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Latin Music Icon Piero Dies, Leaving Legacy of Peace
9 Oct
Summary
- Piero, celebrated songwriter, passed away on October 7th at age 81.
- His music often addressed social issues and inspired Latin American artists.
- He later shifted to social activism, founding organic farms for vulnerable youth.
Piero Antonio Franco De Benedictis, a pivotal figure in Latin American songwriting, passed away on October 7th at the age of 81. His family confirmed his death, remembering his enduring message of peace and his impactful music.
Born in Italy in 1945, Piero emigrated to Argentina as a child and rose to fame in the early 1970s. His albums, particularly the trilogy starting with Pedro Nadie (1970), established him as a politically engaged artist. Collaborating with poet José Tcherkasky, he penned socially conscious songs like "Valdemar, El Brasilero" and "Los Americanos."
Facing political persecution, Piero went into exile in 1976, living in Italy and Spain. Despite his absence, his 1975 children's album, Sinfonía inconclusa en la mar, remained an icon in Colombia. He planned his return to Argentina in 1981, forming the band Prema and reaching new heights of popularity.
In his later career, Piero moved away from protest songs, focusing on social activism. He founded an organic farm in Campana for teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds and, by the mid-1990s, expanded this initiative into a network of 200 organic farms. His artistic legacy continues through his children, with his son and daughter also pursuing musical careers.
