Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz Telles, known professionally as Compay Segundo, was born on November 18, 1907, in Siboney, Cuba, and passed away on July 13, 2003, in Havana, Cuba. He was a renowned Cuban trova guitarist, singer, and composer. Moving to Santiago de Cuba at the age of nine, he began his musical journey in the Municipal Band of Santiago de Cuba. In 1934, he relocated to Havana, where he played the clarinet in the Municipal Band and learned to play the guitar and tres. Segundo invented the armónico, a seven-stringed instrument bridging the gap between the Spanish guitar and the tres.

In 1947, he formed the successful duo Los Compadres with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo, gaining recognition as a second voice and tres player. His international fame soared with the release of the Buena Vista Social Club album in 1997, which won several Grammy awards. Segundo's most famous composition, "Chan Chan," became a staple of the album and was performed before Pope John Paul II.

Segundo's music was characterized by its focus on sones, differentiating him from typical trova musicians. He maintained a vibrant career well into his 90s, performing for dignitaries like President Fidel Castro. Despite predicting he would live to 115, Segundo passed away at 95 due to kidney failure. His legacy was celebrated in 2007 with a concert in Havana marking the 100th anniversary of his birth.