Celso Piña
Celso Piña Arvizu (April 6, 1953 – August 21, 2019) was a Mexican singer, composer and accordionist,[1] mainly in the genre of cumbia, being one of the most important musicians in the style of "cumbia rebajada".
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Piña and the second or maternal family name is Arvizu.Celso Piña
Celso Pina
April 6, 1953
Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
August 21, 2019 (aged 66)
- Singer-songwriter
- musician
- producer
Accordion
- Vocals
- accordion
1980–2019
Piña was a pioneer in the mixture and fusion of tropical sounds with many of his works having elements of cumbia, regional mexicano, cumbia sonidera, ska, reggae, rap/hip-hop, R&B, etc. Piña is also known as El Rebelde del acordeón or the Cacique de la Campana.
Early life[edit]
Celso Piña Arvizu was born on April 6, 1953, in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico to Tita Arvizu and Isaac Piña.[2] He was the oldest of 9 siblings. The name of Celso was chosen by his grandfather.[3]
Throughout his childhood and teenage years, he worked different jobs like working in a tortilla bakery, painter, helper in mechanic shops, carpet installer, among others. Meanwhile he listened to groups like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and musica norteña like that of Los Alegres de Teran and Antonio Tanguma.[4]
Death and remembrance[edit]
On August 21, 2019, Piña died from a heart attack in Monterrey, Mexico at the age of 66.[23] He had felt unwell and checked in at the hospital San Vicente of his own accord and passed soon after.[24]
A mass was held in his memory at the Basílica de Guadalupe of the Independencia neighborhood, where he was honored by hundreds of followers. After the service, his casket was driven around the neighborhood for a final time.[25] A concert honoring his legacy was held in the Macroplaza de Monterrey on August 28, 2019, with performances from artists like El Gran Silencio, Inspector, Los Siriguayos, Kombolocos, Los Kumbiamberos Rs, among others.[26]
A series of murals with his image were created in the Independencia neighborhood. The Monterrey government has discussed naming a street in the city after Celso Piña.[27]
Documentary[edit]
The documentary Celso Piña: el rebelde del acordeón (2012), describes the rise of the sonidero groups and the widespread popularity of Colombian cumbia en La Indep, the Monterey neighborhood that Celso Piña was raised in and where he was the first to interpret the genre live in dances and family parties.[28]