Felipe Staiti, the founding guitarist and last remaining pillar of the legendary rock band Los Enanitos Verdes, has died at the age of 64. The musician passed away at the Hospital Italiano in Mendoza, according to reports from latercera.com.
Staiti was a central figure in the Argentine rock scene for nearly five decades. He helped lead the band from its early days in Mendoza to its status as a staple of Latin American rock.
His death follows a period of significant health struggles. In late 2024, the band announced the cancellation of their performance at the Vibra Perú festival in Lima due to Staiti's health condition, according to the group's official website.
Recent reports indicated that the guitarist had been battling a bacterial infection contracted in Mexico, which was further complicated by his struggle with celiac disease. Despite these setbacks, Staiti had remained committed to the band's future.
A legacy of reinvention
Staiti took on the monumental task of leading the band after the death of iconic frontman Marciano Cantero in 2022. Rather than hiring a replacement, Staiti stepped up to take over vocal duties himself.
“We are a rock band with strong convictions,” Staiti told La Rocka. “We cannot bring in someone to be the lead singer of the group who has no history with us... It would be fake, totally false.”
His transition to vocalist was marked by performances such as the group's December 2022 debut at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. He had also been working on a new greatest hits album featuring various guest artists.
Music journalist Sergio Marchi, a friend of the guitarist, described Staiti's technical skill as that of a 'Cuyano Steve Vai' who prioritized the song over pure showmanship. Marchi noted that while the band may not have sought global glamour, their impact across Latin America was profound.
“The death of Felipe comes to close a story that seems small in the eyes of Argentines, but outside the country, as Chile can witness, they left an emotional mark on the hearts of millions,” Marchi said.
Staiti was a founding member alongside Cantero and drummer Daniel Piccolo. His expressive guitar work defined hits like 'La Muralla verde' and 'Por el resto,' tracks that helped define the golden era of Latin rock.
