My condolences to his Family
Tito Lara one of the founding members of the legendary Parang Group the Lara Brothers died today.
The band started its musical journey in the 1940’s and has been described as one of the enduring and popular Parang bands in the country.
Details of his passing are still coming to hand but News Power understands he had been ailing for some time.
National Parang Association Official Ricardo Rambally in an interview with News Power said his death is great loss to the fraternity and the nation.
Info from power 102 fm
Parang mourns great loss
By LARA PICKFORD-GORDON Saturday, February 28 2009
THE local parang community was yesterday mourning the sudden passing of Tito Lara, veteran vocalist and cuatro player, who along with his brother Willie Lara, kept traditional parang music alive with their band the Lara Brothers.
Tito, 82, was walking along
Blackford Road in Cantaro at about 12.40 pm when he suddenly fell, hit his head and collapsed at the side of the road. He died near his home.
Neighbour Lincoln Roberts, who lived in the house opposite to where Lara fell, said “some kids came and told me a gentleman fell down and when I looked I saw it was Mr Tito. I just came up put some water on him, put something under his head, like he got a seizure or something from the heat.” Lara died shortly after. He would have been 83 on April 13.
His body was covered with a pink sheet and lay on the road for three hours before the District Medical Officer arrived. Several family members kept vigil over the body.
Willie Lara said his brother was ailing last year but had gotten better for Christmas. Both brothers performed for the past 63 years.
“It was the both of us for so long and then to see one of us gone it means we have to practice afresh now. Fresh business have to take place. We have to start all over again. We have his son here and other members to carry on,” Lara said.
Music was a significant part of Tito’s life and Willie laughed aloud as he recalled how his brother “come from playing at a show and when he reach home he didn’t feel to sleep he would just start playing the cuatro and sing.”
Tito was a father of nine and had several grandchildren. Manager for Lara Brothers, Eugene Lopez said Tito will be missed but the band will continue. He said the band had performed for more than two months while Tito was ill last year.
The Lara brothers band originally comprised Willie, Antonio also known as “Toy”, Tito and Victor Lara. “Que Venga” and “La Gaita” are among the Lara Brothers’ best known hits.
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