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At 3:30 a.m. this Thursday, the musician Willie Salcedo Benavides passed away due to pulmonary complications derived from covid-19. Salcedo was admitted to the Cafam clinic on 93rd Street, in Bogotá.
Hernando Salcedo Benavides, as is his real name, was born in Corozal, Sucre, 66 years ago. In his teens, someone called him Willie and he stayed that way.
Salcedo is one of the youngest children of the famous Pedro Salcedo, creator of the music of The colored skirt, to which years later Wilson Choperena wrote the lyrics. In addition, he composed Corozal and Sincelejo Y Stereophonic, among many other hits recorded by national and international orchestras, such as the Billos Caracas Boys.
(Can read: Colombian musician Willie Salcedo fights against covid-19)
Willie Salcedo inherited all the musical talent of his father and became an exponent of the folklore of his native land, in one of the best percussionists in the country and a cultist of salsa, one of his favorite genres. The Cali Fair was one of his favorite dates.
In addition, he was a composer and producer for several record companies. He made the soundtrack to the popular novel Las Juanas, in 1997, with which he won several awards.
Salcedo Benavides had four children. Diana Gómez, his wife, wrote these words of farewell to the musician. Today I can give infinite thanks to God for the time he allowed me to share with you, for every moment we spent together. There are no words to describe the lack that you will make me but even though it is hard, the certainty that we will see each other again is greater, because it was God who promised us and he never lies. I trust that you are better than ever now, that you just got ahead of us.
I love you and I’ll love you forever.
(Also read: The 50 neighborhoods of Cali with the most sick from coronavirus)
He was also the artistic director of many Colombian singers, ensembles and orchestras. To his credit he registers more than 450 works recorded by his own orchestra and by different artists and groups.
Salcedo joined vallenato groups, renowned orchestras such as Ramón Ropain, the Candilejas Orchestra, La Tropibomba, La Onda Tres in its beginnings, Los 8 de Colombia, Joe Madrid, Alfredito Linares, La Colombia All Star and also as a musician he has accompanied international artists such as Tom Jomes, Julio Iglesias, Nelson Ned, Sabu, Paloma San Basilio, Leo Dan, Elio Roca, Ángeles Negros, Pasteles Verdes and Iracundos; and recently he recorded with Fonseca, Sin Ánimo de Lucro, Don Tetto, The Mills, La Triada, Angelo and in a tribute album to Maestro Rafael Escalona.
Lucho Salcedo, Willie’s brother, revealed last weekend that he had very severe pneumonia, that he was being treated and had not been able to respond to treatment. “We must leave everything in the hands of God and we must pray for the speedy recovery of my brother Willie,” he said.
CALI
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