By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 04:19 am:

Sorry, missed this story yesterday. Cuban exile Celia Cruz passed away at her New Jersey home on Wednesday, at the age of 78. The Queen of Salsa was highly influential in bringing Cuban music into the mainstream - notably in association with Tito Puente, though ironically her records were banned in Cuba after she left the country in 1959.

Story on the BBC website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3076603.stm

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 11:03 am:

There will a mass held at St. Patrick's Cathedral here in NYC on Tuesday, July 22nd to honor Celia Cruz (after a viewing in Miami and the Bronx is held this weekend).

Check out this wonderful article written by David Hinkley of the New York Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/101640p-91996c.html

Rest well, Celia.
Azucar!

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By stephanie (64.63.221.192) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 11:12 am:

I was going to post this but I see you all did.
What an innovator,,
RIP
Stephanie

By Eli (205.188.209.109) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 11:32 am:

She definitely set the tone for all future salsa artists and she will be missed.

yo teamo, mi corazon y alma!!!

By Marv (205.188.209.109) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 12:38 pm:

Love you Miss Celia. Thank you for all the wonderful music. May God Bless and Keep You Forever!