A Farewell Among Friends and a Lifetime Legacy

The Argentine music world is in mourning following the passing of Daniel Melingo, who died on June 30, 2026, at the age of 68 at his home in the Chacarita neighborhood of Buenos Aires. According to various local media sources, the musician had been under palliative care due to a respiratory condition and was found lifeless by his son.

The news deeply moved the artistic community, and his eternal road companion, Pipo Cipolatti, expressed his sorrow through a special statement. Both were the co-founders of Los Twist in 1982, a band that marked a before and after in the Buenos Aires underground scene with a unique style that mixed humor, irony, and an absolutely avant-garde sound.

From Los Abuelos de la Nada to Contemporary Tango

For those unfamiliar with Argentine music, it is important to note that Melingo had a career spanning more than four decades covering multiple genres. Before forming Los Twist, he was a fundamental part of Los Abuelos de la Nada (The Grandparents of Nothing), one of the most iconic rock bands of the 1980s in Argentina. He participated in their emblematic albums 'Los Abuelos de la Nada' (1982) and 'Vasos y besos' (1983), being the author of the classic song 'Chalaman'. His former bandmates paid a heartfelt tribute on social media upon hearing the sad news.

Over the years, Melingo became one of the greatest exponents of contemporary tango, reinventing the traditional genre (which is a fundamental pillar of Argentine culture) with his saxophone and distinctive vocal style. His last public interview was given on June 20, 2026, just days before his passing.

Daniel Melingo's legacy will endure in every chord of his songs, in the rebelliousness of 80s rock, and in the elegance of 21st-century tango. From Imago, we send our condolences to his family, friends, and everyone who found a refuge and a reason to smile in his music.