McAllen, TX — Federico “El Pollo” Estevan, the founder and musical director of the Mexican cumbia band Grupo Pegasso, passed away on July 24, 2023, at his home in McAllen, Texas, of natural causes, according to milenio.com.
Estevan was born in Cerralvo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, and started his musical career in 1979, when he left his previous band, Renacimiento 74, and formed Grupo Pegasso. He was the guitar player and the main composer of the band, which created a distinctive style of cumbia music known as cumbia pegassera, characterized by synthesizer and guitar riffs.
Grupo Pegasso became one of the most popular and influential bands in the genre, with hits such as “Se Tambalea”, “El No Te Quiere”, “Mentiras”, and “Eres Tu”. The band also toured extensively in Mexico and the United States, where they had a large fan base.
Estevan was also a mentor and a friend to many musicians in the industry, such as Bronco, Liberación, and others, who expressed their condolences and admiration for him on social media. His legacy will live on through his music and his band, which will continue to perform with his style and spirit.
“Although he is no longer with us physically, he has left us a great legacy that will live on forever through his unique musical style, and songs that have brought so much joy and inspiration to all of us through several generations,” Grupo Pegasso shared via social media. “The wish of Pollo Estevan is that Pegasso keeps flying, bringing joy to his beloved audience who has supported us for so many years.”
His funeral will be held privately, but a public tribute is planned to be announced soon.
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