Compay Segundo

Date of Birth: November 18, 1907

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: July 13, 2003

Biography

Compay Segundo, born Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz, was a renowned Cuban musician and songwriter best known for his work in the traditional Cuban music genre, son. Born in Siboney, Cuba, he spent much of his early life immersed in the rich musical culture of his homeland. Segundo’s career spanned several decades, during which he played a crucial role in popularizing Cuban music worldwide. He began playing the guitar in his early teens and later developed a unique variation of the instrument called the armónico, which added a distinctive sound to his music. Compay Segundo’s music gained international acclaim through his association with the Buena Vista Social Club, a group of veteran Cuban musicians who revived the traditional son sound in the late 1990s. His contributions to music earned him several accolades and made him a beloved figure in Cuba and beyond. Compay Segundo continued to perform and record music well into his 90s, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.

5 Interesting Facts about Compay Segundo

1. Compay Segundo was a master of the tres, a traditional Cuban guitar with three pairs of strings.

2. He was a self-taught musician who also played the clarinet and the armónico, an instrument he invented.

3. Segundo’s music career began in the 1920s, and he gained fame as part of the duo Los Compadres in the 1950s.

4. He contributed to the Grammy-winning album “Buena Vista Social Club,” which brought international attention to Cuban music.

5. Compay Segundo often wore his signature Panama hat and smoked cigars, which became part of his iconic image.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Compay Segundo

1. “I think that the most important thing is to do what you love and to love what you do.”

2. “Music is the soul of a people, and Cuban music has a soul that speaks to the world.”

3. “Age is just a number; passion is what keeps you young.”

4. “The armónico is my gift to Cuban music, a sound that is both old and new.”

5. “Every song is a story, and every story is a song waiting to be sung.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Compay Segundo’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Compay Segundo had three children: Basilio Repilado, Salvador Repilado, and Nilsa Repilado. Salvador Repilado followed in his father’s footsteps and became a musician, playing bass with the Buena Vista Social Club.