Born in the South Bronx, New York. At the age of eight Joey started banging on his mom's new washer. After wearing some of the paint off, mom decided to buy him some bongos with a warning, "Do not bang on my washer anymore!." Bongos became Joey's world. With an old hand me down record player he taught himself to play. Delivering groceries at thirteen he saved up and bought his first conga. At fifteen he had played very first gig and he's been playing ever since.Joey knew he had the rarest of hits: The crossover. The melody of “Rumors†was released in the year 1967 and was an instant success with audiences across the city. People didn’t have to be Latin to enjoy or understand this pop music gem. Pastrana’s boogaloo had finally reached the masses, and he was one its major stars.
Best known for the chart-topping crossover hits “Riki-Ch†and “Dance Donaâ€, Joey Pastrana had a special gift for singing songs in both English and Spanish. Along with other boogaloo luminaries like Pete Rodriguez and Joe Cuba; Joey Pastrana was responsible for introducing Latin music to many English speakers across America. With a wonderful and talented orchestra, Joey Pastrana paved the way for the new Latin music fusions that have come to be known as the Latin boogaloo.
A master of the timbales, Pastrana was also a brilliant singer known internationally for his energizing live performances. Honing his musical skills in his beloved New York City, Joey was enamored at an early age by the sights and sounds coming out of Spanish Harlem during the early sixties. Taking his cue from the R&B and Jazz that was popular at that time, Pastrana became a master of rolling rhythms that shook up hips in dance floors throughout the world. One of the top artists of the boogaloo/Latin soul era, Joey Pastrana’s music is regarded as one the most wonderful and exquisite examples of the world-famous New York Latin sound. Joey's musical influences have been Mongo Santamaria, Tito Rodriguez, Tito Puente, Machito Orquesta, Eddie and Charlie Palmieri, Cal T. Jader, Chano Pozo, Mon Rivera, Johnny Pacheco and numerous charanga bands.
