Merengue music legend Johnny Ventura dies at 81
World-renowned merengue music legend Johnny Ventura died at the age of 81 from a heart attack.
According to sources, “El Caballo Mayor” fainted during a private medical appointment that he carried out in the city of Santiago, Dominican Republic.
The artist died in the Unión Médica de Santiago clinic of a heart attack. The Dominican merengue singer remained one of the most popular merengue singers and performers since the 1960s.
He innovated with his lyrics and his catchy rhythm accompanied by his group El Combo-Show. It was a different sound for the time, but it enjoyed the acceptance of a large fan base that began to follow it. His “combo-show” this name referring to combo as a limited amount of people and show because of the visual spectacle and the movements that they made when they were on stage.
Related: Ala Jaza under fire after expressing negative remarks about Johnny Ventura
Ventura modernized the merengue rhythm by introducing saxophones, trumpets, piano, drums, electronic effects, timpani, and incorporating elements from other rhythms without losing the essence and natural colors of the merengue.
Johnny Ventura’s last post: I miss the human warmth of my audience
