Boris Leonardo González Reyes, known artistically as Zalo Reyes and nicknamed the “sparrow of Conchalí”, considered one of the most shocking phenomena of success of Chilean popular culture, died this Sunday at the age of 69.
“A moment ago, it just ceased to exist,” said the family of the singer and voice of the hit “A tear in the throat”, who was about to turn his birthday on November 3 and who was in poor health due to diabetes that dragged since 2008.
“He did it in the dream and without suffering… We can only thank so much love and admiration during these 40 years of success, “lamented the relatives of the native of Conchalí. Zalo Reyes will be veiled this Monday in the commune and the place will be informed during this day.
It is worth mentioning that, when he was doing his military service in the Navy, there was another cadet González, so they nicknamed him “Gonzalito” which later led to “Zalito” and then “Zalo” when he chose his artistic letter of introduction. He wanted his pseudonym to sound Central American and with a popular air.
His first single was “Una lágrima y un recuerdo” (1978), by composer José Barette popularized by the Mexican group Miramar. It was a commercial boom and sold over sixty thousand copies. But then came the immortal “With a tear in the throat” (1979), by Roberto Livi. And in both he carried the bolero formula played with rock instruments, which had been introduced by Los Angeles Negros, or the Argentines Leo Dan or Yaco Monti.
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