Ali Priméra

Editor's Note: Ali Priméra (1942-1985) was a legendary composer, singer, poet and revolutionary activist here in Venezuela and remains so today, even 24 years after his death. In the music video below, he remembers Ché in his song, "Comandante Amigo". Ali's birthname was Rafael Sebastián Primera Rosell but he was known as "Ali" because his parents were Arabs. His father died when Ali was 3 years old, leaving the family very poor. Subsequently, he and his siblings traveled with their mother, living in several different towns on the Paraguaná Peninsula. As early as age 6, Ali began working various jobs to help support their family while attending school.

He graduated from elementary and high schools in 1964, then enrolled in Central University's School of Science, majoring in chemistry. Music was only his hobby but when he played at the Festival of Protest Songs at Universidad de los Andes in 1967, he became famous. From 1969 to 1973, Ali Primera continued his studies in Rumania after receiving a scholarship from the Communist Party of Venezuela. In Europe he washed dishes and sometimes sang in performances for money. He recorded his first album, "Gente de mi tierra" in Germany.

He was killed in a car accident on the Autopista Valle-Coche in Caracas at age 43 in 1985. It has never been proved but many believe that his car was sabotaged by elements of the political party, Acción Democrática prior to the accident, causing his death. Acción Democrática was a bastion of the oligarchy in 1985 and now they are leaders of the the counter-revolution. Even today, they reject the revolutionary music of Ali Primera. Most Venezuelans consider him to be a hero of the revolution and where he is known as "El Cantor del Pueblo" (The People's Singer). In 2005 the government declared his music, a national heritage. His discography is included below.

- Les Blough, Editor

Discography

Year of publication	Title	Published by
1969	Gente De Mi Tierra	Independent
1973	Lo Primero de Alí Primera	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)
1974	Alí Primera, Volumen 2	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)
1975	Adiós en dolor Mayor	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)
1976	Canción Para Los Valientes	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)
1977	La Patria Es El Hombre	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)
1978	Canción Mansa Para Un Pueblo Bravo	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)
1979	Cuando Nombro La Poesía	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)
1980	Abrebrecha	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)
1981	Al Pueblo Lo Que Es De César	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)
1982	Con El Sol A Medio Cielo	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)
1984	Entre La Rabia Y La Ternura	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)
1985	Por Si No Lo Sabía	Cigarrón - Sonográfica (Venezuela)
1986	Alí ¡En Vivo! (posthumous)	Cigarrón - Promus (Venezuela)

Source: Wikipedia