“I don’t like to celebrate such a thing, but I have to accept it. I have never been a lover of much partying, but I will be calm in my house with my daughters and my grandchildren,” said the percussionist and orchestra director, who has four children – three girls. and a boy, six grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Born in Coamo, in the south of Puerto Rico, on May 6, 1924, Rosario took his first steps in music as a member of Conjunto Coamex and later defined himself by the timbale, inspired by the style of Tito Puente, after seeing him play in the famous New York ballroom The Palladium.
Possibly the oldest active artist in the world
“I never thought I would reach 100 years old. I was doing well until I turned 96. I was born in a very poor family, I never knew about birthdays, cakes or anything like that. At 90 I was working well, but when they brought me a party to celebrate 96 years, that’s when I said, wow, things are going to take a long time,” he said.
Despite his longevity, the only physical limitation that is reflected in ‘Míster Afinque’, one of several nicknames for Rosario, is his walking, which he sometimes has to do with the assistance of one or two people, and the use of devices. small ones in your ears to improve your hearing.
Even with the mobility problem, Rosario continues playing his inseparable timpani and directing his orchestra, whose feat must be considered to enter the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest active artist in the world.
“I have always been a healthy person, but it is not a question of whether I am healthy and reach this age because I am healthy, but I am healthy because it is God’s will,” said the faithful believer.
