Tragedy occurred in the early hours of Tuesday (April 8) at Santo Domingo’s Jet Set nightclub when its roof caved in as popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez took the stage. Fans and family members were in confusion regarding the fate of the singer in the hours that followed the incident. His death was only confirmed a little after 5 p.m.
Rubby Pérez, 69, was a popular Dominican music personality who was famous for merengue songs like “Tu Vas a Volar,” “Enamorado de Ella,” and the collaborative song “15,500 Noches” with Romeo Santos, Toño Rosario, Fernandito Villalona, and Ramon Orlando.
Hope had emerged earlier in the day when Pérez’s daughter, Zulinka Pérez, said that he had been rescued alive from the rubble. He’s hurt, but he’s inside; they found him singing,” she said in an interview with reporters. “He began singing so that they could hear him.” Zulinka, also a backup singer for her father, was there when the stage collapsed. She explained the harrowing moment, saying her husband protected her with his body and got stuck, while other members of the band were seriously injured or killed. “The bass player is in critical condition,” she continued. “One of the saxophone players is dead.”
During this turmoil, some Dominican media sources indicated that Pérez had been admitted to Centro de Medicina Avanzada (CEDIMAT) hospital in Santo Domingo. The hospital later released a statement indicating it had taken in six patients in stable condition, but did not identify them, further creating confusion.
In the later part of the afternoon, Pérez’s brother addressed the media, denying previous reports and affirming that the singer had not been rescued nor taken to any hospital. “At the moment, he has not been rescued from the rubble,” he replied. “It’s more than 14 hours since the collapse. Only God’s grace can really perform a miracle.”
The collapse of Jet Set’s roof claimed a tragic cost — more than 60 were killed and over 160 were injured. What caused the collapse is not yet known.
The mystery of Rubby Pérez’s last hours mirrors the confusion and devastation of the tragedy, ending the life of one of merengue’s most popular voices in a sad way.
