Marino Perez (December 26, 1946 - July 26, 1991), also known as Esteban Perez, is considered one of the greatest bachateros of all time. Known as "The Father of Bitter Bachata", Perez wrote music that often dealt with the hardships of prison life, prostitution, and his struggles with alcoholism. His career peaked in the 70s and 80s with a long list of hits, including Ay Mami, La Historia De Marino, and No La Quiero Ver Con Otro.
Biography
Perez was born to Carmen Perez and Arcadio Astacio on December 26, 1946, in Guayabo Dulce, a province of Hato Mayor del Rey, Dominican Republic. As a young boy, Perez would fish and swim in a local river, later inspiring him to write songs about his experience of nature. Perez began to work at the age of fourteen as a sugar cane cutter, earning only 35 cents per trip. It was at this time that his sister Leonidas "Morena" Rondon Perez moved to Placer Bonito at No. 34 Maria Quirino St. in neighboring province San Pedro de Macorís. Nine years later, Perez decided to move to San Pedro de Macorís, where he made contact with local musicians Negro Sánchez, Suri Domínguez, Julito Reyes, and Ramón Marrero. Perez would meet them at Sánchez's home in Loma del Cochero, where they would play and compose songs under a limoncillo tree.
