Cuba's Queen of Country Music has Died

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 5 (acn) Cuba's Queen of Country Music, Celina Gonzalez, died on Wednesday morning, sources of the Cuban Music Institute announced.

The popular interpreter of songs like Yo soy el punto cubano and Viva Santa Barbara, lost the battle against a long disease, informed the Cubadebate Web site.
Celina was born on March 16, 1928, in Matanzas province, and became one of the most famous voices of the island's folk music, along with her husband Lazaro Reutilio, with whom she formed a successful duo.
With over 40 albums recorded throughout her artistic career, she was characterized by defending the values of indigenous music and the influence of African religions in the formation of national identity.
Among other awards, she won the Silver Prize of Cuba's Record Industry in 1980; the Honorary Prize of Honor de Cubadisco (Cuba's International Record Fair and Contest) in 2004; and the Golden Record of Africa in 1991.