Darío Gómez passed away at 71, according to a Twitter post from Colombia’s Ministry of Culture. Clínica Las Américas first shared news of his demise on July 26, 2022. But who is he, and what will the world remember him for?
Here are some things we know about the singer’s life, career, and legacy.
Who Is Dario Gomez?
Darío Gómez was born Darío de Jesús Gómez Zapata, on February 6, 1951, in the town of San Jerónimo. He was most famous for his musical talent, enabling him to sell more than six million albums at home and abroad.
The talented musician gained recognition for performing “Nadie es Eterno” (Nobody is eternal) and earning the title of El Rey del Despecho (The king of spite). He composed several songs, including “La Oveja Negra” (The black sheep), “El Hijo del Amor” (The Son of Love), and “Corazon Resentido” (Resentful Heart.)
Dario Gomez Career
Gómez’s affinity for music began when he was a teen. At age 14, he started writing verses and worked as a mechanic and farmer. He later joined the record label Codiscos and announced his musical production. He became the company’s artistic director in 1977.
Gómez debuted as a soloist in 1985 and grew even more popular for performing “Decidelo” (Decide it). After, he released a full-length song titled “Asi se le canta al despecho” (So it is sung to spite).
In May 2015, he released a video of “Me voy a casar” (I’m going to marry). Next, he remixed “No Hay Razon Para Odiarte” (There’s no reason to hate you). As a singer, Gomez received high praise and accolades while he was active.
Some of his achievements include the Ascap prize for composing “Nobody is Eternal” and the Golden Pentagram. He also dabbled in TV, entering that world in 2007. In 2009, he featured in a campaign for Telefonica Telecom Colombia.
The talented musician left his fans several great albums, including “El Rey del Despecho,” “Incomparable, Nuevo Milenio,” among others. In February 2022, Gomez attended the Latino Music Awards in Pereira and expressed his desire to continue singing.
Unfortunately, fate had different plans for him.
Dario Gomez’s Death
The King of Spite, Dario Gomez, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at age 71. Clinica Las Americas in Medellín, Colombia, confirmed his demise.
According to a press release, he collapsed at his residence and was rushed to a medical facility. He arrived at the facility unconscious with zero vital signs and could not be saved despite the doctors’ efforts.
A statement the clinic issued stated:
“The patient was admitted without vital signs and was taken to the resuscitation room where advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers were performed without success.”
His time of death was recorded as 7:31 p.m. local time. What caused him to collapse was a cardiorespiratory arrest.
Tributes for Dario Gomez
After news of Dario Gomez’s dying spread, it triggered an outpour of tributes from all the lives he touched. Top political figures, fellow musicians, and fans were among those who paid him emotional tributes to Gómez following the sad news of his passing.
Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez wrote: “We deeply regret the death of the performer and composer Darío Gómez, the ‘King of Spite,’ one of the greatest exponents of Colombian popular music. We accompany your family and friends with solidarity, and we send you our fraternal embrace.”
Former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez wrote in a Twitter tribute: “Sad night with Darío Gómez already reaching heaven. His songs and his personality are lodged in the hearts of millions. Thank you, Master Dario.”
One fan wrote: “I was literally telling my cousin I wanted to see Darío Gómez live two days ago, and today I wake up to see he just passed away. Rip, maestro.”
It was a sad time for the world of music. However, Dario Gomez will most certainly live on through his incredible legacy. Other stars who passed away in 2022 include Coolio, Ray Liotta, Naomi Judd, Leslie Jordan, and Bob Saget.