Omar Geles, popularly known as a singer/songwriter who was previously nominated for the Latin Grammys, has died just days after after his performance on May 18 at the El Campín Stadium in Bogotá. He was 57 years old.
According to the Colombian local newspaper El Tiempo, Geles passed away on May 21, 2024, at Clínica Erasmo in Colombia.
El Nuevo Siglo reported that he was rushed to the hospital after suffering a heart attack during a tennis game at a country club. He died shortly after arriving at the medical facility.
Quien iba a creer que SILVESTRE DANDONG el día sábado le estaba dando las gracias y agradeciéndole su carrera musical al hoy fallecido OMAR GELES 💔
El homenaje era para Silvestre pero sin saberlo se estaban despidiendo de ti Negro🙌🙏 vuela alto,Dios te reciba en su santo reino. pic.twitter.com/BmEL2Fcrb3— Breiner Hernández (@Breinerhdz) May 22, 2024
During his performance on May 18, which now tragically appears to be his final one, he was accompanied by fellow musicians Churo Díaz, Diego Daza, Rafa Peréz, Penchi Castro, Karen Lizarazo, Gusi, and Elder Dayan.
The outlet also noted that weeks before his performance, he had suffered a "decompensation" on April 27 after performing in Miami. He was taken to the hospital at the time and recovered.
Following his initial health woe last month, Geles took to social media to express his gratitude for surviving the incident, writing, "Being grateful is the most precious gift, and I have no way to repay you because you were attentive to my health."
He told his fans he has "a big handful of songs" to be released soon.
Following his shocking death, his good friends shared their deepest condolences online, with Carlos Vives writing, "It's not easy to accept that an artist like Omar Geles, with so much talent, so much joy, so many stories to tell, so much love for people has suddenly left."
On the other hand, Miguel Morales took to Instagram to reflect on his friendship with Geles, saying he was his brother, partner, friend, colleague, and a source of what he is today.
According to Billboard, Geles rose to fame in 1985 when he and Morales established the band Los Diablitos. Throughout their career as a group, they released songs like "Cómo le Pago a mi Dios" and "Los Caminos de la Vida."
Morales later left the group, which opted for Geles to change the band's name to La Gente de Omar Geles.
Throughout his career, the late musician received two Latin Grammy nods for his albums Prueba Superada in 2010 and Histórico -A Dúo Con Los Grandes.
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