I was sad to learn yesterday of the death of Compay Segundo, the legendary Cuban musician from the Buena Vista Social Club. He was 95 years young, and I mean young.

Two years ago, I was among the lucky concertgoers who saw him perform at the NC Museum of Art. I was totally blown away that the performer up there just making his guitar absolutely sing was also ninety-three years old! And he was on tour even, giving these energetic performances night after night.

The man certainly knew how to love life, that’s for sure. I hope to be as full of life at that age as he was. He was known to chase skirts, drink rum, and to smoke cigars well past the point he should have known better. And yet, he lived life better at 90 than most people do at any time in their lives.

Hats off to you, Compay. Thanks for the music. It was your fountain of youth. I’ll spin the Buena Vista Social Club CD, close my eyes, and try to remember how sweet that sweet guitar sounded in person.

Here’s a nice profile of Compay from the Miami Herald. Scroll down near the end to read it.