Chivirico Davila Memorial Page

Chivirico Davila obituary by Al Santiago.
Source: www.descarga.com

Rafael Chivirico Davila died of a heart attack October 5, 1994 while watching television. The
mass card given at his wake at the Rivera Funeral Home in the Bronx stated that Chivi was born
in 1921, but his daughter, Amber, and his son, Israel, told me he was born in 1924. Chivi was 70
years old but was careful with his diet, and took care of himself. I attended his wake early
Saturday evening with Frankie Figueroa and shortly after Orlando Marin arrived. All four of us
had spent July 4, 1994 at an Orchard Beach concert with the Alegre All Stars. Chivi and Frankie
were the main singers and Chivi was full of energy and looking good.

Last year ('93) he went on tour to Colombia with Orlando's four trumpet Conjunto and of course
they played "Se Te Quemo La Casa," their biggest hit. I remember that in 1961 ('62?), when "La
Casa" was released, Chivi actually had a death threatening fire in his apartment and his wife and
son barely got out to safety. Some time later the Alegre All-Stars recorded "El Manicer" and Chivi
was singing an improvisation about "La Jaula" which of course means jail. After the release of
the LP, Chivi found himself in jail for back alimony payments. These two incidents are examples
of life imitating art.

After those two incidents we were glad he never sang about poison, plane crashes, car accidents
or drowning. Chivirico was my favorite singer and he knew it, 'cause I told him many times.
Chivi sang well, not only melodically and rhythmically but in key. He had a beautiful timbre and
could improvise as well or better than most. He sang with many bands including: Tito Puente,
Perez Prado, Orlando Marin, Pacheco, Kako, and also the Alegre All-Stars.

Chivirico, an Alegre All-Star has gone to join the Celestial All-Stars. Chivirico, say hello to
Charlie, Louie, Barry, Malabe, Maldonado, and Kako.