The voice of a generation and a friend of the WBA – World Boxing Association

Venezuelan music has lost one of its most emblematic voices with the passing of Jorge Chapellín —singer, frontman of the legendary group Los 007, and a defining figure for an entire generation. Chapellín, who died at age 78, leaves behind not only an irreplaceable place in the country’s cultural memory but also a legacy that extends far beyond the stage.

Chapellín became an icon throughout the 1960s and ’70s, when Los 007 burst onto the national scene with songs that still echo in the collective nostalgia of Venezuelans. Hits like “El Último Beso” and “Detén la Noche” cemented his voice as a symbol of modernity and romanticism, helping pave the way for pop and ballad-style music in Venezuela. His warm yet powerful delivery made him a beloved figure in popular music and a reference point for both contemporaries and fans.

Beyond the spotlight, Chapellín built friendships that spoke to the breadth of his influence across Venezuelan life. One of the most notable was his bond with Gilberto Mendoza Sr., President Emeritus of the World Boxing Association (WBA). Their relationship highlighted how Chapellín transcended artistic circles, connecting with sporting leaders and sharing spaces where music and boxing intertwined as expressions of Latin American identity.

His passing was mourned in both cultural and sporting communities, which remembered him not only as a singer, but as a warm, genuine presence capable of bridging disciplines and generations.

Today, Jorge Chapellín is remembered as the voice that accompanied the dreams of an era—and as a loyal friend to those who made history in Venezuela and beyond. His legacy lives on in every melody and every memory shared.