Died On This Date (March 22, 2008) Israel “Cachao” Lopez
themusicsover 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.
What You Should Own
To many, Dean Paul Martin was best known as Dean Martin’s son, but to music fans he was Dino of Dino, Desi and Billy. The Desi being Desi Arnaz Jr. Forming the group in their early teens, DD&B had a couple of semi hits that targeted the teenage girl crowd. As he grew older, Dino became Dean Paul and went on to make a name for himself playing tennis. He even played Wimbledon. Flying was yet another passion of Martin’s. He got his pilot’s license at just 16 and later earned his wings with the Air National Guard. Then in 1987, Martin was flying his National Guard fighter jet when a bad snowstorm caused him to crash it in the mountains for California, killing him and his Weapons System Officer on impact. He was once married to Olympic ice skater, Dorothy Hammill and actress Olivia Hussey.
Mel Brown was a respected blues guitarist who was perhaps best known for his years playing for 