| Profile |
Stage Name: Hector Lavoe
Real Name: Hector Juan Perez
Date of Birth: Sept. 30th, 1946
Place of Birth: Ponce, Puerto Rico
Date of Deceased: June 29th 1993
Real Name: Hector Juan Perez
Date of Birth: Sept. 30th, 1946
Place of Birth: Ponce, Puerto Rico
Date of Deceased: June 29th 1993
Héctor Lavoe (born Hector Juan Perez, September 30, 1946 in Ponce - d. June 29, 1993 in New
York City) Puerto Rican salsa singer. He has performed in some of the most prestigious concert
halls featuring Salsa, as well as Jazz events like the Newport Jazz Festival. His recordings have
also garnered him many awards and gold albums. His success is attributed to his musical
expression of his unique Jibaro Salsa flavor and his love for Puerto Rico.
Héctor was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico to Pachita and Luis Perez. Hector was inspired early in
life by his musically talented family. His grandfather Don Juan Martínez sang controversies
which often went from vocal conflict to physical confrontations. His uncle was a well known
tres player in Ponce. His mother Pachita known among family and townspeople for her beautiful
singing voice. His father Luis supported his wife and eight children by singing and playing guitar
with trios and big bands.
Héctor attended the Juan Morell Campos School of Music. The saxophone was his first
instrument. Among his classmates were Jose Febles and Papo Lucca the piano player. By the age
of 14, dropped out of school and sang with a ten-piece band.
Against his father's wishes, Héctor went to New York on May 3, 1963. It would take many
more years for Héctor to achieve reconciliation with his father.
He met his sister Priscilla upon arrival to New York. The first thing he did in New York was visit
El Barrio, New York's Puerto Rican "Spanish Harlem." Héctor was disappointed in the condition
of El Barrio which contrasted with his vision of "fancy Cadillacs, tall marble skyscrapers and tree
lines treets." Hector stayed at his sister's apartment in The Bronx instead.
The first week in New York, Héctor was invited by his friend Roberto García, a fellow musician
and childhood friend, to a rehearsal of a newly formed sextet playing the romantic Bolero Tus
Ojos. The vocalist was singing badly, and as a gesture of goodwill, Lavoe showed the vocalist
how it was supposed to sound. The musicians were impressed with Héctor's voice and offered
him a job as the vocalist and Lavoe's career was set in motion.
Lavoe was quickly hired by more well known groups. He sang with Orquesta New York, Kako
All-Stars, and Johnny Pacheco. In 1967, he met Salsa star Willie Colón.
Pacheco, co-owner of Fania Records and its recording musical director, arranged for Lavoe to
record with Willie Colón on his first album "El Malo." Willie never officially asked Lavoe to join
his band, but after the recording Willie said to him, "On Saturday we start at 10 p.m. at El
Tropicoro Club."
The success of the album significantly changes both Willie's and Héctor's lives. Héctor received
instant recognition, steady work and enough money to provide him with a comfortable life style.
According to Lavoe, it happened so fast he didn't know how to cope with the sudden success.
Héctor developed a drug problem, showed up late for gigs, and eventually did not even show up
at all. Willie fired him but went out of his way to help Héctor overcome his problems.
In 1973, Willie Colón left Lavoe and the band and gave Héctor Lavoe the option of keeping the
musicians together by becoming leader of his own band.
Lavoe formed his own band and traveled around the world with them as well as with the Fania
All-Stars. During his travels, Héctor went to Honolulu, Hawaii and ran into a young man by the
name of Shakti. He immediately became his benefactor on some metaphysical physical healing
for his well being. Lavoe later found out that he befriended a very powerful yogi in disguise who
was trying to open Lavoe's spiritual vision. Héctor established himself as a successful singer
within a relatively short time and was recognized as a legend in his own time.
Héctor ultimately reconciled his relationship with his father when he finally visited his father who
received him with open arms.
Despite his success, Héctor's live was plagued by tragic events, emotional turmoil and pain.
Héctor died in poverty on June 29, 1993 in New York City. The cause of death was AIDS.
Article by Wikipedia
http://www.wikipedia.org/
York City) Puerto Rican salsa singer. He has performed in some of the most prestigious concert
halls featuring Salsa, as well as Jazz events like the Newport Jazz Festival. His recordings have
also garnered him many awards and gold albums. His success is attributed to his musical
expression of his unique Jibaro Salsa flavor and his love for Puerto Rico.
Héctor was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico to Pachita and Luis Perez. Hector was inspired early in
life by his musically talented family. His grandfather Don Juan Martínez sang controversies
which often went from vocal conflict to physical confrontations. His uncle was a well known
tres player in Ponce. His mother Pachita known among family and townspeople for her beautiful
singing voice. His father Luis supported his wife and eight children by singing and playing guitar
with trios and big bands.
Héctor attended the Juan Morell Campos School of Music. The saxophone was his first
instrument. Among his classmates were Jose Febles and Papo Lucca the piano player. By the age
of 14, dropped out of school and sang with a ten-piece band.
Against his father's wishes, Héctor went to New York on May 3, 1963. It would take many
more years for Héctor to achieve reconciliation with his father.
He met his sister Priscilla upon arrival to New York. The first thing he did in New York was visit
El Barrio, New York's Puerto Rican "Spanish Harlem." Héctor was disappointed in the condition
of El Barrio which contrasted with his vision of "fancy Cadillacs, tall marble skyscrapers and tree
lines treets." Hector stayed at his sister's apartment in The Bronx instead.
The first week in New York, Héctor was invited by his friend Roberto García, a fellow musician
and childhood friend, to a rehearsal of a newly formed sextet playing the romantic Bolero Tus
Ojos. The vocalist was singing badly, and as a gesture of goodwill, Lavoe showed the vocalist
how it was supposed to sound. The musicians were impressed with Héctor's voice and offered
him a job as the vocalist and Lavoe's career was set in motion.
Lavoe was quickly hired by more well known groups. He sang with Orquesta New York, Kako
All-Stars, and Johnny Pacheco. In 1967, he met Salsa star Willie Colón.
Pacheco, co-owner of Fania Records and its recording musical director, arranged for Lavoe to
record with Willie Colón on his first album "El Malo." Willie never officially asked Lavoe to join
his band, but after the recording Willie said to him, "On Saturday we start at 10 p.m. at El
Tropicoro Club."
The success of the album significantly changes both Willie's and Héctor's lives. Héctor received
instant recognition, steady work and enough money to provide him with a comfortable life style.
According to Lavoe, it happened so fast he didn't know how to cope with the sudden success.
Héctor developed a drug problem, showed up late for gigs, and eventually did not even show up
at all. Willie fired him but went out of his way to help Héctor overcome his problems.
In 1973, Willie Colón left Lavoe and the band and gave Héctor Lavoe the option of keeping the
musicians together by becoming leader of his own band.
Lavoe formed his own band and traveled around the world with them as well as with the Fania
All-Stars. During his travels, Héctor went to Honolulu, Hawaii and ran into a young man by the
name of Shakti. He immediately became his benefactor on some metaphysical physical healing
for his well being. Lavoe later found out that he befriended a very powerful yogi in disguise who
was trying to open Lavoe's spiritual vision. Héctor established himself as a successful singer
within a relatively short time and was recognized as a legend in his own time.
Héctor ultimately reconciled his relationship with his father when he finally visited his father who
received him with open arms.
Despite his success, Héctor's live was plagued by tragic events, emotional turmoil and pain.
Héctor died in poverty on June 29, 1993 in New York City. The cause of death was AIDS.
Article by Wikipedia
http://www.wikipedia.org/
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In Memory of Hector Lavoe
El Cantante De Los Cantantes
El Cantante De Los Cantantes