Manuel “Puntillita” Licea Lamot was a prominent Cuban singer; born on December 4, 1927, in the town of Yareyal. He began singing in local groups when he was 7 years old. In 1945, he joined trumpeter Julio Cuevas’s orchestra after his arrival in the nation’s capital. At the time, the orchestra was one of the most popular on the island. While in that group, the song “Son de la Puntillita” was born, which was his favorite, and it was at this point that Cuevas gave him the nickname that would remain with him for life: “Puntillita.”

It was just the beginning of the 1950s when he performed as a soloist with the traditional “Sonora Matancera,” which also featured the iconic Cuban singer Celia Cruz.

Manuel Licea became a very popular star through his work on radio, TV, in nightclubs, and in festivals. He frequently performed with other great singers from that golden age of Cuban music, including Benny Moré.

In 1996, he joined the Buena Vista Social Club project, becoming one of the lead soloists in the Afro Cuban All Stars group, organized by Juan de Marcos González. It was he who suggested he appear on Afro-Cuba’s first album, titled “A toda Cuba le gusta” (Today’s Cuba Likes It), and his vocals are the opening track on “Amor verdadero” (True Love). This song would later distinguish him during his numerous international performances, including his final appearance in Las Vegas, just three weeks before his death.

During the last two months of his life, he also performed on stages in Japan and Australia, including at the Sydney Opera House during the Olympic Games held there. Manuel “Puntillita” Licea died in Havana in 2000, on his birthday, December 4, after a short illness.