The Uruguayan singer-songwriter José “Pepe” Guerraformer member of The Olimareños, died on Thursday at the age of 80, weakened by cancer, his family and the production company AM reported in a statement. “For a long time he had been fighting a hard and stubborn fight against cancer, which he bravely faced and defeated. Sadly, his body could not tolerate the wear and tear and finally he left in peace, in his house and surrounded by his loved ones,” indicates the text cited by Uruguayan media. “In strict accordance with his will, no wake or public funeral ceremony will be held.”he adds.
Born in the city of Treinta y Tres, on the banks of the Olimar River, Guerra formed since 1960 and for three decades together with Braulio Lopez the duo The Olimareños, who went on to release nearly 50 albums around the world, obtaining Gold and Platinum recognition. In his repertoire, which offered a mix of folklore with native rhythms and also murga and political and social criticism, among other songs, “Los Orientales”, “Orejano”, “ Nuestro Camino ” and “Cielo del ’69” stand out. But surely the song that represents them the most is “A Don José”, composed by the poet Ruben Lena and declared the popular and cultural anthem of the Uruguayan people by law in 2003.
Faithful representatives of the popular culture of Uruguay, The Olimareños They were banned during the dictatorship of their country (1973-1985) for raising voices of protest against repression in some of their lyrics, and the duo went into exile to Spain and Mexico. Upon their return to Uruguay in 1984, hundreds of thousands of people welcomed them in an iconic recital at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo. When they separated in 1990, they continued their careers as soloists, but they reunited in 2009.
“Our songs have been passed down through generations: from grandparents to children and from children to grandchildren,” Guerra told the Uruguayan newspaper. The country in 2019, the year in which the duo returned to the stage for the last time.
In 2006, Guerra could have been one of the winners of the New Year’s Eve Lottery jackpot, which awarded $1.6 million. But his wife said that she lost the winning ticket, which she had received from a fan at a recital, according to AFP at the time.
Source: AFP
