Well-known salseros mourn death Puerto Rican singer Ismael Rivera son

San Juan, 20 Mar Prominent salsa figures, including Andy Montañez and La Sonora Ponceña, expressed their regret this Sunday after the death of Puerto Rican singer Ismael Rivera son, firstborn of the legendary salsero of the same name. On one occasion, Rivera son, as well as Andicito, one of Montañez's sons, and “Puchi” Rodríguez, son of the late singer Pellín Rodríguez, recorded the album “Los hijos de los celebres”. “Losing a child, losing a friend, is not easy. Ismaelito was like Andicito's brother, his departure affects me and many people. My condolences to the family. I want them. I'm here for anything. RIP,” Montañez said on his social media. For its part, Sonora Ponceña, one of the most deeply rooted groups of the tropical genre, joined the mourning of Rivera son, who died on Saturday at the age of 67 after enjoying a walk with his partner and several friends until he began to feel ill in health and die of a suspected heart attack. “Once again we are mourning the sudden death of Ismael Rivera Jr (QEPD),” said the group, led by the legendary Enrique “Papo” Lucca, on its official Facebook account. “Lucca and all the staff who make up Sonora Ponceña express their sincere condolences to their family in this difficult time they are facing and may the Almighty give them the strength to endure it... our prayers are with you,” the orchestra added in its message. In turn, the Niche Group of Colombia also joined the messages of condolence to the family of Rivera Jr., who is survived by his sons Ismael and Marcos. “We regret the death of Ismael Rivera Jr. son of 'Sonero mayor', who continued his father's legacy leaving an important mark on salsa,” the Colombian group said. “A lot of strength for their families, followers, friends and our Puerto Rican brothers,” the group abounded. At the same time, the Rafael Cepeda Foundation & Hermanos Cepeda Folkloric Group, known for highlighting the indigenous musical genres of la bomba and la plena, also joined the duel Rivera son, known as “El Heredero”. “Jesús Cepeda, together with the Cepeda-Brenes family, joins the grief inflicted on the family of our great Ismael Rivera Jr. for his sudden departure. Our sincerest condolences and solidarity embrace to their families and loved ones,” he said. Son of Virginia Fuentes y Rivera, known as “El Sonero Mayor”, Rivera son was born on December 10, 1954 in Santurce, district of San Juan and well-known musical and artistic area. Taking advantage of the experience he saw and heard from his father, in 1977 Rivera Jr. joined the Combo de Cortijo, directed by Rafael Cortijo, his father's musical teacher. In this group, Rivera son had the opportunity to be the male voice of the album “El Sueño del Maestro”, while Fe Cortijo was the female performer. Then, Rivera Jr. recorded the production “Human Fruit”, in which the theme “Bronze Wall”, dedicated to his father, stands out. In addition, he participated in the Cortijo and Su Bonche group and worked in the orchestras of Francisco “Kako” Bastar, Los Hijos de la Salsa, El Combo de Siempre and ABC (Arte Boricua Cultura) by Jesús Cepeda. Rivera hijo also participated in the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Christmas special “Sonó, Tite Curet sounded” (2011), on the song “Pa' los caseríos” with Fe Cortijo, Rafael Cortijo hijo and Juan Pablo Díaz with the La PVC orchestra. Since October 2020, the salsa genre has lost several prominent Puerto Rican artists, such as Roberto Roena, Cano Estremera, Tito Rojas, Paquito Guzmán, Tempo Alomar, Miguel Ángel Barcasnegras, better known as “Peñique”, and Jimmie Morales. CHIEF jm/laa