Lisandro Meza, a pillar of Vallenato in Colombia, died in the last hours of this Saturday, December 23rd. He Singer And composer He died at the age of 86 after being hospitalized for six days in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the La Concepción Clinic in Sincelejo.
The medical center confirmed the death through an official statement signed by the clinic's executive director, Guillermo Ruíz.
Who was Lisandro Meza?
Meza is remembered for its heyday The corraleros of Majagual and the years he spent as a leader of various groups – the most famous being the one named after his wife: Los Hijos de la Niña Luz. But his career began long before El Polvorete, Las Tapas and Baracunatana.
And he was not alone with the accordion; his talent enabled him to master several instruments. Piano, guitar, bass, treble, cuatro, tumbadora, snare drum and bagpipes are on his skill list. And he was also a guarachaquero, and with this instrument he accompanied Alejo Durán on his adventures. “I learned so much from him,” he said of the first Vallenato king. He taught me to be respectful, to love music, to play with judgment and joy. “That’s what the minstrels had.”
And he was not alone with the accordion; his talent enabled him to master several instruments. Piano, guitar, bass, treble, cuatro, tumbadora, snare drum and bagpipes are on his skill list. And he was also a guarachaquero, and with this instrument he accompanied Alejo Durán on his adventures. “I learned so much from him,” he said of the first Vallenato king. He taught me to be respectful, to love music, to play with judgment and joy. “That’s what the minstrels had.”
He learned from minstrels, but in his mind there was a hunger for innovation, for experimentation with instruments and sounds, and that was exactly what opened doors for large groups. Lisandro Meza, young, already knew how to interpret Cumbia, Porro, Paseo and Vallenato with their clear differences. His boundless talent led to him being appointed to the group Los Vallenatos del Magdalena as the successor to Aníbal Velásquez – another great of Colombian Caribbean music. According to their official biography, the Café Records site explains that they were neither Vallenatos nor Magdalena, but Barranquilleros – Carlos and Roberto Román – who saw a hook in this name to attract an audience.
With them he made his first recording in 1953: El aroma de las flores, followed by Adiós, Dolores. Meza recorded it in the guaracha rhythm and introduced innovations with the accordion sound. He claimed to have been the first, even before Aníbal Velásquez adopted this format and became our King of Guaracha.
It didn't take long for him to put together his own group: Lisandro Meza y sus Alegres Muchachos. With them he reached media that was extremely important at the time. He presented other catchy songs like “El Cocacolo Cabellón” and “Elboy Fröhlich”. He already had a penchant for interpreting the humorous double meaning he would attach to his greatest and future successes.
Lisandro Meza was an accordion idol and in 1969, knowing the numerous folk rhythms, he decided to take part in the Vallenato Festival. A year ago, his former teacher Alejo Durán was crowned the first Vallenato king, and he also wanted this feat.