Today is late salsa singer, Hector Lavoe's birthday, so I had to share some info with all of my Mas Magazine gente'!
He led quite a colorful life, and if you're looking for some incredible salsa music, look for his records.
Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony recently released a move in the theaters called 'El Cantante' named after one of Lavoe's biggest hits of the same name. It should be out on DVD soon. The movie reproduces some of the Fania All-Star performances, but misses much of the more positive aspects of his life. There are some great documentaries available on The Fania All-Stars too, so find them online as they are now being re-released after a long absence on the market.
If you're not familiar with the greatest voice the genre has ever produced, here's a little bit of info, courtesy of Wikipedia.com..
Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez (September 30, 1946–June 29, 1993) was a Puerto Rican salsa singer. Lavoe was born and raised in the Machuelito sector of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Early in his life, he attended a local music school and developed an interest inspired by Jesús Sánchez Erazo.He moved to New York City when he was seventeen years old. On his first week living in the city, he worked as the vocalist of a sextet formed by Roberto García. During this period, he performed with several other groups, including Orquesta New York, Kako All-Stars, and the Johnny Pacheco band.
In 1967, Lavoe joined Willie Colón's band and performed as the band vocalist.With the Willie Colón band, Lavoe recorded several hit songs, including El malo and Canto a Borinquen. While working with the Willie Colón band, Lavoe became addicted to drugs. When Colón retired, Lavoe became a soloist and formed his own band, where he performed as lead vocalist.As a soloist Lavoe recorded several hits including El Cantante, Bandolera and El periódico de ayer. During this period he was frequently featured as an invited vocalist in the Fania All Stars, and recorded numerous tracks with the band.
In 1979, Lavoe underwent a strong depression and sought the help of a high priest to attend to his drug addiction. After a short rehabilitation, the deaths of his father, son and mother in law made him return to the addiction.These events, along with being diagnosed with HIV, affected Lavoe to the point of attempting suicide by jumping off the balcony of a hotel room. Lavoe survived and recorded a disc before his health began failing. Lavoe died in June 29, 1993, from a complication of AIDS.
**My band, Mento Buru recorded a version of Lavoe's classic song, 'La Murga'! It's available on the Bakotopia Music Compilation, Vol. 1 available all over Bakersfield! Check it out!
READ more about Hector Lavoe! (CLICK PICTURE BELOW)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HECTOR!!!
