I’ve enjoyed the music of Johnny Ventura my entire life. Therefore, it saddens me to hear of his passing, although I realize that he enjoyed a long and successful, musical life. Ventura was 81. He passed away today, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, according to reports, from a heart attack.

Below is the Latin Recording Academy official statement (in both English and Spanish) regarding his career and accomplishments.

R.I.P. al gran Johnny Ventura

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The Latin Recording Academy^® statement about Johnny Ventura
 
With a career that spanned more than six decades, the Dominican singer and composer, dubbed El Caballo Negro, established himself as one of the most popular merengue and salsa artists of the last century. He recorded over 100 albums which included hits like “Patacón Pisao,” “Pitaste,” “El Elevador,” “La Agarradera,” “Capullo y Sorrullo” and “El Tabaco.” Ventura also had a storied political career in his native country where he served as mayor of Santo Domingo. He was a Latin GRAMMY winner who contributed to The Latin Recording Academy for many years as part of its Board of Trustees, and secretary of the Executive Committee. He was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.
 
Those of us who knew him and enjoyed his friendship express our fondest farewell with sorrow and gratitude.
 
Gabriel Abaroa, Jr. 
President/CEO
The Latin Recording Academy^®

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Declaraciones de La Academia Latina de la Grabación^® sobre Johnny Ventura
 
Cantante y compositor dominicano conocido como El Caballo Negro, cuya carrera abarcó más de seis décadas, se consolidó como uno de los más populares artistas de merengue y salsa del último siglo. Grabó más de 100 álbumes, que incluyeron éxitos como “Patacón Pisao”, “Pitaste”, “El Elevador”, “La Agarradera”, “Capullo y Sorullo” y “El Tabaco”. Ventura también tuvo una ilustre carrera política en su país, donde se desempeñó como alcalde de Santo Domingo. Ganador del Latin GRAMMY y miembro de La Academia Latina de la Grabación, fungió durante muchos años como parte de su Consejo Directivo, y del Comité Ejecutivo, además de haber recibido el Premio a la Excelencia Musical en 2006.
 
Los que lo conocimos y gozamos de su amistad lloramos su partida con mezcla de dolor y gratitud.
 
Gabriel Abaroa, Jr. 
Presidente/CEO
La Academia Latina de la Grabación^®

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Photo: Courtesy of The Latin Recording Academy/Omar Cruz