The Covid-19 was killed this Saturday night by singer Vinicio Antonio Franco Rodríguez, known artistically as Vinicio “Mambo” Franco. He was admitted to Ramón de Lara Hospital last week for the deadly virus that ended his life at the age of 87.
Vinicio Franco was born in Puerto Plata on September 14, 1933. As a child he showed an interest in music. He was a percussionist, pianist and skillfully performed the tour. One stood out, besides the meringue like interpreter of bolero and the sauce.
His artistic development began in Santo Domingo in 1952 and in 1957 he recorded his first album for Antonio Morel’s orchestra on Radhamés Aracena’s “Guarachita” label. He was the lead voice of the San Jose de la Veu Dominicana Super Orchestra, and was for many years in the orchestra of maestro Rafael Solano and was part of Johnny Ventura’s Combo Show.
Franco had a close friendship with the master Rafael Solano. He was in his orchestra for 36 years, so most of his career was spent alongside the lauded pianist and composer.
Emblematic meringues marked his career. Among others, he will always be remembered for songs like “Apágame la vela”, by Benvingut Brens, “Ah, jo no sé, no” by Johnny Ventura and Mundito Espinal, “Sina Juanica”, meringue by Félix López or la salvi ” Listen Girl “by Alexis Camilo Morel.
Vinicio Franco recorded 460 meringues, a genre with which he managed to establish himself as a performer. His songs were promoted in New York, Curaçao, Argentina, Miami and Venezuela, among other international stages. His music was recorded, in addition to the “Guarachita” label by Ansonia and Kubaney, among others.
It shared in the scene with artists like Joseíto Mateo, Francis Santana, Alberto Beltrán, among others figures of the popular song.
Details of the funeral honors are not yet known.
The legendary artist left a musical legacy, and here we shared some titles with which he stood out.