Today marks the 88th birthday of Celia Cruz, the late ‘Queen of Salsa’ + what better way to celebrate than with a dazzling Google Doodle, featuring the singer in one of her signature looks of sheer + sparkle accessorized by a complimentary tall wig? Even Omer Pardillo-Cid, sole executor of the Celia Cruz Estate, was impressed. In a press release Omer commented,”There have been many posthumous tributes to Celia in these last ten years, but this one by Google is certainly one of the most important and far-reaching. She would have loved it!”
Born as Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso to a working-class family in Havana in 1925, her calling for singing came early. Luckily for us, in 1950, she joined La Sonora Matancera, one of Cuba’s most prominent dance orchestras, which set the course for Celia’s legendary status. After leaving the country with the group, she chose not to return to Cuba, causing her exile. Although exiled, that didn’t stop Celia from showering the world with ‘¡Azúcar!’, her signature battle cry, which means sugar in English – + trust me, once you hear Celia say ‘Azúcar’, you’ll never hear it again the same way.
Here’s Celia performing one of her hits + one of my favorite songs, ‘Quimbara’ with Tito Puente (live), another genius.
In remembering Celia, I’ll never forget how she helped me get through my childhood chores, especially mopping. First, I would blast one of many favorite Celia songs, then proceed to put on my heels, to mop the floors (yeah, it was that ‘real’). I would practice my Salsa steps (best in heels) with the mop handle + simultaneously, practice my walking in heels, with Celia setting the pace.
Happy Birthday Celia!
(via Huffington Post)