Arroyo song. The queen of Salsa herself, Celia Cruz, dubbed him as the "male voice of salsa".

This one is arguably his greatest song (if you can excuse the over-dramatic 80's video);

...El Macaco & En Barranquilla me quedo






Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

Truly some passionate music!

Wow. I did not know he passed or had such serious health problems. As someone raised on salsa who still listens to salsa clasica on the regular, I am sorry to hear this. He was a legendary cantante!

En paz descanse, hermano.

[Edited 8/1/11 23:46pm]

Great links everyone!

I wasn't aware of Joe Arroyo health and personal struggles either. Wow, 55 years young.

RIP

R.I.P.