Puerto Rican salsa singer Héctor Tricoche dies at 66

• Puerto Rican salsa singer Héctor Tricoche dies.
• The singer was 66 years old.
• Tricoche was the singer of great hits such as Lobo Domesticado.

Puerto Rican Héctor Tricoche, former performer of the Tommy Olivencia orchestra, died on the night of Sunday, July 17 at the age of 66. Relatives and colleagues of the artist confirmed his death on Monday, according to the EFE news agency.

Noel Tricoche Albertorio, the first name of the singer of great hits such as Lobo domesticado, Periquito Pin Pin and Doce rosas, died in Springfield, Massachusetts, according to his daughters Sandra, Glenda, Victoria and Patricia Tricoche in a message on Facebook.

What did Hector Tricoche die of?

The cause of death of the salsero is unknown. He was recognized for other songs such as No me tires la primera piedra and Lápiz de Carmín.

“Sad news, another great singer of our genre leaving us unexpectedly. He always treated me like a friend, a great human being and a singer. The domesticated wolf left us. Fly high Trico!!” said Puerto Rican salsero Víctor Manuelle on Facebook.

Singers mourn the death of Héctor Tricoche

For his part, Charlie Aponte, former singer of the legendary orchestra El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, said on social media: «We lost one of the most admired Salsa singers for his unique way of interpreting the songs he sang with a unique style and especially with the total passion he felt for music.”

«I identified a lot with him, because when we met in activities we saw him share with his father, just as I did with my father,» he added. In turn, the legendary Puerto Rican salsero Bobby Cruz expressed that this Monday «begins in mourning with the announcement of the departure of Héctor Tricoche,» sending his condolences to the singer’s family.

“A great loss for music”

“Héctor will always be remembered for Doce Rosas, Lobo Domesticado, Periquito Pin Pin, No me Tires la Primera Piedra, No Soy Automático. But his greatest legacy was his humility and having been a great human being,” he stressed. Likewise, the artist Tito Puente offered his condolences on Twitter. “Rest in peace these two incredible icons of this genre of Latin Music. Hector Tricoche and Pupy Pedroso. A great loss for lovers of salsa, Afro-Cuban and timba music around the world,” he wrote.

In turn, the veteran pianist and director of the orchestra, La Sonora Ponceña, Enrique «Papo» Lucca said: «With surprise and great sadness I have received the news of the death of our great friend and colleague Héctor Tricoche (RIP). Expressing my condolences to his family, relatives and our prayers are with you in this difficult time you are facing. With deep sorrow, Enrique ‘Papo’ Lucca and the Sonora Ponceña.”

The salsa genre has lost outstanding artists

Finally, fellow Puerto Rican singer Pedro Brull lamented in a message: “Our brother Héctor Tricoche has just left for the other neighborhood. Strength to his family and to the salsa class. Blessings.»

Since October 2020, the salsa genre has lost several prominent Puerto Rican artists, such as Roberto Roena, Cano Estremera, Tito Rojas, Paquito Guzmán, Ismael Rivera Jr., Tempo Alomar, Miguel Ángel Barcasnegras, better known as “Meñique”, and Jimmie Morales.