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El músico cubano Manuel González Hernández, conocido como Manolín The Salsa Doctor, se despidió de su colega Paulito FG, quien died this Saturday in a car accident ocurrido en el Malecón de La Habana.
In a heartfelt message on his social media, El Médico reminisced about the career of the salsa musician, his talent as a singer, and the times when, along with other groups, his compositions shone in the vibrant landscape of the island's popular dance music.
"One of the saddest pieces of news one can receive, very hard to accept. One of the greatest interpreters of our music, Paulo Fernández Gallo, has passed away. Paulo FG, the Sofocador of Havana… He was always Team Cuba,” expressed Manolín on Instagram, highlighting with the epithet “Team Cuba” Fernández Gallo's desire to keep residing on the island, without publicly questioning its political system, nor raising his voice to denounce the dictatorship.
Wrapped in controversies for these reasons and after having lived abroad, Manolín decided to establish residency in Cuba, turning his back on the Cuban exile community in Miami, which he reproaches for various issues. Adopting the lexical style of the regime's power, the musician chose to label his colleague as a member of a “Team Cuba” that, in the Cuban official narrative, signifies someone whose loyalty to the so-called “revolution” adorns them with the jersey of a team where the “bad Cubans,” the so-called “counter-revolutionaries,” cannot belong.
In addition to this alleged quality that led him to perform several times at the 'Anti-Imperialist Tribune' and other politically charged venues under the Cuban regime, Manolín highlighted the "envy-inducing vocal abilities" and the talent of a musician who "made all of Cuba and parts of the world dance with his flavorful timba."
“ He was always among the favorites of the dancing crowd,” said El Médico, reminiscing about the days of healthy rivalry on the stages where Paulito FG, NG La Banda, Los Van Van, and he himself performed.
"Paulo FG and I experienced great moments of rivalry in music that people don't forget and always asked us to repeat. We say he died, but in reality, there are artists who never die, as their talent and work guarantee their eternity."
He also highlighted the paradox that the musician died in a car accident on the Havana Malecón, "in his beloved Malecón, which he sang about so much"; and he acknowledged the "shock" that comes with the news of the sudden and unexpected death of a 63-year-old artist, who still had the energy to continue his prestigious musical career.
"It hurts me doubly; it could have been me, as I also had a very serious accident and I escaped by pure miracle," said Manolín, recalling the traffic accident he suffered in Miami in September 2017.
After placing Paulito FG in the pantheon of Cuban popular dance music alongside figures such as Juan Formell, José Luis Cortés, and Adalberto Álvarez, the singer stated that “he will remain among us forever with his music and the memory of his remarkable journey through life.”
“we will dance forever ‘The Speculation of Havana’, one of my favorite songs. El Sofocador de la Habana will always remain with us. My deepest condolences to family, friends, and followers. May the great Paulo FG rest in peace,” concluded Manolín.
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