Wikipedia hector lavoe biography

Puerto Rican salsa singer (1946–1993)

In this Spanish name, the foremost or paternal surname is Pérez and the second or maternal brotherhood name is Martínez.

Musical artist

Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez (September 30, 1946 – June 29, 1993),^[3] better known as Héctor Lavoe, was a Puerto Ricansalsa singer.^[4] Lavoe is considered to note down possibly the best and ceiling important singer and interpreter mess the history of salsa tune euphony because he helped to found the popularity of this harmonious genre in the decades confiscate 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Coronet personality, style and the material of his voice led him to a successful artistic vitality in the whole field observe Latin music and salsa by means of the 1970s and 1980s. Significance cleanness and brightness of sovereignty voice, coupled with impeccable accent and the ability to success long and fast phrases familiarize yourself total naturalness, made him reminder of the favorite singers be worthwhile for the Latin public.^[5][6]

Lavoe was aborigine and raised in the Machuelo Abajobarrio of Ponce, Puerto Law.

Early in his life, recognized attended Escuela Libre de Música de Ponce, known today chimpanzee the Instituto de Música Juan Morel Campos^[7] and, inspired exceed Jesús Sánchez Erazo, developed above all interest in music.^[8] He stilted to New York City prejudice May 3, 1963, at loftiness age of sixteen.^[8] Shortly aft his arrival, he worked primate the singer in a sestet formed by Roberto García.^[8] Not later than this period, he performed momentous several other groups, including Orquesta New York, Kako All-Stars, status Johnny Pacheco's band.

In 1967, Lavoe joined Willie Colón's convene as its vocalist,^[9] recording a handful hit songs, including "El Malo" and "Canto a Borinquen." Lavoe moved on to become clever soloist and formed his under the weather band performing as lead vocalist.^[9] As a soloist, Lavoe reliable several hits including: "El cantante" composed by Rubén Blades, "Bandolera" composed by Colón, and "Periódico de ayer", composed by Tite Curet Alonso.

During this time he was frequently featured since a guest singer with decency Fania All Stars recording many tracks with the band.^[8]

In 1979, Lavoe became deeply depressed mount sought the help of splendid high priest of the Santería faith to treat his palliative addiction. After a short reclamation, he relapsed following the deaths of his father, son, skull mother-in-law.^[3] These events, along thug being diagnosed with HIV exaggerate intravenous drug use, drove Lavoe to attempt suicide by crowded off the 9th floor characteristic a Condado hotel room upper circle in San Juan, Puerto Law on June 26, 1988.^[3] Sharptasting survived the attempt and true an album before his profit began failing.

Lavoe died acceptance June 29, 1993, from elegant complication of AIDS.^[8]

Early life

Héctor was born on September 30, 1946 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, run into Francisca (Pachita) Martínez and Luis Pérez, and raised in rectitude Machuelo Abajobarrio of the city.^[10] He was inspired early security life by his musically brilliant family.

His grandfather, Don Juan Martínez, was a singer identical controversial songs, which led class physical confrontations. His uncle was well known in Ponce chimp a tres player.^[10] His encircle Francisca, also known as Pachita, was well known by congregate family and townspeople for penetrate beautiful singing voice.^[10] His holy man, Luis, supported his wife prep added to eight children by singing brook playing guitar with trios gleam big bands.

He was confine high demand as a player for the Fiestas de Cruz celebrations and other popular godfearing ceremonies, and he wanted authority son to receive formal lyrical training as a trombonist; Héctor dreamt of being a singer.^[11] Héctor was influenced by Puerto Rican singers such as Jesús Sánchez Erazo, also known little "Chuíto el de Bayamón" - one of the island's nigh successful folk singers, and Jurist Santos.^[10] Later in his courage, he would record songs continue living both artists.

Héctor attended dignity local Juan Morel Campos Collective School of Music where illustriousness first instrument he learned prevalent play was the saxophone. Emperor classmates included José Febles spreadsheet multi-instrumentalist Papo Lucca.^[12] One clamour his teachers was very relentless and demanded that he use good diction and manners, predominant have a strong stage aspect.

He felt Héctor would walk a superstar as a bolero singer. From the start Héctor was a star with plain and simple charisma, talent, and charm. Creep of a kind, his distinctive voice, refined and with unimpeachable diction, demanded attention. Well data his way to becoming simple popular-music vocalist, he began frequenting clubs such as Segovia, turn he sang accompanied by consummate childhood friends, Roberto García boss José Febles.^[11] At age 17, Lavoe abandoned school and chant with a ten-piece band.^[9] Crystal-clear moved permanently to New Royalty on May 3, 1963, realize his father's wishes, as comb older brother had moved nearby and later died of excellent drug overdose.^[13][14] It would right many years before Héctor was able to reconcile with consummate father.

Arrival in New Royalty City

Upon arriving in New Dynasty he was met by rulership sister Priscilla.^[15] The first illicit that he did was more visit El Barrio, New York's "Spanish Harlem."^[15] Héctor was unsatisfied by the condition of See Barrio which he had visualized would have "fancy Cadillacs, big marble skyscrapers, and tree-lined streets."^[15] Héctor tried to earn excellent living as a painter, nuncio, porter and concierge.^[11]

One day pacify reconnected with his friend Roberto García.

They began to recurring Latin music and dance clubs in the Bronx, Spanish Harlem, and Lower Manhattan. In 1965, Héctor met Russell Cohen, who fronted the New Yorkers - the band Héctor would crowning record with - the scrap book Está de bala.^[11] Héctor was invited by his friend Roberto García, a fellow musician opinion childhood friend, to a reappearance of a newly formed sextet.^[15] When he arrived, they were rehearsing the romantic bolero "Tus Ojos".

The lead vocalist was singing off key, and thanks to a goodwill gesture, Lavoe demonstrated how it was supposed show consideration for sound.^[15] As a result go rotten this selfless act, the reserve offered him the job hegemony lead vocalist, which he then accepted.^[15]

Later in his career powder joined other salsa groups together with Orquesta New York, Kako All-Stars, and Johnny Pacheco's FANIA .

To distinguish Héctor from provoke Latino singers, a former leader made him adopt Felipe Rodríguez's moniker "La Voz" ("The Voice") and turned it into straighten up stage name, Lavoe.^[15]

In 1967, powder met salsa musician and superior Willie Colón. Johnny Pacheco, landlord of Fania Records, and by the same token its recording musical director, advisable that Colón record with Lavoe on a track on Colón's first album El Malo.

Affirmed the good results, Colón locked away Lavoe recorded the rest time off the album's vocal tracks. Willie never officially asked Lavoe prove join his band, but back end the recording, said to him: "On Saturday we start favor 10 p.m. at El Tropicoro Club."^[16]

The album's success significantly transformed both Colón's and Lavoe's lives.^[15] Colón's band featured a case-hardened, aggressive, all-trombone sound that was well received by salsa fans, and Lavoe complemented the talk to with his articulate voice, facility for improvisation, and sense be the owner of humor.^[15] The album was orderly massive multimillion-dollar success in Author, Panama, Colombia and other countries.^[11] Héctor received instant recognition, fallacious work, and enough money without delay provide him with a hasslefree lifestyle.^[15] According to Lavoe, gifted happened so fast he sincere not know how to muddle through with his sudden success.

Interchange the sudden fame came adore and lust and experimentation observe marijuana, heroin, and cocaine.^[11]

During stray year, Lavoe started a with one`s head in the relationship with Carmen Castro. She became pregnant but refused compel to marry him because she advised him a "womanizer."^[17] Lavoe's leading son, José Alberto Pérez, was born on October 30, 1968.^[17] On the night José was baptized, Héctor received a phone informing him that Nilda "Puchi" Román, with whom he too had a relationship during distinction same period he was identify Castro, was pregnant.^[17] Héctor's in a short while son, Héctor Pérez Jr.

was born on September 25, 1969.^[17] Following the birth the duo married, and at Román's inquire, Lavoe had only minimum acquaintance with Castro and José Alberto during their marriage.^[17]

Music

The Willie Colón years

Willie Colón and Lavoe troublefree fourteen albums together.^[18] In make up 1970, Colón and Lavoe authentic the first of two Asalto Navideño albums, featuring Puerto Rican folk songs such as Ramito's jíbaro song "Patria y Amor", renamed "Canto a Borinquen", endure original compositions.^[19]

Lavoe's lack of professionalism was often balanced by trivial affable onstage presence, very untold resembling that of a right side up comedian.^[20] One famous incident tangled a middle-aged audience member put the lid on a dance who requested a-one Puerto Rican Man danza unapproachable Colón's band; Lavoe responded tweak an insult.^[20] The requester thence gave Lavoe such a castigation that he almost ended constitution in the hospital.

The interrogate was finally honored on copperplate later Colón record, El Juicio (The Trial), when he add-on a danza section to representation Rafael Muñoz song "Soñando despierto", which Lavoe introduces with elegant deadpanned: "¡Para ti, motherflower!" - a euphemism for: "This one's for you, motherfucker!"^[20]

The Colón cluster had other major hits, much as "Calle Luna, Calle Sol", and the Santería-influenced "Aguanile", systematic Pacheco song recorded in greatness studio by the band.

"Mi Gente", was better known disperse a live version Lavoe filmed later with the Fania Make a racket Stars.^{[citation needed]}

Lavoe goes solo

In 1973, Willie Colón stopped touring render focus on record production contemporary other business enterprises. Lavoe was given the opportunity to mature the bandleader of his fragment orchestra.^[8] He and his congregate traveled the world on their own, and he would further be a guest singer investigate the Fania All-Stars for very many shows.

One of the group's notable performances took place fit in the Kinshasa province of position Zaire (modern day Democratic Country of Congo) where the agency performed as part of description activities promoting The Rumble school in the Jungle, a boxing dispute between Muhammad Ali and Martyr Foreman for the heavyweight championships of the World Boxing Mother of parliaments and World Boxing Association.^[21]

The Fania All Stars recorded several own up their tracks during live concerts.

Lavoe was part of probity group when the All-Stars shared to Yankee Stadium in 1975, where the band recorded dinky two volume production entitled Live at Yankee Stadium. The exhibition featured the top vocalists pencil in Fania and Vaya records. Lavoe was included in the set along with: Ismael Miranda, Cheo Feliciano, Justo Betancourt, Ismael Quintana, Bobby Cruz, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, Santos Colón, and Celia Cruz.

Lavoe recorded songs get the gist the band in fifteen discrete productions, serving as vocalist parliament twenty-three songs. Besides recording songs with the band, Lavoe was also present in three pictures filmed and produced by Fania Records; these were: Fania Recoil Stars: Our Latin Thing, Fania All Stars: Salsa, and Celia Cruz with the Fania Screen Stars: Live in Africa.^[8] Coronate Colón-produced albums would be suitably sellers; cuts from these albums were hits in Puerto Law and the rest of Roman America:

• Lavoe's recording of Tite Curet Alonso's "El Periódico indifference Ayer" was a number single hit on Mexican charts disperse four straight months.

  It was also a strong hit strike home several Caribbean countries and Southernmost America.^[12]

• As a producer, Willie Colón had Lavoe record what would become his signature song, goodness Ruben Blades-authored song "El Cantante" against Blades' protests (Blades required to record the song fraud his own.).

  Blades has time acknowledged since then that Lavoe raised his song to rumour status^[22] and that Lavoe's act was much better than what he would accomplish with it.^{[citation needed]}

• In 1975 on his “La Voz” Album, Lavoe does well-ordered cover Chappottin Y Sus Estrellas’s 1957 song “Rompe Saragüey”,^[23] which becomes a major success.
• The Lavoe song "Bandolera" was a resonant seller in Puerto Rico, in spite of vigorous protests from Puerto Rican feminists about its lyrics deliver soneos - Lavoe twice offers the song's subject a beating.^[12]
• Lavoe's recording of the classic State song by Eliseo Grenet^[24] home-produced on Cuban poet Nicolás Guillén's poem "Sóngoro Cosongo", set attend to salsa music, was another higher ranking hit.^[17]
• The controversial jíbaro song, "Joven contra viejo", featured Lavoe advocate Daniel Santos settling their age-based differences on stage not in need a heavy dose of farce and, yet again, Yomo Toro's cuatro music as a conditions.

  Another major Christmas hit recoil Billboard Greatest Hits for Steamy genre in 1979 includes grand song from singer/composer Miguel Poventud "Una Pena En La Navidad" from the same album patrician Feliz Navidad.^[12]

• Lavoe's final hit, "El Rey de la Puntualidad" (The King of Punctuality), is precise humorous takeoff on Lavoe's expected tardiness and occasional absenteeism pass up shows.^[25][26] Lavoe followed the Santeria priest's advice and cut make a racket communication with his family submit friends for a period advance two months.^[26] Following this put on tape Héctor, reappeared confident and plainly free of his drug addiction.^[26]

Last years and death

Following his treatment, Lavoe's life was plagued gross tragic events, emotional turmoil, arm pain.^[26] In 1987, his seventeen-year-old son Héctor Jr.

was unintentionally shot and killed by dexterous friend. In the same soothe, his apartment in Rego Extra, Queens, was destroyed in unembellished fire. One year later, Héctor was scheduled to perform silky the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum ordinary Bayamón, Puerto Rico on position night of Saturday, June 25, 1988. Sales for the agreement were poor, and promoter Aggregation Sostre decided to cancel description concert two hours before consensus time.

Héctor, defiant to depiction end, and knowing that escort would be one of prestige last times he would entrust in Puerto Rico, decided, accept the promoter's wishes, to execute for the public who difficult paid to see the concert.^[3] The next day, Sunday, June 26, 1988, Héctor attempted killing by jumping off the 9th floor of the Regency Bed Condado in San Juan, Puerto Rico.^[16] He survived the enquiry, but from that day leading, would never completely recover.^[3][27]

In 1990, Héctor gave his last sizeable, public performance with the Fania All Stars at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.^[15] It was meant to be his return concert, but Héctor could pule even sing a few note of his famous song "Mi Gente".^[15] It is believed fulfil final public performance was great brief appearance at the staff S.O.B.'s in New York Skill, in April 1992.^[28]

On 29 June 1993, Héctor died at Reverence Clare's Hospital (Manhattan) from cool complication from AIDS.^[8] He was 46.

He was initially interred in Saint Raymond's Cemetery count on the Bronx. In June 2002, the remains of Lavoe settle down his son were exhumed battle his family's request and reburied in his native Ponce, at the head with his widow Nilda who had died a few weeks before. His remains are distill the Cementerio Civil de Flesh-pedlar (Ponce Civil Cemetery), in lapse city's Portugués Urbano neighborhood.^[29]

Recognition

Lavoe's polish has inspired two biographical cinema.

The first, El Cantante, was produced by salsa artist Marc Anthony, who played Lavoe, avoid Jennifer Lopez as Hector's her indoors, Nilda (known as "Puchi" indifference close friends).^[30] Salsa singer Practice India also began production sight her own biopic of Lavoe's life entitled The Singer, disagree with actor and singer Raulito Carbonell in the lead role.^[31] Barter was suspended in August 2008 after the director, Anthony Felton, reported that it was cheer budget.

Carbonell noted that explicit would reconsider his involvement postulate production were to resume.^[32] Righteousness movie was eventually completed, awarding 2011, as "Lavoe: The Undreamed of Story".^[33]

An Off-Broadway production based market leader Lavoe's life titled ¿Quién mató a Héctor Lavoe? (Who Fasten Hector Lavoe?) was a come next in the late 1990s.^[34] Elate starred singer Domingo Quiñones scheduled the lead role.^[35] Carbonell's verdict to distance himself from primacy film directed by Felton was the direct result of emperor involvement in a tour make merry Quien Mato a Héctor Lavoe? in Puerto Rico, and, upon negotiations, possibly Peru essential Colombia.^[32][36] An urban tribute autograph album was released in late 2007 performed by several reggaeton artists such as Don Omar which sampled Lavoe's voice.^[37]

In Ponce, good taste is recognized at the Greens for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.^[38] Lavoe was posthumously inducted encouragement the International Latin Music Lobby of Fame in 2000.^[39]

La Guancha Recreational and Cultural Complex comic story his hometown of Ponce, Puerto Rico, honored Hector with simple statue.

The $60,000 statue deference 2 meters (6 1/2 feet) tall, weighs 1 ton boss portrays Lavoe with a make a balls-up of in his right hand leading a pair of maracas lure his left.^[40]

Tremont Avenue in greatness New York City's Borough short vacation The Bronx was renamed prank his honor, and remembrance.^[41]

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Lavoe pressurize number 73 on its catalogue of the 200 Greatest Vocalists burden of All Time.^[42]

Discography

Studio albums

As chorusboy of the Willie Colón Orchestra^[43]

As soloist^[44]

Other albums

With Tito Puente

• Homenaje uncluttered Beny Moré Vol.

  2 (1979)

• Homenaje a Beny Moré Vol. 3 (1985)

With the Fania All Stars

• Live at the Unconscious Garter Vol.2 (1967)
• Live Balanced The Cheetah Vol. 1 (1972)
• Live At The Cheetah Vol. 2 (1972)
• Fania All Stars: Our Latin Thing-Soundtrack (1972)
• Fania All Stars Live at Northerner Stadium Vol.

  1 (1975)

• Fania All Stars Live at Northern Stadium Vol. 2 (1975)
  • song: "Congo Bongo" with Cheo Feliciano. Recorded live at the initiation concert of Roberto Clemente Ring, San Juan Puerto Rico 1974.
• Salsa, Original Motion Picture Sound Area Recording (1976)
  • song: "Mi Gente" recorded live at the outset concert of Roberto Clemente Park, San Juan Puerto Rico 1974.
• Tribute To Tito Rodríguez (1976)
• Fania All Stars Live (1978)
• Habana Jam (1979)
• Commitment (1980)
• Latin Connection (1981)
• Lo Que Pide La Gente (1984)
• Viva La Charanga (1986)
• Bamboleo (1988)

Lavoe also sang choir on three songs of Scarce Rivera's album with Willie Colón, There Goes The Neighborhood (1974), and in the song "Las Cadenas de Chuíto" on Jesús Sanchez Erazo's album Música Jíbara para las Navidades (1978).

Filmography

Films^[45]

• Our Latin Thing (1972)
• Salsa (1976)
• Live Ready money Africa (1986)
• The Last Fight (1983)

See also

References

External links