Israel “Cachao” Lopez
September 14, 1918 – March 22, 2008
Mambo pioneer and Grammy winning bassist Cachao Lopez passed away on March 22, 2010 after falling ill from complications from kidney failure. He was 89. Growing up in Cuba, Lopez moved to Spain in 1962 and then settled in New York City where he made his living playing with the leading Latin bands. It was here in America that he collaborated with the likes Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and Gloria Estefan. In the 70s, he moved to Las Vegas where he performed at the casinos. An affinity for gambling forced him to leave the city or he otherwise might have lost everything. The 80s weren’t very kind to Lopez as he found himself in Miami playing small clubs and weddings. As the 90s hit however, he was back in vogue even winning a Grammy for his 1994 album Ahora Si!. Lopez died in the company of his family in Coral Gables, Florida.
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