Andy Vivian Palacio
Friday, 2 December 1960
Saturday, 19 January 2008
He was predeceased by his father: Reuben Palacio. He is survived by his mother, Cleofa Avilez, his brother, Oswald Lopez; his sister, Jacinta Palacio; his children, Kami, Uani, Nita, Tara, Kamou; and two granddaughters.
On January 25, 2008, at 10 o‘clock, a tribute was held at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts in Belize City.
In the evening, from 5:00 to 9:00, there was an open-air concert featuring Andy’s colleagues, including Aurelio Martinez and the Garifuna Collective (the group that collaborated with him on his farewell album.)
On Saturday, January 26, 2008, at noon, a state funeral was held in Barranco (Toledo). The funeral was preceded by a second tribute to Andy.
1991 - Awarded for "Best New Artist" at the Caribbean Music Awards
2007 - Received the WOMEX Award
2007 - Awarded Belize’s Order of Meritorious Service in September
2008 - Post humously awarded the BBC3 Awards for World Music award in the Americas Category
Served as a head of the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) and was named a cultural ambassador for Belize.
After his production of the song, Watina, he was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace
He released over five original albums beginning with 'Nabi' in 1990
In an interview conducted July 2007, Andy was asked how he wanted to be remembered when he died. He replied, As a proud Garifuna...someone who instills pride in Garifuna and raises their self-esteem. To me, that's the most important thing.
A year after his death, Palacio and The Garifuna Collective’s album Watina was named as the #1 pick on Amazon’s List of 100 Greatest World Music Albums of all time.