Home / Arts and Entertainment / Market Trader Becomes Music Star at 80
Market Trader Becomes Music Star at 80
7 Oct
Summary
- An 80-year-old market trader found music fame late in life.
- He leads Los Crack del Puerto, a band celebrating traditional music.
- His music career began seriously at age 65, a late but celebrated start.
Luis Gómez, widely recognized as JM, is an 80-year-old from Valparaíso, Chile, celebrated as one of the last artists of a golden generation. Born in 1945, he spent most of his life working at a market from the age of eight until he was 65. At that age, he began pursuing his passion for music seriously.
JM is the charismatic frontman of Los Crack del Puerto, a band that performs traditional music from Valparaíso's past. The band released their fourth record, "Lo Mucho que Nos Queda," on cassette in May 2026, receiving significant acclaim. Despite his age and previous life, JM electrifies audiences with his performances, a stark contrast to his earlier humble profession.
His cousin, Juan Navarro (Juanín), was his lifelong musical companion until Juanín's passing in 2025 at 87. Together, they entertained in Valparaíso's bars for years before forming the band with other musicians in 2017. JM continues to perform, finding joy and release in singing, proving it's never too late to pursue a passion.
