CubaPLUS Magazine

Cuban culture is mourning the death of one who was an icon of popular music on the island, Paulito FG, the “smotherer of salsa.”

A car accident that occurred this Saturday on the well-known Havana seafront avenue took his life, which has caused great consternation among the Cuban people, who consider him one of the most important singers and musicians of today on the island.

From a very young age, Pablo Fernández Gallo, in the artistic world Paulito FG, was inclined to music, since at 19 years old he began to receive clarinet classes at the Ignacio Cervantes Conservatory. But shortly afterward, the quality of his voice was what led to his entry into the world of singers.

In his early days, he was part of several groups, such as Adalberto Álvarez and his Son ¨rhythm¨, Dan Den group of Juan Carlos Alfonso and Opus 13, until in 1992 he founded his own orchestra: Paulo FG and his Elite. During his successful career as leader of his orchestra, he recorded more than 10 albums, he also worked as a music producer and cultural manager.

In this last job, he was the promoter of several music projects on television, among them Sonando en Cuba, which aimed to promote young musical talents in the country. In addition to salsa, he had a notable influence on the evolution of Cuban music through the fusion of genres such as rock, ballads, son and jazz.

In essence, Cuban music loses one of its best sons. Regarding this, the president of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel, regretted the sad event and wrote on his X account: “Our heartfelt condolences to family, friends and the people of Cuba, who privileged him, along with other great artists, as one of their favorites. His creations and interpretations are an inescapable part of the Cuban musical heritage.”

Numerous personalities of Cuban culture, institutions in the sector, among them the ministry of the branch, the Cuban Institute of Music and the Company of Recordings and Musical Editions of Cuba (Egrem) sent their condolences to family, friends and in general to his admirers.

Rest in peace, dear Paulito.