The combination of boleros and son took this group to the summit of popularity in the first half of the 20th century, thanks to the talent of Miguel Matamoros, Siro Rodríguez and Rafael Cueto.
Due to their way of playing music, they became very popular, both in Cuba and abroad, with classical songs like Lágrimas negras, which has been recorded hundreds of times, Promesa, Dulce embeleso, Elíxir de la vida, La mujer de Antonio and Mamá son de la loma, among other hits.
The Matamoros performed with outstanding singers and composers of that period, like Rafael Hernández, from Puerto Rico, who composed Capullito de alelí, and Benny Moré, who debuted with the group in the record industry.
The trio, which had a repertoire of nearly 400 songs, showed their talent in the United States, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Panama, Curacao, Puerto Rico and Colombia, during 35 prolific years.
Their last performance for the Cuban people was in 1960, but their picaresque songs are still listened to and sung in the country like the first time.
jg