Rebekah Del Rio, ‘Mulholland Drive‘ Singer, Dies at 57

Rebekah Del Rio, the singer-songwriter celebrated for her captivating performance of “Llorando” in David Lynch’s surrealist masterpiece, Mulholland Drive, has died at the age of 57. Her nephew, Coronado Romero, shared the news via Facebook on June 25, 2024, expressing gratitude for the time the family recently spent with her.

Remembering Rebekah Del Rio

Romero’s post highlighted the special moments shared with Del Rio during Father’s Day, noting how blessed his children were to hear her sing. He also revealed that her stage name, Rebekah Del Rio, was created in collaboration with her Uncle Phil.

Did You Know? Del Rio’s “Llorando” is a Spanish-language interpretation of roy Orbison’s classic hit, “Crying.”

Del Rio’s contribution to Mulholland Drive remains one of the film’s most memorable scenes. Her haunting a cappella rendition of “Llorando” in the Club Silencio scene showcased her vocal talent and emotional depth.

Collaboration with David Lynch

The collaboration between Del Rio and Lynch began in the 1990s after they were introduced by their shared agent, Brian Loucks, according to Variety. Del Rio was then working on a country record deal in Nashville for “Llorando,” which she performed for Lynch, who secretly recorded it.

In a 2022 interview with IndieWire, Del Rio described her meeting with Lynch as “money in my karmic bank!” Lynch was so moved by her performance that he incorporated the original recording into Mulholland Drive.

Pro Tip: When performing, Del Rio focused on conveying genuine emotion through her vibrato, ensuring audiences felt the authenticity of her singing.

Del Rio also appeared in lynch’s revival of Twin Peaks: The Return, performing “No Stars,” a song based on a poem penned by Lynch himself.

A Career Beyond “Llorando”

Born on July 10 in Chula Vista, California, Del Rio’s musical journey began in San Diego before she moved to Los Angeles. Her discography includes the album Love Hurts Love Heals (2011) and singles such as “No Stars,” “Hallelujah,” and “Adios” (2021). Her voice also graced the soundtracks of films like Sin City, Man on Fire, and streets of Legend.

According to The Independent, Del Rio performed at a charity screening of Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles just two weeks before her death.

Del Rio was predeceased by her son, Phillip C. DeMars, who passed away in 2009 after battling cancer.

Rebekah Del Rio: A Timeline

What are your favourite memories of Rebekah Del Rio’s performances? How did her music impact you?