Rubby Pérez
Rubby Pérez | |
|---|---|
 Pérez performing in 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Roberto Antonio Pérez Herrera |
| Born | 8 March 1956[citation needed] |
| Origin | Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic |
| Died | 8 April 2025 (aged 69) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Genres | Merengue |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1978–2025 |
| Labels |
|
| Spouse |
Inés Lizardo
(m. 1974; died 2022) |
| Partner | Leidy Rosario (2024-2025) |
Roberto Antonio Pérez Herrera (8 March 1956 – 8 April 2025), known professionally as Rubby Pérez, was a Dominican merengue singer.[1]
Rubby performed with various orchestras until Wilfrido Vargas offered him the opportunity to become the lead vocalist of his orchestra during the recording of the album El Funcionario (it was ranked one of best albums of Latin America according to music journalists) in 1983. This project marked the beginning of his international prominence, as his voice gained widespread recognition across global audiences.[2] Due to his distinctive vocal qualities, he earned the nickname "the highest voice of merengue" (la voz más alta del merengue).[3]
He was killed in the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse on 8 April 2025.[4]
Biography
[edit]Pérez aspired to be a baseball player in his youth, but then turned to music when a car accident caused permanent damage to his left leg.[5] After studying music at the National Conservatory of Santo Domingo, he became a member of school groups, such as the Choir Youth Guidance Society, The Youth of Bani in 1978, and Los Hijos del Rey. Perez then entered Wilfrido Vargas's orchestra in 1980 to 1987, during which time he popularized hits including "El Africano", "Volveré", "Cuando Estés Con Él", and "Cobarde Cobarde".[6]
His foray as a solo artist in 1987 brought him hits such as "Buscando Tus Besos", "Enamorado De Ella", and "Tú Vas A Volar", of which the former two were hits in the Billboard charts.[6] His album Rubby Pérez spent two weeks at the Tropical list, peaking at number 15,[7] and his song "Love Her" was number 29 on the Latin charts.[8]
He won Casandra Awards in the categories of "Orchestra of the Year" and "Merengue of the Year".[9] In Venezuela, he won gold and platinum albums in 1988 with his first solo album, "Buscando Tus Besos".[10]
He was married to Inés Antonia Lizardo for 48 years until her death on October 15, 2022, due to breast cancer. His last partner was Leidy Altagracia Rosario, currently the Dominican Republic's Consul in Houston.
Death
[edit]Pérez was killed on 8 April 2025 in the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse, which occurred during one of his concerts in Santo Domingo. He was performing with his daughter Zulinka Perez, his daughter's husband and his band. He continued singing until his last moments.[4]
Following his death, Pérez's remains were laid at the Eduardo Brito National Theater, where a memorial service was held.[11]
Philanthropy
[edit]Pérez was recognized by the Committee of Latin American Political Parties in the United States (COPOLA USA) for his assistance to victims of the magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010.[10]
In 2023, Pérez was the headliner for a fundraiser celebration organized by the New York State Office of General Services, an arm of the New York State Executive Department, in honour of National Hispanic Heritage Month.[8]
Discography
[edit] | This section needs additional citations for verification. (April 2025) |
- Buscando Tus Besos (1987)
- Fiesta Para Dos! (1988)
- Simplemente Amor (1990)
- Ojos (1992)
- Amores Extraños (1995)
- No Te Olvides (1998)
- Vuelve el Merengue (1999)
- Volando Alto (2001)
- El Cantante (2002)
- Tonto Corazón (2004)
- Dulce Veneno (2007)
- Genial (2010)
- Hecho Esta (2022)
References
[edit]- ^ "Rubby Pérez presenta nuevo álbum en NY". El Nacional. 2011-10-02. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ Mercado, José Luis (2025-04-09). ""El Funcionario" Wilfrido Vargas". Los 600 de Latinoamérica (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-04-09.
- ^ ""La voz más alta del merengue": Rubby Pérez, el artista dominicano que llegó a la música por un accidente y perdió la vida tras el derrumbe en la discoteca Jet Set". BBC Mundo. 9 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Dominican Republic nightclub collapse kills 113". BBC News. 9 April 2025.
- ^ Martinez, Virginia (8 April 2025). "Rubby Perez, singer of merengue hits, dead at 69". VOZ. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (9 April 2025). "5 Songs by Rubby Pérez, the Merengue Singer Lost in the Roof Collapse". New York Times. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ Raygoza, Isabela. "Rubby Pérez, Merengue Singer, Dead at 69 After Nightclub Roof Collapse in Dominican Republic: Report". No. 8 April 2025. Billboard. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Rubby Pérez to Headline Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Saturday, September 16". New York State Office of General Services. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ "Rubby Pérez's body identified among victims of Jet Set nightclub collapse". Dominican Today. 8 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ a b Trujillo, Zovita (8 April 2025). "Zoe Saldaña reacts to Rubby Pérez's tragic passing — who was the beloved merengue singer?". Hola!. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ "Memorials begin for some killed in Dominican Republic nightclub collapse; death toll reaches 221". Los Angeles Times. 10 April 2025.
External links
[edit]- Rubby Pérez at IMDb
- Rubby Pérez discography at Discogs
| National | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
- 1956 births
- 2025 deaths
- Accidental deaths in the Dominican Republic
- 20th-century Dominican Republic male singers
- Dominican Republic male songwriters
- Merengue musicians
- Latin music songwriters
- 21st-century Dominican Republic male singers
- People from San Cristóbal Province
- Filmed deaths of entertainers
- Musicians who died on stage