Celia Cruz Dead At 78...

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

MIAMI (AFP) - Celia Cruz, the legendary Cuban-born singer hailed as the "Queen of Salsa" died at her New Jersey home, radio and television reported. Cruz was 78.

 

She had been operated for a brain tumor in November, and had been hospitalized on several occasions since.

 

 

Radio and television stations said her body would be brought to Miami where she is hailed as a national hero by the 700,000 strong Cuban exile community.

 

 

A vibrant and tireless performer, who would fire up her audience with her trademark shout of "Azucar" -- sugar -- she said only a few months ago she had no intention to give up singing.

 

 

She played a major role in promoting Cuban music internationally, and in February this year, she received her fifth Grammy for the best salsa recording of the year.

 

 

She studied at the Conservatory of Music in Havana, sang on Cuban radio programs and, in 1950, became the lead singer of the legendary Sonora Matancera.

 

 

She and the band left Cuba shortly before Castro took power and eventually settled in the United States. "Castro never forgave me," said Cruz, who was never allowed to return to her homeland.

 

 

In 1966 Cruz, known for her gaudy costumes, joined the Tito Puente band, and later recorded numerous solo albums. Among her latest hits is "La vida es un carnaval" -- Life is a carnival.

 

 

AZUCARRRRRRR!

[Guest justsoyouknow]

That sucks and all, but....

 

.......who?

[Guest Vitamin X]

GAH~!

 

MIS-INFORMED AMERICAN SCUM

 

I hate the fact that one of the greatest singers of all-time's death gets fewer attention and discussion here than Metallica's new shittyass CD.

 

Terrible, terrible. She was an icon, an inspiration to the many (and I mean MANY) Cubans here in Miami, and to all Latin singers as well. She was a great women who kept her energy going and she never had a downtime when it came to her music.

 

AAAAAZUCA~!

[Guest Ripper]

Whats even worse, I haven't seen it reported on the news here. I saw it on Telemundo and I don't know a lick of Spanish, so it took awhile for me to know that she was dead and that they weren't just doing a story on her. Damn shame.

[Guest IDrinkRatsMilk]

I have heard of her... though I don't recall ever hearing anything she did. Still a shame though.