At 75 years old, Wilfrido Vargas finally broke his silence about Rubby Pérez and his orchestra.

The legendary merengue artist took the opportunity to reflect on the intense years of his orchestra, the highs and the lows, the betrayals, and the secrets behind the voices that defined an era of merengue music.

As the world of merengue mourns the death of Davi Pérez, one of its most iconic singers, Wilfrido revisited this period in his career, bringing back memories of the challenges and triumphs that shaped the genre.

Vargas opened up about the pivotal moments in his orchestra’s history, including the famous figures who helped mold its sound and identity.

He recalled the significant personalities who played crucial roles in the orchestra’s journey.

For instance, he spoke fondly of Juancho Viloria, a talented musician with a unique stage presence.

Juancho had a special chemistry with Wilfrido, but ultimately, he left the group for personal reasons.

Wilfrido admitted that it hurt when Juancho’s absence was not acknowledged in a tribute, but he respected his decision.

Wilfrido also spoke about Nice Sepeda, who joined in 1973 as a pianist and quickly grew into a significant figure in the orchestra.

Though Wilfrido had to replace him at one point, he offered Sepeda a chance to direct the band “Los Hijos del Rey,” and now Sepeda is a successful producer, musician, and even a viceminister.

The story of Peter Cruz followed, a man who brought elegance and class to the stage.

Despite leaving to pursue his own career, he became one of the most recognized names in merengue.

Another key figure was Víctor Baile, a man Wilfrido described as having a musical mind unlike any other.

He was part of the orchestra before moving on to become a key player in the salsa world.

His legacy continued to grow, even after his death in 2019.

Wilfrido also reflected on the talented Willy Berríos, a Puerto Rican who seamlessly blended into the Dominican merengue scene with his authentic swing.

His contributions, including hits like “Cinti Estás Enamorada,” left a lasting mark on the genre.

As he recounted the history of his orchestra, Wilfrido recalled other musicians such as Jin Chambers, a Panamanian whose voice became iconic with songs like “A Mover La Colita.”

Although their time together was short, Jin’s energy was unforgettable.

Wilfrido continued, telling stories of other talented artists like Jorge Gómez, a Honduran whose incredible voice earned him a place in the orchestra despite his reluctance to perform on stage.

There were also moments of personal sacrifice, with Wilfrido acknowledging the toll the music career took on his personal life and family.

He also shared the painful memories of Leo Díaz, a Venezuelan singer whose voice captivated audiences.

Unfortunately, Leo’s life took a tragic turn when he was shot in front of his home.

His absence from the merengue scene was felt deeply, but when he returned to the stage years later with his son, Wilfrido could not hold back his tears.

Another artist who impacted Wilfrido deeply was Sandy Reyes.

He was a raw talent, and though he had his personal struggles with addiction, he left an indelible mark on merengue with songs like “El Pájaro” and “Solina.”

Wilfrido also spoke of Vicente Pacheco, an artist he saw as a brother, whose departure from the orchestra due to issues over payments left a lasting sting.

Though the issues were not easy to resolve, Wilfrido respected Pacheco’s voice and the contribution he made to merengue.

Wilfrido reflected on other talented figures, including Meas, a versatile artist who made significant contributions to merengue, salsa, and beyond.

Meas’s decision to shift to salsa in the mid-90s did not surprise Wilfrido, as he knew Meas had the potential to succeed in other genres as well.

The most significant revelation, however, came when Wilfrido spoke of Rubby Pérez, an iconic voice in merengue.

Rubby, who had come to the orchestra in 1982, was a powerful presence on stage.

He recorded major hits like “Volveré,” which became a colossal success.

However, the relationship between Wilfrido and Rubby soured when Rubby interrupted Wilfrido during a creative session, which led to Wilfrido’s decision to remove him from the group.

Wilfrido admitted that he later regretted the decision when he realized the full potential of the song.

But by then, Rubby had already moved on, finding success as a solo artist.

The story of Rubby Pérez and his departure was one of the most painful chapters for Wilfrido, but he recognized Rubby’s undeniable talent and his journey to stardom.

Wilfrido understood that Rubby’s true potential was always meant to shine on his own.

He also acknowledged that sometimes, letting go of talented individuals helped them discover their own path and make a bigger impact in the music world.

The legacy of Wilfrido Vargas and his orchestra lives on through the countless stories and voices that helped shape merengue into the iconic genre it is today.

Wilfrido’s reflections revealed the highs and lows, the personal and professional sacrifices, and the unbreakable bond shared by the artists who made his orchestra legendary.

Though the journey was filled with challenges, it was also marked by moments of incredible talent, creativity, and the timeless rhythms of merengue.