Lliraldi dominated the studio, though blind
Félix Justo Lliraldi Michelena, born the 14th of May, 1945
Félix Justo Lliraldi Michelena was born the 14th of May, 1945, in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. He was a musician, songwriter, arranger, and sound engineer. He played several instruments: guitar, drums, piano, saxophone, etc. Félix was blinded due to diabetes, which started early on in Cuba, becoming worse in Miami, yet he handled the studio perfectly with all its wires, buttons, and settings.
In the 90s, seeing my interest in the guitar, my Mom took me over to Félix’s house. In that era it was just he and his mother, Hilda Maria Michelena Conde. His father, Dr. Ezequiel Lliraldi Horta, had passed in 1984, and his brother Juan Manuel Lliraldi Michelena, in 1995. At that time, I was 20 years old, more or less. That day we visited, my Mom sat with Hilda to chat, while Fifo and I talked about music. He played his Spanish acoustic, then some piano, which I enjoyed immensely, and was inspired by. After that day, I’d visit with my cousin frequently, for years to come. Fifo had a good sense of humor, he told a lot of jokes, and we’d have a great time talking, playing, and recording music.
In 98, when my mother died, I fell into depression, and stopped visiting him as often. I also left work, church, and got a new job working in the Everglades, driving Airboats. I did what I could to try and overcome the misfortune, all the changes were intended for me to not be reminded of what had happened, but it would prove impossible. To make matters worse, the following year, Hilda, Felix's mother, died.
One thing after another, I got involved with a lovely woman, and ended up in Beverly Hills, California, for a time. When I returned to Miami, my father told me that Fifo had died, my heart sank. At that moment, I raised my hands in the air and said a choice word, seeing my reaction, my father corrected me. It was too emotional for him to deal with, I understood his reaction.
Thinking back, I remembered I had called Fifo from California to say hello, and he told me over the phone that: 'I had disappeared and had abandoned him’. These were not the easiest of times for anyone, but that's how it happened.
Felix Justo Lliraldi Michelena (1945 - 2001) E.P.D.
When over at Felix’s house in Little Havana, he’d sit on the piano bench with his guitar and play. Among many, he’d play the song I’m performing in the clip below.