Rubby Pérez, a merengue icon known for his powerful voice, tragically passed away on April 8, 2025, during a performance at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The roof of the nightclub collapsed around 12:44 a.m. AST, killing at least 124 people and injuring over 250 others. Pérez was performing a beloved merengue set when disaster struck, leaving the crowd in chaos and horror.
Pérez, aged 69, had an illustrious career in the music industry. Known as “La voz más alta del merengue” (“The Highest Voice of Merengue”), he became a household name in the 1980s as a member of Wilfrido Vargas’s orchestra before launching a successful solo career. His hits like Buscando Tus Besos and Enamorado De Ella have left an indelible mark on Dominican music culture.
On the fateful night, Pérez was preparing to perform his well-known tracks when the structure of the club failed, leading to the collapse. Eyewitnesses report that the roof gave way unexpectedly, sending thousands of tons of debris onto the crowd below. Among the victims were also former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, adding to the tragedy’s national impact. The collapse is still under investigation, with rescue operations ongoing to find survivors.
The loss of Pérez, alongside the fatalities of so many others, has left the Dominican Republic in mourning. In response, President Luis Abinader declared three days of national mourning from April 8 to 10, and national flags flew at half-mast across the country.
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