Compay Segundo, singer from 'Buena Vista Social Club,' dies at 95

Compay, who performed in public less than a week before his death, died of kidney failure Sunday night, said his granddaughter, Frances Valeria Repilado.

Born Maximo Francisco Repilado Munoz, Company carried traditional Cuban music to the world. He was honored with a Grammy as part of the "Buena Vista Social Club" in his 90th year and helped draw attention to other aging but talented Cuban musicians.

Compay set audiences dancing from Havana to Paris with hits such as "Chan Chan," which brought modern appeal to a musical genre that had largely been forgotten even at home in Cuba.

"Symbolically, he represented our culture to the entire world," said Omara Portuondo, who sang on the "Buena Vista" record and who stood alongside Compay's casket during a viewing at a Havana funeral home Monday. "I would say that he is part of the Cuban flag."