Pio Leiva died this week, aged 88 and 10months, after succesfully completing a European tour. He was one of the artists who made up the ” Buena Vista Social Club”. This group took the love for cuban Music abroad, and infected the United States and Europe with their Cuban rhythm. The fact that Pio Leiva’s career lasted over 70years, but he was only internationally discovered in the 1990’s shows how much Cuba still has to offer in the way of Musical talent.
But there was another thing that this group has transmitted to thousands of people worldwide, and it was their will to live and have fun. If you google(Images) “Pio Leiva” you will see photos of an old but happy man, well dressed, smiling, smoking a cigar, and I know I’m not the only one who would like to die like that. He will be greatly missed, and his voice will bring nostalgic moments on more than one stereo in the world.