Famed merengue vocalist Rubby Pérez helped ring in the new year with an impressive midnight set at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Tragically, the ceiling collapsed under the weight, killing Pérez and at least 113 others. The unspeakable event—which took place during Pérez’s headlining concert on the night of April 9—reverberated through the music community and far beyond.
Inside, emergency crews have been working around the clock to comb the debris for any possible survivors more than 24 hours after the tragedy. The tragedy struck right after Pérez had hit the stage, wowing festival-goers with his high-energy performances. He was declared dead that same morning on April 9. His saxophonist, Luis Solís, who was his nephew, similarly lost his life in the rubble.
Rubby Pérez, celebrated for his contributions to merengue music, launched a successful solo career in 1987 after initially gaining fame with the Wilfrido Vargas Orchestra. His efforts and those of the orchestra took merengue to the world stage. His countless hits turned into anthems that represented the genre’s globalization. Pérez’s history of producing platinum albums continued. In 2010, he was honored by the Committee of Latin American Political Parties in the United States.
Beyond his immense musical stature, Pérez was a humanitarian force. A tireless advocate, he attended to the needs of survivors of the catastrophic 2010 earthquake in Haiti, cementing his legacy even outside of music. His unexpected death has left not just a gap on the racecourse, but one in the hearts of fans and fellow industry members as well.
The tragic roof collapse has not only claimed Pérez’s life but has raised concerns regarding safety regulations in entertainment venues across the region. The Jet Set club was well-known for drawing the hottest events. Now, it is the epicenter of a community mourning the recent loss of beloved icons of bossa nova.
In a poignant act of unity, Major League Baseball paid tribute to former players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco. They were all part of the community that tragically lost their lives in the disaster. This tragic concert incident has sparked debate and reexamination of safety measures for public spaces. There is now a concerted effort to improve emergency preparedness so that we don’t have such heart-wrenching incidents again.