Enanitos Verdes Co-Founder Felipe Staiti Dies at 64

Staiti's passing comes less than four years after the death of the band's frontman Marciano Cantero.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:50am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered, twisted electric guitar string against a dark, moody background, conveying the emotional impact of the loss of a musical pioneer.The passing of Enanitos Verdes co-founder Felipe Staiti leaves a void in the iconic Latin rock band's lineup and legacy.Carson Today

Felipe Staiti, the guitarist and co-founder who helped turn Enanitos Verdes into one of the defining bands of rock en español, has died at 64 in his hometown of Mendoza, Argentina. Staiti's death comes as a major blow to the band and its fans, as he was the second historic member of Enanitos Verdes to pass away in less than four years, following the 2022 death of frontman Marciano Cantero.

Why it matters

Enanitos Verdes was one of the essential groups of Latin rock, building a cross-generational following in Argentina, Mexico, across Latin America and in the United States. Staiti was there from the band's founding in 1979, helping shape their sound and identity over decades of albums and touring. His death leaves a major void in the band's lineup and raises questions about the group's future.

The details

Staiti had been hospitalized in Mendoza before his death, with Argentine outlets reporting he had been admitted with health complications. The timing of his passing is especially painful, as Enanitos Verdes had recently performed in California and had 20 additional 2026 tour dates listed, indicating the band was still actively performing. After Cantero's death in 2022, Staiti had taken on a larger role, stepping up as a singer while still maintaining his usual duties on guitar.

  • Enanitos Verdes performed at La Santa in Santa Ana, California on April 11, 2026.
  • Enanitos Verdes had 20 additional 2026 tour dates listed in Hawthorne and Carson, California.
  • Marciano Cantero, the frontman of Enanitos Verdes, died in September 2022.

The players

Felipe Staiti

The guitarist and co-founder who helped turn Enanitos Verdes into one of the defining bands of rock en español. He passed away at the age of 64 in his hometown of Mendoza, Argentina.

Marciano Cantero

The frontman of Enanitos Verdes who passed away in September 2022, less than four years before Staiti's death.

Enanitos Verdes

The Argentine rock band that Staiti co-founded in 1979 and helped turn into one of the essential groups of Latin rock, building a cross-generational following.

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What they’re saying

“Playing guitar is something I have pretty much automated, and adding more songs as a singer requires a bit more attention, so I have to be a little more alert and take better care of my throat. I'm an interpreter. I'm not trying to be Marciano or sing like Marciano, which would be impossible. What I do is more an interpretation of the songs.”

— Felipe Staiti, Guitarist and Co-Founder, Enanitos Verdes

What’s next

There has been no clear announcement yet about the future of Enanitos Verdes following Staiti's death. The band's story has suffered another devastating rupture with the passing of two of its historic members in less than four years.

The takeaway

Staiti's death marks the end of an era for the iconic Latin rock band Enanitos Verdes. As the group's co-founder and guitarist, he was integral to shaping their sound and identity over decades. His passing, coming so soon after the loss of frontman Marciano Cantero, leaves the band's future uncertain but also highlights Staiti's enduring commitment to keeping the band's music alive for fans until the very end.