Rubby Pérez Hospitalized After Club Roof Collapse in Dominican Republic: ‘He Was Found Singing’

Rubby Pérez has been hospitalized following the deadly roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic, where he was performing early on Tuesday (April 8).

The 69-year-old Dominican merengue singer — known for Billboard hits such as “Tu Vas a Volar,” “Enamorado de Ella” and “15,500 Noches” in collaboration with Romeo Santos, Toño Rosario, Fernandito Villalona and Raman Orlando — has been transferred to the Plaza de la Salud hospital, according to medical director Nepomuceno Mejia. 

“He’s hospitalized, he’s inside, and we hope to God that he recovers soon,” the singer’s daughter, Zulinka Pérez, told local news outlets. “He’s injured, but he’s hospitalized; they found him singing. He started singing so they could hear him. He’s always told me: ‘If something ever happens to me, cover me so no one takes pictures.’”

Zulinka, who’s also a backup singer for Pérez and was present when the roof collapsed, shared: “I’m his backup singe — my husband and I are backup singers. My husband covered me, threw himself on top of me, and he got trapped. He told me, ‘Get out quickly.’ The musicians were able to get out; the bass player is in critical condition; I think he had surgery in the hospital. And one of the saxophone players is dead.” 

The roof collapse left nearly 50 dead and over 150 injured, according to multiple reports. A cause for the roof’s collapse is not yet known.

On Valentine’s Day, Pérez released his latest single, “No Voy a Llorar,” and announced a few shows in the U.S. kicking off in May, including one slated for July 18 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.