Crescencio Camacho

Crescencio Camacho Olivo was a Colombian singer and songwriter. He was a member of Pedro Laza y sus Pelayeros, and later led his own orchestra.

Biography

Early life

Camacho was born on 14 September 1918 in Villanueva, in the Colombian department of Bolívar. His parents were Rafael Camacho and Ana Isabel Olivo.

Music career

Pedro Laza heard Camacho singing in Villanueva, and invited him to join his orchestra Pedro Laza y sus Pelayeros. With Laza, Camacho sang on "Chicharrón Pelúo", "Avelina", "La Calle", "La Negra", "Cayetano Baila", and "La Boquillera", among others. Camacho also sang with Michi Sarmiento, Nelson Herrera, and the orchestra of Rufo Garrido, and later led his own orchestra called Crescencio Camacho y sus Nuevos Pelayeros, until around 2012.
Camacho's notable compisitions include "Tú no Vales Nada", "Compadrito", and "Falta la Plata". He was once invited to Cartagena by Joe Arroyo to record "Falta la Plata" together, but refused because of his fear of flying; Arroyo recorded the song with Víctor Meléndez instead.

Personal life and death

Camacho was married to Esther Vivanco, and together they had one son and six daughters. His cousin Nelson García Olivo was a musician, and studied at a conservatory in Panama.
Camacho died on 13 December 2014 in Cartagena, and was buried the next day in the cemetery Jardines de Cartagena.