“It was a huge blow to his children, grandchildren, friends and family in general. Robert taught us many things, but he did not prepare us for this”

Puerto Rican percussionist Roberto Rowena, 81, original member of the Combo de Ravel Cortijo, Fania stars and founder of the Apollo Sound Orchestra, died Thursday night, Andres Valdemar, the singer of the orchestra, said in a statement yesterday. A family spokesperson.

He added, “It was a huge blow to his children, grandchildren, friends and family in general. Robert taught us many things, but he did not prepare us for this.”

“The music world is terrified, there is a void and mourning in the music crew, we can’t describe. The Apollo musicians are broken. Robert Rowena wasn’t our boss, he was our father.”

“He was a man of the people, he loved his people and respected his will, and we will say goodbye to him. Puerto Rico will have the opportunity to pay his respects to him by giving him a last farewell and by following all the health protocols established by the Covid-19 epidemic”, Valdemar noted.

Interactions

For his part, said Sonora Ponceña’s director, Papo Lucca, a lot can be said and written about Mr. Bongó, and from this moment on, it is impossible to let a few tears escape for his passing.

One of the legends of the genre, Willy Colon, wrote: “Farewell to the municipality of Rombeiro. You were the heart of Vanya All-Stars.”