The Uruguayan singer-songwriter José “Pepe” Guerraformer member of The Olimareñosdied this Thursday at the age of 80 due to cancer.
This was confirmed by the artist’s family in a statement, in which they explained that Guerra “for a long time 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 left peacefully, at home and surrounded by his loved ones.
After hearing the news of his death, the mayor of Montevideo dedicated a farewell message to him: “The departmental government sends the most heartfelt tribute to his family and to the Uruguayan people who will always carry him in their hearts, who today, as he knew how to sing : “Ta crying“.
Since 1960, and for three decades, Guerra was part of the duo Los Olimareños with Braulio López. They recorded nearly 50 albums around the world for which they received dozens of Gold and Platinum records.
Among the songs of the duo, which mixes rhythms folklore, murga and political and social criticism, “Los Orientales”, “Orejano”, “Our Way” and “Cielo del ’69” stand out. However, one of the duo’s most remembered songs is “To Don José“, composed by the poet Rubén Lena, who was declared the popular and cultural anthem of the Uruguayan people by law in 2003.
During the dictatorship that hit Uruguay between 1973 and 1985, Los Olimareños were banned for their lyrics protesting against repression. During that period they went into exile in Spain and Mexico.
They returned to Uruguay in 1984 and brought together thousands of people for a legendary recital at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo. The duo split in 1990 and both artists continued with their solo careers. They played together again in 2009.
I continued reading:
