21 years after the death of Compay Segundo: curiosities to remember

AREQUIPA, Peru – Compay Segundo is a legendary name in Cuban music, internationally known. Born Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz, this virtuoso left behind an impressive musical legacy, full of anecdotes and curiosities that are worth remembering.

This July 14 marks 21 years since the death of Compay Segundo. And although the culture of the Island showed its mourning already in 2003, the imprint of the great musician has triumphed and is celebrated in every chord of his songs or the dance that they inspire.

Compay Segundo was born on November 18, 1907 in Siboney, a small town in the province of Santiago de Cuba. From a very young age, he showed an innate talent for music, learning to play the guitar, clarinet and bongo.

However, it was his ingenuity that really made him stand out, inventing the armónico, a hybrid between the Spanish guitar and the Cuban tres that brought a unique sound to Cuban music.

Compay Segundo took his first steps in the music scene back in the 1930s. Various groups such as the Cuarteto de Trovadores Orientales and the Cuarteto Hatuey, as well as being a vocalist in Miguel Matamoros’ group, are some of his initial credits.

It was not until 1948 that his career took a crucial turn when he formed the duo Los Compadres with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo. This is the specific context in which his famous nickname was born, since while Lorenzo became Compay Primo, Repilado adopted the name Compay Segundo.

They then decided to create the duo Los Compadres with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo as lead singer (which is why he became known as “Compay Primo” or “Compay Primero”) and Francisco Repilado on second vocals, accompanied by the guitar, which became known in Cuban music as “Compay Segundo”.

The duo, which played Cuban son in the style of the guajiros from the east of the country, achieved great popularity between the 40s and 50s and performed on national and international stages. They recorded albums with songs by both and their popularity grew for many years. When Francisco Repilado left the duo due to differences, Reinaldo Hierrezuelo, Lorenzo’s brother, took his place.

In the late 90s, the great guitarist Ry Cooder arrived in Havana. The American musician conceived and produced the album Buena Vista Social Club (1997). The album, which included other renowned Cuban musicians such as Omara Portuondo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Pío Leyva, Rubén González and Eliades Ochoa, won a Grammy Award and inspired German filmmaker Wim Wenders to make a film with the same name as the album.

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