José Virgilio Peña Suazo, icon of Dominican merengue, gave his first public interview after his wife’s passing. In an extensive conversation with El Dotol Nastra, the artist explained his grief with serenity, highlighting the importance of his outlook on life and family. “I just got out, or I’m fresh, from a problem that happened to me, that my wife died,” he said, describing the recent loss as a challenge he faces with strength.
Processing the absence with reflection
Peña Suazo noted that he has faced the situation seriously, thinking about what his wife would have wanted for him. When talking about the success of his song “Mi mujer me gobierna”, he recalled the trip to Colombia where he filmed the video with his partner, a moment that became a digital phenomenon, with thousands of versions created by couples on social media.
Family hospitality offer
The musician revealed that if his late wife’s parents had needed a room in his house, he would have welcomed them without hesitation. He compared this attitude to academic studies that highlight the importance of family support in times of crisis.
Roots of a legendary career
The interview traced Peña Suazo’s career, who initially did not want to enter the music world. His early sales were modest: two records, one bought by his mother and the other by himself. His first contract, in Cambita, San Cristóbal, paid him around RD$25,000, a figure that rose to RD$70,000 in 1996 when his music began to gain momentum.
Generosity and legacy
The merengue singer recalled that he ended up giving away 26 vehicles throughout his career. Despite having four children, none of them pursued a professional musical path. However, his influence on Latin music is reflected in his compositions for artists such as Fernando Villalona, Sergio Vargas, Alex Bueno, Quinito Méndez and Roca Banda.
A memory that transcends
Peña Suazo highlighted the number of videos generated around his song, reaching 130 million according to his figure. La Banda Gorda, the group he formed in the 1990s, is approaching 33 years of career. After his wife’s death, the artist showed a personal side, committing to preserve the memories while continuing with his family, performances and the legacy of La Banda Gorda.
Source credits: diarioaldia.com
