Rubby Pérez Struck Down in the Middle of a Concert

Rubby Pérez in full performance, electrifying the Dominican stage with his legendary energy

Born on March 8, 1956, in Bajos del Haina, a small port town in the Dominican Republic, Rubby Pérez seemed destined for a brilliant sports career. His father, a baseball enthusiast, hoped to see him play for the famous Leones del Escogido.

Under the spotlight, Rubby Pérez electrifies the stage as he did in the best moments of his solo career. Ironically, the man destined to be a professional baseball player has become a master of the microphone. He strings together hits with the fervor of a fireball pitcher.

However, fate decided otherwise. At just 15 years old, Rubby was the victim of a brutal accident: hit by a van, he suffered a severe injury to his right leg. This tragic event ended his sports ambitions. During his recovery, a new vocation emerged. In the hospital, Rubby began to sing and play guitar for the other patients. Affectionately nicknamed "bed 13," he discovered his musical talent.

The birth of an exceptional artist

Strengthened by this revelation, Rubby Pérez joined the prestigious National Conservatory of Santo Domingo, where he studied piano and refined his unique voice. His talent was quickly noticed. He thus joined several renowned local groups like Los Juveniles de Baní and the Choir of the Youth Orientation Society.

“Can you hear me back there?” Rubby seemed to joke during his wild concerts. Always in sync with his audience, he played with the crowd as he did with his musicians, creating an irresistible connection at every performance.

In 1982, a crucial encounter marked a turning point in his life: meeting Wilfrido Vargas, a merengue legend. Rubby quickly became a pillar of Vargas’s orchestra, captivating audiences with his high and powerful voice. His performances of songs like Volveré, El Africano, and Cuando Estés Con Él earned him growing fame, even beyond Dominican borders. Quickly, Rubby performed on prestigious stages, from the Caribbean to Europe.

A successful solo career

In 1987, Rubby took a new step and embarked on a solo career with his album Buscando tus besos. The success was immediate, propelling his songs onto international stages. His single Love Her reached the 29th place on the Latin charts of Billboard, while the eponymous album Rubby Pérez ranked 15th on the tropical charts.

Arms open to his audience, Rubby Pérez embodied the soul of merengue, generous and flamboyant. He often said, “On stage, I forget everything except the love of the people.” And the audience gave it back to him, until his last breath.

Over the years, his discography was enriched with numerous hits like Enamorado de ella, Dame veneno, and Sobreviviré. Recognized and awarded multiple times, Rubby notably received several prestigious Casandra Awards, in the categories "Orchestra of the Year" and "Merengue of the Year." His first solo album was also certified gold and platinum in Venezuela in 1988, definitively confirming his international status.

An artist committed to serving others

Beyond his artistic successes, Rubby Pérez was involved in numerous humanitarian causes. In 2010, he was honored by the Committee of Latin American Political Parties in the United States (COPOLA USA) for his commitment to the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Absolute class! Rubby Pérez, here backstage, liked to say that his dark glasses hid “the overwhelming light of his emotions.” An elegant nod from the artist who had the show in his blood, even away from the spotlight.

This sincere commitment further strengthened his special bond with the public. His concerts, filled with contagious energy, remain etched in memories, making him much more than just an artist: a true ambassador of the Dominican soul.

A tragic disappearance that shook the country

On April 8, 2025, tragedy struck suddenly. While performing at the Jet Set, a famous venue in Santo Domingo, the roof suddenly collapsed, causing over a hundred victims, including Rubby Pérez himself. The announcement of this tragedy plunged the Dominican Republic and his admirers worldwide into deep sadness.

The Dominican president, Luis Abinader, declared three days of national mourning. On social media, tributes poured in. His lifelong friend, Wilfrido Vargas, publicly expressed his grief: "I am devastated. The best singer the genre has known, the highest voice of merengue."

Today, the unique voice of Rubby Pérez remains a vibrant symbol of merengue. His songs, rich in emotions and rhythms, continue to animate hearts. They remind everyone that even in adversity, his music never stopped making the world dance.