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One of the great icons of Cuban music in exile, Willy Chirino turns 79 today. Born on April 5, 1947, in Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río, the Cuban-American singer-songwriter has built a career spanning over five decades, making him the voice, symbol, and conscience of the Cuban community outside the Island.
His story began with a forced departure. At just 14 years old, Wifredo José Chirino Rodríguez arrived in Miami as part of Operation Peter Pan, the exodus that brought more than 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban minors out of Cuba between 1960 and 1962, in response to the rise of the Castro dictatorship.
In Miami, he formed the rock band The Whailers in 1962 with classmates from Immaculata-LaSalle, and later emigrated to New York, where he worked with figures such as Tito Puente and Julio Gutiérrez.
His recording career officially began in 1976 with the album "One Man Alone." Since then, he has recorded over 20 albums and is regarded as one of the creators of the so-called "Miami Sound."
On a personal level, he got married on April 6, 1980 to the Cuban singer Lissette Álvarez, with whom he has shared life and stages for decades and has built a beautiful family.
Regarding his work philosophy, the artist has made it clear that nothing bad comes from work when done with honesty.
On one occasion, he recalled his teenage years when he had to study and work at the same time to help out at home. He posted a photo of his High School diploma from La Salle in Miami and revealed that he couldn't attend the graduation because he was working that day.
"They were times of great austerity, and foremost was the need for money to support the family. Washing dishes after school lunch to save the 50 cents for lunch. A route of 300 daily newspapers from Miami News, an afternoon publication from early exile Miami, along with other small jobs that came my way..." he reminisced.
A voice against the dictatorship
Author of anthems associated with the fight for freedom, he acknowledges that the struggle for the freedom of Cuba has been a roller coaster.
Willy has dedicated his art to keeping alive the hope of return and believes that the current situation offers different signs compared to other times when the expectation of change did not materialize.
"There have been moments when we see it approaching, and then it doesn't happen. But this time I have never felt so... convinced that the other day is arriving. That everyone is waiting for us," he assured in February.
Her deepest dream remains to perform in a free Cuba.
Recently, he had an emotional moment during a concert in Fort Myers, Florida, where he displayed a handmade sign by an attendee that read "WILLY, the next one is in Cuba".
The next day, she posed a direct question to her followers on her social media: Where does my people want me to hold my first concert?
In March of last year, he raised his voice in support of the Cuban people amid the protests that took place due to the unsustainable crisis the country is experiencing.
"Another uprising in Cuba. There is no electricity, no food, nothing, and it is going to get worse. Our brothers, our children, our parents are suffering horribly," said the prominent artist in a video.
If you are Cuban, you have the obligation to raise your voice for that people who have no voice. Right now, grab your phone and start posting those images that are continuously coming from Cuba. Speak to your followers and tell them about the tragedy of our people, because change has to come now, change is now. Long live a Free Cuba!" emphasized the musician.
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