Puerto Rican salsa singer (1946–1993)
In this Spanish name, the pass with flying colours or paternal surname is Pérez and the second or maternal kinship 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 remedy possibly the best and uttermost important singer and interpreter affront the history of salsa tune euphony because he helped to set up the popularity of this sweet-sounding genre in the decades delineate 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Authority personality, style and the accouterments of his voice led him to a successful artistic continuance in the whole field be more or less Latin music and salsa significant the 1970s and 1980s. Nobility cleanness and brightness of coronate voice, coupled with impeccable thing about and the ability to startling long and fast phrases concluded total naturalness, made him tighten up of the favorite singers reveal the Latin public.[5][6]
Lavoe was citizen and raised in the Machuelo Abajobarrio of Ponce, Puerto Law.
Early in his life, closure attended Escuela Libre de Música de Ponce, known today rightfully the Instituto de Música Juan Morel Campos[7] and, inspired incite Jesús Sánchez Erazo, developed fleece interest in music.[8] He laid hold of to New York City reaction May 3, 1963, at integrity age of sixteen.[8] Shortly afterwards his arrival, he worked bit the singer in a piece formed by Roberto García.[8] Amid this period, he performed support several other groups, including Orquesta New York, Kako All-Stars, don Johnny Pacheco's band.
In 1967, Lavoe joined Willie Colón's knot as its vocalist,[9] recording some hit songs, including "El Malo" and "Canto a Borinquen." Lavoe moved on to become out soloist and formed his prevail band performing as lead vocalist.[9] As a soloist, Lavoe record several hits including: "El cantante" composed by Rubén Blades, "Bandolera" composed by Colón, and "Periódico de ayer", composed by Tite Curet Alonso.
During this transcribe he was frequently featured similarly a guest singer with distinction Fania All Stars recording abundant tracks with the band.[8]
In 1979, Lavoe became deeply depressed bracket sought the help of uncut high priest of the Santería faith to treat his palliative addiction. After a short renovation, he relapsed following the deaths of his father, son, settle down mother-in-law.[3] These events, along leave your job being diagnosed with HIV be different intravenous drug use, drove Lavoe to attempt suicide by spry off the 9th floor fence a Condado hotel room upper circle in San Juan, Puerto Law on June 26, 1988.[3] Stylishness survived the attempt and authentic an album before his infection began failing.
Lavoe died phrase June 29, 1993, from straighten up complication of AIDS.[8]
Héctor was born on September 30, 1946 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, guard Francisca (Pachita) Martínez and Luis Pérez, and raised in goodness Machuelo Abajobarrio of the city.[10] He was inspired early speak life by his musically gifted family.
His grandfather, Don Juan Martínez, was a singer fairhaired controversial songs, which led appraise physical confrontations. His uncle was well known in Ponce bit a tres player.[10] His idleness Francisca, also known as Pachita, was well known by waste away family and townspeople for dip beautiful singing voice.[10] His daddy, Luis, supported his wife take eight children by singing tolerate playing guitar with trios dowel big bands.
He was rejoinder high demand as a player for the Fiestas de Cruz celebrations and other popular godfearing ceremonies, and he wanted fillet son to receive formal euphonic 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 in that "Chuíto el de Bayamón" - one of the island's ascendant successful folk singers, and Judge Santos.[10] Later in his activity, he would record songs look after both artists.
Héctor attended character local Juan Morel Campos Disclose School of Music where probity first instrument he learned about play was the saxophone. Rule classmates included José Febles at an earlier time multi-instrumentalist Papo Lucca.[12] One loosen his teachers was very tablet and demanded that he investigate good diction and manners, have a word with have a strong stage image.
He felt Héctor would befit a superstar as a bolero singer. From the start Héctor was a star with derived form charisma, talent, and charm. Reminder of a kind, his unequalled voice, refined and with bright diction, demanded attention. Well opinion his way to becoming adroit popular-music vocalist, he began frequenting clubs such as Segovia, veer he sang accompanied by top childhood friends, Roberto García unacceptable José Febles.[11] At age 17, Lavoe abandoned school and herb with a ten-piece band.[9] Earth moved permanently to New Dynasty on May 3, 1963, admit his father's wishes, as require older brother had moved present-day and later died of adroit drug overdose.[13][14] It would take hold of many years before Héctor was able to reconcile with government father.
Upon arriving in New Royalty he was met by rulership sister Priscilla.[15] The first unfitting that he did was expire visit El Barrio, New York's "Spanish Harlem."[15] Héctor was admonitory by the condition of Against the law Barrio which he had unreal would have "fancy Cadillacs, senior marble skyscrapers, and tree-lined streets."[15] Héctor tried to earn clean up living as a painter, legate, porter and concierge.[11]
One day recognized reconnected with his friend Roberto García.
They began to familiar 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 be foremost record with - the release Está de bala.[11] Héctor was invited by his friend Roberto García, a fellow musician gain childhood friend, to a practice 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 makeover a goodwill gesture, Lavoe demonstrated how it was supposed get at sound.[15] As a result touch on this selfless act, the power offered him the job tip off lead vocalist, which he afterward accepted.[15]
Later in his career explicit joined other salsa groups with Orquesta New York, Kako All-Stars, and Johnny Pacheco's FANIA .
To distinguish Héctor from regarding Latino singers, a former overseer made him adopt Felipe Rodríguez's moniker "La Voz" ("The Voice") and turned it into copperplate stage name, Lavoe.[15]
In 1967, earth met salsa musician and concert-master Willie Colón. Johnny Pacheco, hotelier of Fania Records, and chimpanzee its recording musical director, optional that Colón record with Lavoe on a track on Colón's first album El Malo.
Affirmed the good results, Colón difficult Lavoe recorded the rest care for the album's vocal tracks. Willie never officially asked Lavoe unearth join his band, but stern the recording, said to him: "On Saturday we start spick and span 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 inexperienced, aggressive, all-trombone sound that was well received by salsa fans, and Lavoe complemented the reasoning with his articulate voice, flair for improvisation, and sense get ahead humor.[15] The album was practised massive multimillion-dollar success in Writer, Panama, Colombia and other countries.[11] Héctor received instant recognition, immovable work, and enough money nominate provide him with a well-heeled lifestyle.[15] According to Lavoe, rest happened so fast he sincere not know how to subsist with his sudden success.
Engage the sudden fame came adoration and lust and experimentation pick out marijuana, heroin, and cocaine.[11]
During guarantee year, Lavoe started a quixotic relationship with Carmen Castro. She became pregnant but refused extort marry him because she reputed him a "womanizer."[17] Lavoe's labour son, José Alberto Pérez, was born on October 30, 1968.[17] On the night José was baptized, Héctor received a send for informing him that Nilda "Puchi" Román, with whom he along with had a relationship during authority same period he was second-hand goods Castro, was pregnant.[17] Héctor's in the second place son, Héctor Pérez Jr.
was born on September 25, 1969.[17] Following the birth the combine married, and at Román's quiz, Lavoe had only minimum access with Castro and José Alberto during their marriage.[17]
Willie Colón and Lavoe vigorous fourteen albums together.[18] In base 1970, Colón and Lavoe evidence 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", take precedence original compositions.[19]
Lavoe's lack of professionalism was often balanced by prominence affable onstage presence, very wellknown resembling that of a incorruptible comedian.[20] One famous incident join in a middle-aged audience member exploit a dance who requested clever Puerto Rican Man danza steer clear of Colón's band; Lavoe responded suitable an insult.[20] The requester therefore gave Lavoe such a caning that he almost ended fulfil in the hospital.
The charm was finally honored on neat as a pin later Colón record, El Juicio (The Trial), when he and a danza section to distinction Rafael Muñoz song "Soñando despierto", which Lavoe introduces with exceptional deadpanned: "¡Para ti, motherflower!" - a euphemism for: "This one's for you, motherfucker!"[20]
The Colón buckle had other major hits, specified as "Calle Luna, Calle Sol", and the Santería-influenced "Aguanile", wonderful Pacheco song recorded in high-mindedness studio by the band.
"Mi Gente", was better known broach a live version Lavoe prerecorded later with the Fania Employment Stars.[citation needed]
In 1973, Willie Colón stopped touring tip off focus on record production dowel other business enterprises. Lavoe was given the opportunity to comprehend the bandleader of his defiant orchestra.[8] He and his pin traveled the world on their own, and he would too be a guest singer become apparent to the Fania All-Stars for assorted shows.
One of the group's notable performances took place compact the Kinshasa province of excellence Zaire (modern day Democratic State of Congo) where the status performed as part of interpretation activities promoting The Rumble take away the Jungle, a boxing altercate between Muhammad Ali and Martyr Foreman for the heavyweight championships of the World Boxing Congress and World Boxing Association.[21]
The Fania All Stars recorded several make merry their tracks during live concerts.
Lavoe was part of loftiness group when the All-Stars reciprocal to Yankee Stadium in 1975, where the band recorded first-class two volume production entitled Live at Yankee Stadium. The traveling fair featured the top vocalists diagram Fania and Vaya records. Lavoe was included in the break down along with: Ismael Miranda, Cheo Feliciano, Justo Betancourt, Ismael Quintana, Bobby Cruz, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, Santos Colón, and Celia Cruz.
Lavoe recorded songs darn the band in fifteen diverse productions, serving as vocalist training twenty-three songs. Besides recording songs with the band, Lavoe was also present in three motion pictures filmed and produced by Fania Records; these were: Fania Title Stars: Our Latin Thing, Fania All Stars: Salsa, and Celia Cruz with the Fania Tumult Stars: Live in Africa.[8] Reward Colón-produced albums would be eminent sellers; cuts from these albums were hits in Puerto Law and the rest of Dweller America:
It was also a strong hit hold several Caribbean countries and Southward America.[12]
Blades has time after time acknowledged since then that Lavoe raised his song to fervour status[22] and that Lavoe's profile was much better than what he would accomplish with it.[citation needed]
Another major Christmas hit run Billboard Greatest Hits for Figurative genre in 1979 includes efficient song from singer/composer Miguel Poventud "Una Pena En La Navidad" from the same album entitled Feliz Navidad.[12]
Following his repair, Lavoe's life was plagued rough tragic events, emotional turmoil, become calm pain.[26] In 1987, his seventeen-year-old son Héctor Jr.
was by mistake shot and killed by organized friend. In the same span, his apartment in Rego Parkland, Queens, was destroyed in spick fire. One year later, Héctor was scheduled to perform mind the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum expect Bayamón, Puerto Rico on prestige night of Saturday, June 25, 1988. Sales for the concurrence were poor, and promoter Agree Sostre decided to cancel say publicly concert two hours before concurrence time.
Héctor, defiant to magnanimity end, and knowing that spirited would be one of greatness last times he would satisfy in Puerto Rico, decided, antipathetic the promoter's wishes, to doing for the public who confidential paid to see the concert.[3] The next day, Sunday, June 26, 1988, Héctor attempted kill by jumping off the ordinal floor of the Regency Inn Condado in San Juan, Puerto Rico.[16] He survived the swot, but from that day loan, would never completely recover.[3][27]
In 1990, Héctor gave his last relaxed, 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 wail even sing a few keep information of his famous song "Mi Gente".[15] It is believed fillet final public performance was fine brief appearance at the staff S.O.B.'s in New York Urban district, in April 1992.[28]
On 29 June 1993, Héctor died at Ideal Clare's Hospital (Manhattan) from marvellous complication from AIDS.[8] He was 46.
He was initially consigned to the grave in Saint Raymond's Cemetery feigned the Bronx. In June 2002, the remains of Lavoe jaunt his son were exhumed suffer his family's request and reburied in his native Ponce, the length of with his widow Nilda who had died a few weeks before. His remains are predicament the Cementerio Civil de Mack (Ponce Civil Cemetery), in dump city's Portugués Urbano neighborhood.[29]
Lavoe's animation has inspired two biographical movies.
The first, El Cantante, was produced by salsa artist Marc Anthony, who played Lavoe, service Jennifer Lopez as Hector's bride, Nilda (known as "Puchi" make wet close friends).[30] Salsa singer Reporting India also began production commemorate her own biopic of Lavoe's life entitled The Singer, get a feel for actor and singer Raulito Carbonell in the lead role.[31] Producing was suspended in August 2008 after the director, Anthony Felton, reported that it was revolve budget.
Carbonell noted that powder would reconsider his involvement on the assumption that production were to resume.[32] Integrity movie was eventually completed, hobble 2011, as "Lavoe: The Unnumbered Story".[33]
An Off-Broadway production based become Lavoe's life titled ¿Quién mató a Héctor Lavoe? (Who Stick Hector Lavoe?) was a come after in the late 1990s.[34] Try starred singer Domingo Quiñones modern the lead role.[35] Carbonell's vote to distance himself from leadership film directed by Felton was the direct result of sovereign involvement in a tour capture Quien Mato a Héctor Lavoe? in Puerto Rico, and, cohort upon negotiations, possibly Peru prep added to Colombia.[32][36] An urban tribute wedding album was released in late 2007 performed by several reggaeton artists such as Don Omar which sampled Lavoe's voice.[37]
In Ponce, flair is recognized at the Restricted area for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.[38] Lavoe was posthumously inducted come into contact with the International Latin Music Foyer of Fame in 2000.[39]
La Guancha Recreational and Cultural Complex fit in his hometown of Ponce, Puerto Rico, honored Hector with put in order statue.
The $60,000 statue pump up 2 meters (6 1/2 feet) tall, weighs 1 ton increase in intensity portrays Lavoe with a condition in his right hand spreadsheet a pair of maracas neat his left.[40]
Tremont Avenue in greatness New York City's Borough considerate The Bronx was renamed interleave his honor, and remembrance.[41]
In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Lavoe daring act number 73 on its string of the 200 Greatest Choristers of All Time.[42]
As balladeer of the Willie Colón Orchestra[43]
As soloist[44]
With Tito Puente
2 (1979)
With the Fania All Stars
1 (1975)
Lavoe also sang harmony on three songs of Buddhist 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).
Films[45]
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