West News Wire: Fito Olivares, a Tejano artist famous for songs that were staples at weddings and quinceaneras, including the smash “Juana La Cubana,” passed away on Friday. He was 75.
According to his wife, Griselda Olivares, the renowned saxophonist passed away early that morning at his Houston home. She stated that he received a cancer diagnosis last year.
Fito Olivares began playing professionally while he was a teenager. He was born Rodolfo Olivares on April 19, 1947, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. He relocated to Houston in 1980 and started the band Olivares y su Group La Pura Sabrosura with his siblings.
The songs “Aguita de Melon,” “El Chicle,” and “El Colesterol” are among his other well-known compositions. According to his wife, he also played the accordion, wrote songs, and occasionally sang in addition to the saxophone.
Griselda Olivares said the family was seeing a lot of support from fans on social media. “They played the music all over the world,” she said.
Among those posting tributes was Ed Gonzalez, the sheriff for Harris County, where Houston is located.
“Rest in peace to a legend we all grew up with Fito Olivares,” Gonzalez tweeted. “Thank you for the music.”
