Singer Rubby Pérez, who performed at Dominican Republic nightclub during roof collapse, dead at 69
Merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who had been performing at the doomed nightclub in the Dominican Republic when its roof collapsed, was among the 98 people declared dead.
He was 69 years old.
Pérez’s manager, Enrique Paulino, confirmed news of the musician’s death. He told local media at the scene that the group’s saxophonist was also crushed to death at the renowned Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo.
Following the news of his death, Pérez’s profile picture on Instagram was changed to black. However, no additional details about his death have been released as crews search for potential survivors in the rubble.
According to the singer’s family, he was initially pulled alive from the destroyed one-story nightclub after officials “found him singing.”
He was immediately transferred to the Plaza de Salud hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.
“We hope to God that he recovers soon … He’s injured, but he’s hospitalized; they found him singing. He started singing so they could hear him. He’s always told me, ‘If something ever happens to me, cover me so no one takes pictures,’” his daughter Zulinka Pérez told Spanish news outlet Noticias Telemicro before his death was confirmed.
The singer’s brother, former Major League infielder Neifi Pérez, was not present at the club during the tragedy.
The beloved merengue singer released a total of 13 albums after kickstarting a solo career in 1987.
Some of the albums went on to become certified Gold in countries including Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, El Colombiano reports.
Pérez was best known for hits like “Volveré,” “Buscando tus Besos” and “Dame Veneno.”
On Wednesday morning, Dominican Republic National Police confirmed on Instagram that the death toll had risen to 98 and a total of 155 people had been transported to nearby hospitals.
“We continue clearing debris and searching for people,” said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations on Tuesday night, according to the Associated Press.
“We’re going to search tirelessly for people.”
Among the confirmed dead are several former athletes, including former World Series champion Octavio Dotel, former Major League Baseball player Tony Blanco and father of current Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Tony Blanco Jr..
Dotel — who started as a Mets prospect and won a ring with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 — and Tony Blanco — who played briefly for the Washington Nationals — died shortly after the roof caved in.
Dotel was pulled alive from the rubble, but died while being transported to a hospital, according to MLB reporter Hector Gomez.
Head of emergency operations Gen. Juan Manuel Mendez confirmed to Noticias SIN that Dotel, 51, had accompanied Blanco, 45, to the famed venue, which often hosted live performances during the week.
Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi, was also among the dead, authorities said. Cruz is the sister of former major league slugger Nelson Cruz.
