Per the New York Times, Yma Sumac will be appearing at Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Day of the Dead event on October 29. The cemetery (formerly named Hollywood Memorial Park, and the permanent home to such luminaries as Cecil B. DeMille, Tyrone Power, Rudolph Valentino, Jayne Mansfield, Johnny Ramone, Douglas Fairbanks and many, many more) holds regular events, often movie screenings — this day the grounds will be closed to burials, and a colorful celebration will take place. While the New York Times says that Yma Sumac will be “performing,” it’s more likely that she’ll be appearing and signing autographs. It would be wonderful if she feels up to performing, but she’s in her 90s and I’m sure it wouldn’t come easily.
Meeting Ms. Sumac at the Hukilau in Ft. Lauderdale the week before last was very, very special — she seemed to really enjoy being there and meeting so many fans. She still dresses the part, and was all glamour. She was very approachable, and took the time to recite to me what she had written on her photo for me, while looking me right in the eyes and smiling brightly. She made me feel so good, and I’ll adore her forever for it.
Hello. Miss Sumac wanted me to let you know that by no stretch of the imagination is she in her 90’s, and that this event was not equipped pay her minumum $100,000 fee to perform a few songs, so she will not be performing. Today I read reports to her that she was supposed to “sing on the lawn in front of Douglas Fairbanks grave” and she roared with laughter. She says, “I am only invited to attend this event, like everyone else.” This unusual event did not go through her manager, and so it is not considered a ‘major’ Sumac event.
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Señora Yma Sumac, no sé si llegue, Ud a leer este mensaje, soy peruano como Ud. de mucho orgullo por este país tan precioso y milenario, soy de Apurímac, me encantan los huaynos, danzas, marineras, valses, todo del Perú. Me siento súper orgulloso de Ud. Agradezco a Dios por haber dado al Perú una maravilla como Ud. la admiro en demasía, sería un gran honor conocer a la descendiente de tan grande emperador como fue nuestro Inca Atahualpa. Soy católico muy creyente de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo y la Virgencita a quienes les ruego y pido de todo corazón que la bendigan siempre y la protejan y cuide su salud para poder asi tener la posibilidad de poderla conocer. Un atento y cariñosos saludo de uno de sus admiradores. ¡ Viva el Perú ! ¡ Viva Yma Sumac !
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IT MAKES ME VERY SAD TO LEARN OF THE PASSING OF YMA SUMAC .
I FIRST HEARD HER SINGING ON A RECORD OR RADIO WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER – IN THE 1950’s , AND HAVE LOVED HER WONDERFUL VOICE AND
EXOTIC LOOK FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS . I OWN SEVERAL CD RECORDINGS,
INCLUDING THE FOLKLORICO SONGS , AND WHEN SHE PERFORMED IN
MIAMI BEACH SEVERAL YEARS AGO , YMA SUMAC AUTOGRAPHED ONE .
SHE WAS UNIQUE ( THE ONLY ONE ) AND I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE
SEEN AND HEARD HER IN PERSON . I WILL ENJOY HER RARE MUSIC FOR THE
REST OF MY LIFE .
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Yma Sumac may have died, but her amazing voice will live forever. God bless her family and those who cared for her.
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Yma Sumac was surely one of a kind. With her soaring vocals and her astounding beauty it is certain this creature wont soon be replicated!!!
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Thank you Yma Sumac for your great voice, and for coming to this world. Rest in peace.
Daniel Morales
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