Chirino:Portrait of the champion of Salsa

Wilfredo Jose Chirino better known as Chirino then Willy Chirino born in Consulacion del Sur,Pinar del Rio Cuba, a proud Guajiro Cubano or in other words a proud Cuban country boy. Willy was the only boy and his siblings three girls. Originally, Willy did not come from a musical family and yet he became legend and icon in Latin Music and music in general. Willy's life and childhood and life in Cuba was happy and calm and perfect. He became an expert horse back rider and he was also artistic with which he won art awards. Unfortunately, that ended when the regime destroyed the island and Willy's parents fearing what the regime was going to do their children sent Willy to America ahead of the rest of his family to America through a Catholic program called "Operation:Pedro Pan" which airlifted 14,000 children out and Willy was one of them. He spent one year before reuniting with his family.

Willy is a proud Cuban patriot and activist as well an activist for human rights and animals and helps his wife Lissette's foundation "Fur Angels Rescue". He has his own foundation known as "The Willy Chirino foundation". Through his work and outside Willy works tirelessly for the freedom of Cuba. One night after a show Willy is in his car on the way home when he saw a car go off of the road and into the water where the passengers were stuck in the car and were unable to get out. So Willy quickly thinking jumped into the water and saved the two men from what would have been their watery grave. In a ceremony Willy was given a rock as a piece of the bridge as a thank you for saving the men from their deaths.

Willy in his music career has had an extraordinary career. Recently, he celebrated his 50th year in the music business. Many of the songs of Willy's are anthems in the fight for freedom in Cuba his homeland from communism as well as other places effected by communism. Willy is also a proud American as well his adopted home country. Willy is one of the creators of the sound known as the Miami sound. Also for his album "Son del Alma" Willy had won his first Grammy Award. Years later in either 2013 or 2014 Willy won the deserved Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Grammys.

One song in particular Nuestro dia (Ya Viene Llegando") from his 1991 album "Oxigeno" is one of the first anthems for Cuba from Willy and their will be others. Willy has always been in touch with his inner child and believes in never stopping dreaming. He is a wonderful friend, husband, and grandfather.

He has been blessed with 6 children Angie, Jesse,Olgui,Alana,Nicolle,Gian Franco and 4 grandchildren Elis, Aj,Dashiel, John Williams. Outisde of music Willy used to own and run a restaurant called "Zarabanda". Speaking on behalf of myself Willy means the world to me and I am blessed to call him a dear friend as well as a role model and father figure which is something I lacked for many years.

Success never changed Willy he never let it go to his head, he is a regular guy and down to earth as well who has been blessed by God with great successes and talents. Willy is a well known fan of the Beatles and in 2011 released his tribute "My Beatles Heart" and through that album Willy even made a fan of The Beatles out of me. Willy is not only Cuba he is also Miami too through and through.