Diomedes Diaz Maestre was to Latin America what Micheal Jackson was to the rest of the world. He was a musical genius who sang, wrote, and composed music, and is widely revered as one of the biggest talents to grace the vallenato music scene.
The Colombian star began his musical career at an early age singing at parties and local events in his neighborhood, and by the end of his illustrious 40-year recording career, he had sold over 20 million albums in his country alone.
Bio: Life and Death of Diomedes Diaz
Born on May 26, 1957, in San Juan del Cesar, La Guajira, Venezuela, Diomedes Diaz began his life in abject poverty. His parents, Rafael Maria Diaz and Elvira Maestre were poor farmers who struggled to make ends meet and put food in the bellies of their nine children.
While he was still very young, his uncle noticed that he was musically gifted and began helping Diomedes train his voice and teaching him the art of writing and composing songs. Soon afterward, Diomedes began making a name for himself as a local singer. He would get invited to perform at weddings, birthday parties, reunions, and other events.
However, Diomedes wasn’t comfortable with being just a small-town star so he moved to Valledupar where he worked as a gardener and bike messenger for a radio station. This job allowed him to meet renowned musicians and fast-rising vallenato stars, with whom he began recording music.
His songs started getting airplay on radio stations across the Columbia and he became a viral sensation, a musical tour de force.
He Passed Away In December 2013
Sadly, the musician’s life came to an end on December 22, 2013, after he suffered a heart attack. Diomedes was only 56 at the time and his funeral was attended by thousands of people. The mayor of Valledupar declared four days of mourning in the departed legend’s honor.
Death has not dimmed the singer-songwriter’s popularity as his songs are still being blasted at parties, clubs, dancehalls, weddings, shopfronts, and houses throughout Colombia daily.
The Significant Accomplishment of His Musical Career
Nicknamed El Cacique de La Junta (The Chief of La Junta), Diomedes Diaz kicked off his musical career in his early teens. In 1977, shortly after he officially broke into the vallenato music scene, Diomedes won third place in the best new song category at the Vallenato Legend Festival.
Later that same year, he released his first solo studio album titled Herencia Vallenato. By the 1980s, Diomedes had established himself as one of the best-selling artists in Columbia. He began releasing an album every year to mark his birthday.
Diomedes went on to win a 2010 Latin Grammy Award for Best Vallenato album with his record Listo Pa’ la Foto. His work was also nominated for this prestigious award on three other occasions.
The acclaimed musician recorded hundreds of songs and 30 albums over the span of his four-decade career. At the time of his passing, Diomedes had just released his latest album, La Vida del Artista (Life of the Master).
Wife and Family Life of Diomedes Diaz
Diomedes Diaz was married to Consuelo Martinez at the time of his death. However, it’s unclear when exactly the couple tied the knot or how long they were married. Her union with the late star-produced children whose names the general public is unaware of.
5 Unknown Facts About the Late Musician
Here are some lesser-known facts about the illustrious musician that might astound you:
1. He Was Jailed for Manslaughter
Diomedes was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2002 for the death of his friend. Doris Adriana Nino overdosed and was asphyxiated while attending a party in the singer’s home in 1997. Rather than report the event to the police, Diomedes got rid of her body and fled to the hills where he claimed sanctuary with paramilitary groups.
2. Diomedes Diaz Recorded Albums While in Prison
He recorded three albums while he was incarcerated in prison and triumphantly returned to the music scene with a much-anticipated comeback tour after he was set free.
3. How He Lost His Right Eye
Due to his poor upbringing, the vallenato star was malnourished as a kid. He became blind in his right eye after one of his childhood playmates attacked his face with a mango pit.
4. He Fathered Dozens of Children
Diaz was a notorious womanizer and fathered over 28 children with different women in the course of his life.
5. And Was an Addict
The singer struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for most of his adult life and would often miss shows or arrive very late as a result, But despite this, he remained one of Colombia’s most popular and prolific artists.
