The iconic musician Javier Martínez He died at the age of 78 this Saturday afternoon, as confirmed by those around him on social networks. In the last few hours, concern had been generated about his state of health, aggravated by a domestic accident that forced him to be hospitalized in a sanatorium in Buenos Aires.
Singer, drummer and composer, he stood out as the leader of the remembered band Manal and became into a true icon of Argentine rockin which he participated since its genesis.
«Right now I feel that I must communicate with the followers of my brother Javier. For me always: my brother. For you, his friends, his fans. He is in very serious health. If it weren’t like that, I would surely remain silent. But given the circumstances I am making the situation public. He is admitted to intensive care at IMAC, Avda. Díaz Vélez,” his sister had reported this Friday.
Finally, today he used the musician’s Facebook account again to confirm the sad news: «I am Dora Alicia Martínez Suárez, Javier’s sister. I regret to inform you that my brother passed away today.”.
“On Sunday, May 5, between 4 and 7 p.m., at the Guerrieri House on 900 Forest Avenue, we will accompany him on his journey to Eternity forever and ever,” he added about the place where his remains will be said goodbye.
Manal, since the beginning of Argentine rock
Although he joined other groups such as Los Secuaces and Los Beatniks, Martínez went down in history for forming with Alejandro Medina and Claudio Gabis the first blues group in Spanish: Manal.
The band released the first single of the songs in 1968 What a pity you give me/To be another manwhile the following year he published No kid/I need a love and in 1970 Tomato juice/Rivadavia Avenue.
Everything was happening while Argentine rock was taking its first steps, with other incipient artists still unknown to the big scene such as Moris, Miguel Abuelo, Tanguito, Pappo, Litto Nebbia with Los Gatos and Gustavo Santaolalla with Arco Iris.
Manal, after dissolving in 1971, reunited its protagonists again in 1980when they released a new album and performed a series of successful and massive live shows, under the roof of the legendary Obras stadium.
The experience as a soloist
As a soloist, in 1983 he released southern sun and in the ’90s Currents and swing (later reissued as Enough of the idiots). In 2016 there was an important Manal meeting organized by businessman Jorge “Corcho” Rodríguez, which included a show at his private club Red House, a live album, a DVD and a luxurious photo book.
