Julio Antío Valdés Garmendía

Charismatic Cuban singer of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Julio Valdés, "Cobarde".

His recording success in La Habana with the danzón-cha "Caimitillo y Marañón, Cobarde" earned him the epithet by which he was known among musicians throughout the nation and the population of the largest of the Antilles.

Following the cultural success that came with the awarding of a Gold Record to that piece by Rosendo Rosell, the native of Cienfuegos province, in the south-central part of the island, conquered audiences on the Radio Rebelde and Progreso stations, where he performed live daily.

The interpretive versatility, quality and vocal timbre of Julio, together with his lively character, opened doors for him as lead singer in the Havana orchestras of Neno González, Pancho El Bravo, Ninón Mondejar, América, Rosendo Rosell's own orchestra, Melodías del 40, Sublime and Sensación, with which he recorded several phonograms.

The composer and exclusive artist of Velvet, he also founded "Julio Valdés y su Orquesta", which was later called Típica Sonera.

Also known among his colleagues as "El Caballo", he began his artistic career in his native city with a trio formed by fellow natives Felo Bacallao (singer of the Orquesta Aragón) and Felito Molina.

He later joined the Cienfuegos orchestras of "Efraín Loyola y su Ritmo Propio", "Ritmo Alegre de Céspedes o Los Hermanos Pintao", "Revelación", and the Groups of "Félix Ordoñez" and "Nelo Sosa".

Despite being based in La Habana since the late 1940s, and his intense national carnival tours and international performances, Julio Antío Valdés Garmendía (1929) always maintained a sense of belonging to his native town.

What would have become of Julio Valdés if he had not died at the age of 55, on June 13, 1984? Possibly one of the jewels of the Buena Vista Social Club, assure members of the world-renowned collective, who pay him tribute on the 85th anniversary of his birth.