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Cubans from the Island and the diaspora bid farewell to the singer and entertainer Alberto Herrero with heartfelt messages, remembered for his prominent role in Havana cabarets during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
The news of his death, announced this Thursday by his daughter Hossana Herrero Trimino, quickly spread across social media through various messages from colleagues in the artistic world, friends, and followers who emotionally recalled his journey on the nightlife stages of Havana.
"I hold on to everything we've lived and learned, I hold on to your scent and that unconditional love, I hold on to your laughter. You will forever be my lucky guide, my light, my eternal love," wrote Herrero Trimiño on Facebook.
The singer Mirka Pratts commented that he had passed away "after a hard battle with his illness" and described him as the "King of the Nights of Havana," a title he was known by for decades due to his stage presence in cabarets and hotels in the Cuban capital.
Herrero became a regular figure in the nightlife shows at venues like the cabaret of the Hotel Capri and the Hotel Nacional, where his performances gained immense popularity. Many recall that his style combined a powerful voice, impeccable musical interpretation, humor, and constant interaction with the audience—traits that solidified his reputation as a showman.
The actor and comedian Alexis Valdés also recalled meeting him in the 1980s when the artist ruled the nightlife scene in the capital. “There was no one in Havana at night like him,” he said, highlighting his ability to create “a magical atmosphere on stage,” comparing his performances to major international productions.
Valdés also noted that the singer was distinguished by performing popular songs of the moment and by his ability to engage with the audience, improvise comments, and tell jokes during his performances. According to his testimony, the artist became such an influential figure in the nightlife scene that when other singers replaced him during the off-season, people missed his presence.
Herrero was born on January 5, 1946, in the province of Holguín. He began his musical journey at a very young age and joined local groups such as the combo Los Céntury. Later, he moved to Havana, where he started his solo career. During those years, he performed in cabarets like Tropicana and the Parisien at the Hotel Nacional, in addition to participating in radio and television shows.
Her interpretation of the song "Quién te lo va a creer (Mentiras)" became one of the themes associated with her career in the musical landscape of the Island. She performed internationally in countries such as Spain, Mexico, Italy, France, and other nations in Eastern Europe and Africa.
In more recent years, she lived in the United States, where she continued to perform on stages in Miami. According to the singer Mirka Pratts, since her arrival in 2012, she has given shows at venues such as Hoy Como Ayer, Cubaocho, Alfaro’s, Casa Panza, Club Caribbean Night, Casa de la Década, and Clandestinos.
The Cuban community on U.S. soil was similarly moved last January by the passing of the popular singer and songwriter Alfredito Rodríguez.
No official statement had been released by Cuban institutions regarding the death of Alberto Herrero in the hours following its confirmation.
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