Senator Blanca Rodríguez's Heartfelt Farewell to Musician Friend Rada: 'Exquisite Artist' with 'Hilarious Humor'

Senator Blanca Rodríguez, a member of the Frente Amplio party, shared her deep affection and admiration for the late musician and composer Ruben Rada, who died Wednesday at the age of 83. Describing herself as a friend of Rada, Rodríguez expressed that she holds "the best memories" of him, valuing him both as a person and a professional.

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I was a friend of Rada.

"He was truly an exquisite musician," Rodríguez stated in an interview with El País during Rada's wake. She noted his remarkable ability to master various instruments and replicate sounds with his voice, transcending the common association of him with candombe. Rada's musical journey encompassed diverse genres, including blues, jazz, bolero, plena, and murga. Rodríguez highlighted his "privileged ear" despite being self-taught, concluding that Rada left behind a legacy of "exquisite music" and a "style of joy."

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He was truly an exquisite musician.

Rodríguez recalled Rada's wish: "When I die, I don't want tears or sorrow." She observed that this wish was being honored at his wake, where a "line of people under the rain" gathered to bid farewell. "This is the best tribute for him and all his people," she remarked, interpreting the large turnout as a testament to his impact.

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Rada has left us a legacy of exquisite music, but also a style of joy, of getting on stage and spreading that joy and celebrating life each time.

Reflecting on Rada's extensive catalog, Rodríguez mentioned songs from his early career like 'Las Manzanas,' 'Orejas,' and 'Dedos,' contrasting them with his later hits often played at celebrations. She also fondly remembered their "hilarious" on-air exchanges when she hosted the news program Subrayado and he was a judge on the show 'La Voz.' "He had a hilarious sense of humor, I will miss that a lot. People with that sense of humor are not abundant," she concluded.

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When I die, I don't want tears or sorrow.