Cuba Gooding Sr. Named Goodwill Ambassador, Receives Rosarito Key

Noted singer Cuba Gooding Sr., was presented a key to Rosarito and named a goodwill ambassador for the city by Mayor Hugo Torres at a weekend concert here.



“I am humbled by this, it means a lot to me,” said Gooding, who is best known for his 1972 super hit “Everybody Plays The Fool” as lead singer of the Main Ingredient. He also is the father of well-known actor Cuba Gooding Jr.

Mr. Gooding, who has a vacation home in Rosarito, said he is troubled because some in the U.S. have gotten the impression that Rosarito is unsafe because of the government’s crackdown on drug cartels and wanted to help correct that impression.

He told the mayor that he and his family would work to spread the word in the United States that Rosarito is a safe, wonderful, warm and welcoming place. “We’re going to get Mexicans and Americans loving each other,” he said.

Mayor Torres said the presentation was being made to Mr. Gooding “because of the great work you are doing and because we love you.”

The effort to have Mr. Gooding named goodwill ambassador was organized by Baja Times editor Laura Wong and other Rosarito residents, including members of the city’s large expatriate community.

As well as helping promote Rosarito in the U.S. and the world, Mr. Gooding said he also would bring other well-known ‘70s groups including the Temptations for concerts in the city. Mr. Gooding still tours several months a year.

Mayor Torres made the presentation to Mr. Gooding during a Saturday night dinner concert at Reuben’s Palm Grill, in the Cantamar area of the city.

A full house of about 100 people enthusiastically watched the concert by Mr. Gooding, who was accompanied by the two backup singers of the Main Ingredient, a four-piece band and an emcee.

(Accompanying photo shows Cuba Gooding Sr. with Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres at a meeting the week prior to the concert. Photo by Laura Wong.)

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