Tower Blog

Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Mambo Pioneer Dies

April 2, 2008 by Romy

One of the pioneers in Cuban mambo passed away last week in Florida at age 89. Israel “Cachao” Lopez (1918-2008) was instrumental in bringing Cuban mambo to popularity in the 1950s in the US and is arguably one of the most important figures of the mambo movement. Check out his album Ahora Si! to hear some of his greatest songs. He began his career in the 1930s and would became a type of ambassodor to Cuban sound/music. In fact, Andy Garcia asked Cachao to write songs that appeared on The Lost City soundtrack and his songs are featured in other films like The Birdcage and videogame Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Soundtrack. His legacy will live on through his music and Tower.com will remember ‘Cachao’ as an incredible musician and a man before his time.

Click here to learn more about Lopez’s life and career: Israel “Cachao” Lopez on Wikipedia