Diomedes Díaz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Diomedes Díaz
Díaz in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Diomedes Díaz Maestre
Also known as	El Cacique de La Junta
Born	(1957-05-26)26 May 1957 San Juan del Cesar, La Guajira, Colombia
Died	22 December 2013(2013-12-22) (aged 56) Valledupar, Cesar, Colombia
Genres	Vallenato, Latin, dance-pop
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Singing
Years active	1976–2013
Labels	Sony Music
Associated acts	Rafael Orozco Maestre, Rafael Santos Díaz, Kaleth Morales

Diomedes Díaz Maestre (born May 26, 1957 – died December 22, 2013) was a very famous Colombian singer and songwriter. He was known for his unique vallenato music. People called him "El Cacique de la Junta" (which means "The Chieftain of La Junta"). This special nickname was given to him by another vallenato singer, Rafael Orozco Maestre, to honor Diomedes' hometown.

Diomedes Díaz sold more records than any other vallenato artist in history, with over 20 million albums sold during his career. Because of this, he received gold, platinum, and even diamond records, which was very rare in Colombia until 2008. In 2010, he won a Latin Grammy Award in the "Cumbia / Vallenato" category. Many people loved and admired Diomedes. His fans called themselves "diomedistas", and Diomedes called his fans his "fanaticada".

Biography

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Diomedes Díaz was born and grew up on a farm called "Carrizal" near La Junta, a town in San Juan del Cesar, La Guajira. His parents, Rafael María Díaz and Elvira Maestre, were not rich. Diomedes spent his childhood helping his parents and eight brothers and sisters with farm work. His uncle, Martín Elías, who was a well-known local musician, greatly influenced him.

When Diomedes was young, he started composing his first songs. He also tried singing, but at first, people jokingly called him "El chivato" (the little goat) because of his voice during puberty. He learned to play the guacharaca, a traditional vallenato instrument, and to sing verses. His uncle helped him train his voice and write songs. Soon, Diomedes became good enough to perform at parties.

He later moved to Villanueva to study elementary school. During this time, he had an accident where a friend accidentally hit his right eye while trying to get mangoes from a tree, causing him to lose sight in that eye.

Diomedes worked as a gardener to support himself. He later became a messenger for a radio station called Radio Guatapurí. He wanted to make friends with the radio hosts so they would play his songs. He worked there for eight months before leaving.

His friendship with singer Rafael Orozco led to the recording of the song "Cariñito de mi vida". This song helped Diomedes become known as a composer. It was also in this song that Rafael Orozco gave Diomedes the famous nickname "El Cacique de La Junta". Diomedes continued to work various jobs, always trying to connect with vallenato artists. He even worked as a helper for a music group, setting up microphones. His uncle Martín encouraged him to start singing more.

In 1975, Diomedes entered the "King of Unreleased Song" contest at the famous Vallenato Legend Festival. He won third place with his song "Hijo agradecido". He was going through tough times financially and even sold lemons to buy a cassette to record his song for the contest.

First Albums and Growing Fame

After the festival, in 1975, Diomedes recorded his first album, "Herencia vallenata", with accordion player Náfer Durán. This album helped him become known as a singer.

Then, with accordionist Elberto "El Debe" López, Diomedes recorded two more albums: "Tres canciones" in 1976 and "De frente" in 1977. Diomedes traveled to Bogota, where a music producer heard him sing and decided to sign him to a record label. For these albums, Diomedes included some of his own songs, like "Celos con rabia" and "La pollita".

In 1978, Diomedes Díaz became widely recognized with the album "La locura", which he recorded with accordion player Juancho Rois. This album was a big success in his music career.

Working with "Colacho" Mendoza (1978-1984)

Diomedes became even more famous when he teamed up with accordion player Nicolás "Colacho" Mendoza. Their first album together was "Dos grandes" in 1978. They released many successful albums, including "Los Profesionales" (1979), "Para mi fanaticada" (1980), and "Con mucho estilo" (1981). On the "Con mucho estilo" album, Diomedes included a song called "A mi papá" dedicated to his father, and "Bonita" inspired by his wife, Patricia Acosta.

Their last album together was "El mundo" in 1984. Diomedes included songs like "Mi muchacho" (inspired by his son Rafael Santos Díaz) and "Señora tristeza".

New Partnerships and Continued Success

In 1985, Diomedes started working with accordion player Gonzalo Arturo "El Cocha" Molina. Their first album was "Vallenato". They quickly became very successful, and in August 1985, they received a gold record for selling millions of copies. They also recorded "Brindo con el alma" (1986) and "Incontenibles" (1987). The song "Tu cumpleaños" from "Incontenibles" became incredibly popular in Colombia, often played more than the traditional "Happy Birthday To You" song at celebrations.

In 1988, Diomedes reunited with Juancho Rois. They recorded several hit albums, including "Ganó el folclor" (1988), "El cóndor herido" (1989), and "Título de amor" (1993). "Título de amor" was a massive success, selling over 600,000 copies and becoming their best-selling album together.

Around this time, Diomedes had a diamond placed in one of his teeth, which became one of his most famous features. In 1994, Diomedes and Juancho released "26 de mayo", which also sold hundreds of thousands of copies. They performed in huge venues like Madison Square Garden in New York and filled stadiums in Colombia and Venezuela.

Their partnership ended sadly when Juancho Rois passed away in a plane crash in Venezuela in November 1994. Diomedes was not on the plane.

Later Years and Final Albums

After Juancho Rois's death, Diomedes partnered with young accordionist Iván Zuleta in 1995. Iván was only 18 but very talented. Their first album, "Un canto celestial", was a tribute to Juancho Rois. They continued to release successful albums like "Muchas gracias" (1996) and "Mi biografía" (1997). Their albums sold millions of copies, earning them diamond and platinum awards.

In 1999, Diomedes recorded the album "Experiencias vividas" with accordionist Franco Argüelles. In 2002, he reunited with "El Cocha" Molina for the album "Gracias a Dios".

In 2003, while in a difficult situation, Diomedes recorded the album "Pidiendo via" with accordion player Juancho De la Espriella. He recorded his voice from a special room at the prison where he was staying.

He continued to record with different accordionists: Franco Argüelles again in 2005 for "De nuevo con mi gente", and Iván Zuleta again in 2007 for "La voz".

From 2009 until his death, Diomedes worked with accordionist Álvaro López. Their album "Listo pa 'la foto" won a Latin Grammy Award in 2010. They released "Con mucho gusto" in 2011 and "La vida del artista" in 2013. The song "El hermano Elías" from "La vida del artista" was one of his last.

A month before he passed away, Diomedes finished recording another album called "Entre Díaz y canciones" in November 2013. This album was released after his death and featured his sons Martín Elías and Rafael Santos Díaz.

Personal Life

Diomedes Díaz was born into a humble family and grew up in poverty. Despite this, he became very wealthy from his music, record sales, and other investments. He was known for being generous to his fans and others.

He was a very devoted follower of the Virgen Del Carmen, a religious figure. He often mentioned her in his songs and performances.

Family

Diomedes was one of ten children born to Rafael María Díaz and Elvira Maestre Hinojosa.

Diomedes Díaz had relationships with several women and had 28 recognized children with twelve of them. Some of his partners and children include:

Sad Loss of His Uncle

Diomedes was involved in a car accident on August 1, 1979, where his uncle and mentor, Martín Maestre, sadly passed away. Diomedes was driving a truck that crashed. Martín was thrown from the vehicle and hit his head, while Diomedes and others were injured.

To honor his uncle, Diomedes named one of his sons Martín Elías. Sadly, Martín Elías also passed away in a car accident at the same age as his uncle, 26.

Health Challenges

In April 1998, Diomedes experienced numbness in parts of his body and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare condition that affects the nervous system. He received treatment and therapy to recover.

Death

Diomedes Díaz passed away in Valledupar on December 22, 2013, at 6:15 p.m. He died from a heart attack while resting in his bed. His partner, Consuelo Martínez, noticed he wasn't moving and called an ambulance. Doctors confirmed his death was due to "natural causes." He was buried in a very large funeral on December 25 at the "Jardines del Ecce Homo" cemetery in Valledupar.

His last public performance was just two days before his death, on December 20, at a nightclub in Barranquilla.

Discography

Awards and Nominations

Latin Grammy Awards

Diomedes Díaz received one Latin Grammy Award and was nominated three other times.

Images for kids

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  Díaz in 2006

See also

In Spanish: Diomedes Díaz para niños