Myrta Silva
Encyclopedia
Myrta Silva was a Puerto Rican
singer, composer and television producer. She was known affectionately as "La Gorda De Oro".
. In 1928, Silva and her mother moved to New York, where she was to start a career in radio, theater and musical plays.
". In the late 1930s, she met the renowned Puerto Rican
composer Rafael Hernández, who convinced her to join his "Cuarteto Victoria". Myrta traveled with the group all over Latin-America. Sometime later, she was also to sing for another renowned composer, Pedro Flores
in his "Sexteto Flores, where she was joined by Daniel Santos
and Pedro Ortiz Davila
(aka "Davilita").
. In 1942, she composed "En Mi Soledad" (In My Solitude), recorded by Daniel Santos, which became a hit in Latin-America and in the Latin communities in the United States. In 1944, she wrote "Asi es la Vida", (That's Life) and "Facil de Recordar" (Easy to Remember), which she wrote while she was performing in Havana, Cuba.
Silva had become an international singing star and was known as "The Queen of the Guarachera" by her public in Latin-America. From 1947 to 1949, she became the lead singer in the legendary Cuban guaracha-group, the Sonora Matancera
, while at the same time she continued to compose and to receive many recognitions for her work. Traveling throughout Latin America with the group, Silva acquired many acclaims due to her performances, Argentina
named her the "best-selling artist" in that country and in 1950, she was proclaimed by the pre-Castro
Cuban government "The Most Popular Artist". When she decided to leave the group in the early 1950, she was replaced by Celia Cruz
a young school teacher turned singer who went on to become known as the "Queen of Salsa".
In the 1970s, Silva wrote "No Te Vayas de Mi Vida" (Stay In My Life) which was recorded and made popular by Evelyn Souffront. In 1971, Silva returned to Puerto Rico with her television show "Una Hora Contigo" which this time was transmitted on Canal 11. This show was among the most popular programs in Puerto Rico
.
Silva suffered from senility or Alzheimer's disease
in her last years. One day while showering, she accidentally scalded herself with the hot water and suffered 3rd degree burns. Myrta Silva died on December 2, 1987, in Arecibo, aged 70 and was buried in "Cementerio Antiguo de San Juan" (old San Juan Cemetery) in San Juan, Puerto Rico
.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
singer, composer and television producer. She was known affectionately as "La Gorda De Oro".
Early years
Silva's father died when she was only six years old. She was raised by her mother, who also served as her source of inspiration and whom Silva and her fans referred to as "Mama Yeya". In 1927, Silva made her first public presentation at the "Oliver Theater" in AreciboArecibo
Arecibo may refer to:*Arecibo, Puerto Rico, a municipality located by the Atlantic Ocean*Arecibo Observatory, a very sensitive radio telescope located approximately south-southwest from the city of Arecibo...
. In 1928, Silva and her mother moved to New York, where she was to start a career in radio, theater and musical plays.
Singing career
Silva worked in a cabaret when she was "discovered" and offered a 10 year contract by "RCARCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
". In the late 1930s, she met the renowned Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
composer Rafael Hernández, who convinced her to join his "Cuarteto Victoria". Myrta traveled with the group all over Latin-America. Sometime later, she was also to sing for another renowned composer, Pedro Flores
Pedro Flores (composer)
Pedro Flores born was one Puerto Rico's best known composers of Ballads and Boleros.-Early years:Flores was one of 12 children born into a poor family in the town of Naguabo, Puerto Rico. Flores' father died when he was only nine years old and therefore, he was forced to work at a young age...
in his "Sexteto Flores, where she was joined by Daniel Santos
Daniel Santos (singer)
Daniel Santos was a singer and composer of boleros, and an overall performer of multiple Caribbean music genres, including guaracha, plena and rumba...
and Pedro Ortiz Davila
Pedro Ortiz Davila
Pedro Ortiz Davila a.k.a. "Davilita" was a popular singer of boleros and Puerto Rican patriotic songs.-Early years:...
(aka "Davilita").
Composer
In 1941, Silva composed her first song "Cuando Vuelvas" (When you return) recorded by Ruth FernándezRuth Fernández
Ruth Fernández, a.k.a. Titi Ruth , is a Puerto Rican singer and former member of the Puerto Rican Senate. According to the "Comisiones Nacionales para la Celebración del Quinto Centenario" is said to be one of three artists whose contributions have helped unite Latin America...
. In 1942, she composed "En Mi Soledad" (In My Solitude), recorded by Daniel Santos, which became a hit in Latin-America and in the Latin communities in the United States. In 1944, she wrote "Asi es la Vida", (That's Life) and "Facil de Recordar" (Easy to Remember), which she wrote while she was performing in Havana, Cuba.
Silva had become an international singing star and was known as "The Queen of the Guarachera" by her public in Latin-America. From 1947 to 1949, she became the lead singer in the legendary Cuban guaracha-group, the Sonora Matancera
Sonora Matancera
La Sonora Matancera is a long-time band. Led by guitarist and vocalist Rogelio Martínez, La Sonora Matancera has been called, by the Guinness Book of World Records, "the group with the longest duration."...
, while at the same time she continued to compose and to receive many recognitions for her work. Traveling throughout Latin America with the group, Silva acquired many acclaims due to her performances, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
named her the "best-selling artist" in that country and in 1950, she was proclaimed by the pre-Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
Cuban government "The Most Popular Artist". When she decided to leave the group in the early 1950, she was replaced by Celia Cruz
Celia Cruz
Celia Cruz was a Cuban-American salsa singer, and was one of the most successful Salsa performers of the 20th century, having earned twenty-three gold albums...
a young school teacher turned singer who went on to become known as the "Queen of Salsa".
Madame Chencha
In 1956, Silva produced and transmitted from New York a television program, Una Hora Contigo (An Hour with You). The show was transmitted by Canal 4 in Puerto Rico and Myrta moved back to the island. In her show she created the innovative character of "Madame Chencha". "Madame Chencha" became the first T.V. character dedicated to "rumors". This character created a lot of controversy between public figures and the television station, and as a consequence, Silva decided to leave the program and return to New York City.In New York
In New York, she composed "Puerto Rico del Alma" (Puerto Rico of my Soul). Between 1962 and 1964, she composed the following hit songs: "Que Sabes Tu" ("What do you know?"), "Tengo que Acostumbrarme" ("I Have To Get Used To It"), "Juguetes del Destino" ("Toys of Destiny"), and many others. Among her recordings are the following: Voces Romanticas de Puerto Rico (Romantic voices of Puerto Rico), La Bombonera de San Juan (The Bombonera of San Juan) and La Compositora E interprete (The Composer and Interpreter).Una Hora Contigo (An Hour with You)
During the mid 60"s Silva hosted a weekly music variety TV show "Una Hora Contigo" (An Hour with You) on New York Cities first Spanish language television station, WNJU-TV Channel 47. The program was hugely popular among the Latino audience prompting the station to add an additional weekly program hosted by Silva titled "Tira y Tapate".In the 1970s, Silva wrote "No Te Vayas de Mi Vida" (Stay In My Life) which was recorded and made popular by Evelyn Souffront. In 1971, Silva returned to Puerto Rico with her television show "Una Hora Contigo" which this time was transmitted on Canal 11. This show was among the most popular programs in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
Later years
Silva was active in many charities and she also participated in many pro-Hispanic activities in the U.S. During the 1980s Silva had a program in the government television channel dedicated to music and composers.Silva suffered from senility or Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
in her last years. One day while showering, she accidentally scalded herself with the hot water and suffered 3rd degree burns. Myrta Silva died on December 2, 1987, in Arecibo, aged 70 and was buried in "Cementerio Antiguo de San Juan" (old San Juan Cemetery) in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican Songwriters