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Ñico Membiela

Cuban bolero singer. Born in Zulueta, Provincia De Villa Clara, Cuba on December 3rd, 1913. Died in Miami, Florida on July 13th, 1998. This renowned singer and songwriter from a young age played boleros as a troubadour in his hometown and already in 1942 established himself as a professional singer in Havana. He initially didn't have much success but recorded 6 songs in 1951. Then in 1954 he joined the [a=Orquesta Cheo Belen Puig] and recorded two songs that opened up his road to fame. As a teenager he learned to play guitar and went to Cienfuegos with his family. Ñico Membiela's father owned the hardware store La Bomba, in Calzada De Dolores, between the streets Gloria and Industria, a few doors down from the residence of Adolfina Lazo, godmother of trova music in Cienfuegos. Adolfina and Ñico had a great friendship. Ñico used to walk with his guitar on the streets serenading or was received at a home to offer his troubadour performances. The young and very thin Ñico Membiela had poor health since early youth, but had many friends and girls who admired him and they would listen to the songs that he incorporated to his repertoire. Although his career was illustrious, he never had great fame in the long run, only living and performing in the shadows of more popular Bolero singers. In 1963 he performed in Mexico and moved to the United States, where he lived and continued making music until his death at age 85 in 1998.