Héctor Lavoe (born Hector Juan Perez, September 30, 1946 in Ponce - 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 MartÃnez sang controversies which often went from vocal conflict to physical confrontations. His uncle was a well known tres player in Ponce. His mother Pachita was 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. 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 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 streets." Hector stayed at his sister's apartment in The Bronx instead. The first week in New York, Héctor was invited by his friend Roberto GarcÃa, 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.Héctor began playing with bands in New York like Kako and his All Stars. He later met and worked for two weeks with the great Dominican bandleader, Johnny Pacheco. Pacheco introduced Héctor to a young, up-and-coming bandleader named Willie Colon. Willie who wanted a lead singer liked Héctor's clear voice, impeccable enunciation and stylistic abilities. In addition, Héctor had an enormous talent for improvisation. That introduction led to a very successful musical union that was embraced by the public.In 1967 Héctor and Willie recorded their first album for Fania, El Malo. Willie's band was young. They had a new sound and Héctor in addition to being a great talent, was very charismatic. Audiences loved him. He never had a big ego and considered himself just like everyone else. He was entirely approachable and happy to sign autographs. He managed to maintain a connection to his audience and fans at all times. He considered himself a simple jibaro and was proud of that. In 1967, Héctor met Carmen Castro. By the next year, Carmen was pregnant. He proposed to Carmen and asked her to move to a house in Puerto Rico. She refused. Carmen considered Héctor a womanizer. On Oct 30, 1968, Jose Alberto Perez was born. On the night of his son's baptism celebration, Nilda “Puchi†Rosado called Héctor to say she was also pregnant. On Sept. 25, 1969 Hector Jr. was born. Héctor eventually married Puchi. Although Carmen projected no malice towards Puchi and her son, the same could not be said of Puchi. She preferred that Héctor maintain minimal contact with Carmen and their son. Héctor was introduced to drugs at a party. According to his own account there was a bowl of drugs on the table and he indulged along with others at the party. He became enamored with the drugs (heroine) and was soon addicted. His drug abuse began seeping into his professional career.By 1974, Héctor 's usage was out of control. The drugs caused his erratic behavior. The Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe orchestra was receiving bad publicity. The integrity of the band was being compromised. Willie tried to help Héctor. Héctor was addicted to drugs and all of Colon's help and support could not produce the desired results of rendering Lavoe drug free. Willie felt he had no alternative and made the heart wrenching decision to disband his orchestra. Héctor was crushed. He felt Willie had abandoned him. The public was sorely disappointed to learn of the break up. Promoters around the world were clamoring to book Héctor for appearances guaranteed to draw huge audiences. Colon gave Héctor the option of keeping the musicians together. With a commitment from Jose Mangual Jr., a percussionist with the band, to keep the orchestra in tact, Héctor launched his solo career. Willie Colon who dearly loved Héctor despite his shortcomings would produce Hector's first album as a solo artist and many others. Hector's public continued to adore him and forgave his weaknesses. They still wanted to hear Lavoe sing. Héctor possessed a talent comprised of many elements including, great voice, clear enunciation, marvelous phrasing, and lyrical interpretation. During live performances, he never sang a song the same way twice. Lavoe was on a constant quest to rid himself of drug usage. In preparation for the Fania All Stars concert in Africa, he quit drugs cold turkey. Africa is one of the roots of Salsa along with Cuba. In Africa, he connected with the religious practice of Santeria. Santeria is the Latin version of the African religion brought by the slaves to their new homes. They gave their gods direct correlation to the Catholic saints in order make their religion more acceptable. The gods and the corresponding saints are different manifestations of the same spiritual entity. After the Africa experience, Héctor took sometime off and returned to Puerto Rico. While there, he began to use drugs again.By 1975, Héctor had 21 recordings under his belt. The same year, his band left him. They were weary of his antics. Once again, Jose Mangual Jr. came to his rescue. He assembled an orchestra in New York. In 1976, Hector had a string of big hits. Lavoe was a superstar. He was in demand and was packing the largest soccer stadiums in Latin America. Lavoe always demonstrated a generous spirit. One night after appearing at a concert in Madison Square Garden he was due to perform at the Corso nightclub. On the same bill was Joe Cuba and his band. Cuba's lead singer was nowhere to be found. Hector learned of the situation and told Joe he would sing for him. He never felt he was too good to lend a hand and sing someone else's music.In February 1977, Hector called Ruben Blades (now with former partner, Willie Colon) to the stage at the Corso club. Ruben accompanying himself on guitar, sang the song El Cantante, and announced he had written it for Héctor. This tune would later become one of Lavoe's signature songs. In April, Héctor suffered a debilitating nervous breakdown rendering him unable to walk. A number of factors contributed to his infirmity. He lived under a great deal of stress. He was working seven days a week with at least three shows daily. He was experiencing conflict with the record companies that were not compensating him adequately. He had ongoing marital problems and was estranged from his oldest son, Jose. His problems with substance abuse exacerbated the situation. It took Hector five months to recover. He vowed to rebound and delighted the audience at Madison Square Garden in September. In December 1977, Hector released a new album entitled Comedia, on whose cover he appeared dressed like Charlie Chaplin. The ten-minute version of El Cantante with its symphonic arrangement propelled the popularity of the album, which soon went platinum. Héctor continued his yo-yo relationship to drugs; kicking the habit only to become re-addicted. He would announce he was going on vacation and disappear. In reality, he was checking himself into drug rehabilitation centers. In 1978, consumed by depression, he began speaking of suicide. He turned to a powerful babalao (high priest of Santeria) for assistance to rid himself of the addiction. The babalao prescribed total isolation. For two months, Lavoe cut all ties to family and friends. He emerged strong, confident, and drug free. For a period, he wore only white clothing indicative of his dedication to the religion.Héctor 's life continued on its roller coaster-like journey of tremendous successes and rock bottom lows. He continued to arrive late. Héctor had more than his share of bad experiences at the hands of unscrupulous promoters and others in the business. Treating musicians badly was commonplace. He could recount numerous examples including not being paid for performances, being held a gunpoint, given inferior accommodations, being transported in unsafe vehicles and more.Lavoe also contended with a series of personal tragedies. 1987 was a particularly trying year. A fire completely destroyed his home forcing him and his wife to jump to safety. Shortly thereafter, his mother was brutally murdered outside her home in Puerto Rico. On May 7th, Héctor Jr, was accidentally shot to death by his friend. The series of events nearly destroyed Lavoe. In 1988, Héctor reemerged with the album titled Lavoe Strikes Back, which would be nominated for a Grammy Award. That same year, as a result of intravenous drug use, Héctor was diagnosed with AIDS. On June 28, 1988 Lavoe was contracted to appear in Puerto Rico at an outdoor concert. Nearby, a fiesta patronal was being held. Thus, the paid concert had poor attendance. The promoters canceled the concert immediately. The audience that had paid to see Héctor began chanting his name. Héctor escorted his orchestra to the stage saying he came to sing for his people and sing for them he would. As the concert began, the promoters disconnected power to the stage. This action humiliated Héctor, later that night Héctor went over the balcony out of his ninth floor hotel room. Controversy surrounds the night; some insisting he was pushed and others claiming he jumped. He landed on an air conditioning unit, severely mangled. He would never be the same after this incident. The adoring fans still insisted on him performing. For the rest of Héctor’s life, he would continue to make appearances but was unable to perform as he once did before. For this pioneer of salsa, Héctor established himself as a successful singer and was recognized as a legend in his own time. Despite Héctor's tremendous successes, his life was constantly plagued by drug addiction, tragic events, emotional turmoil, and pain.HECTOR LAVOE - eL cANTANTE HECTOR LAVOE - MIGENTEHector Lavoe y Willie Colon - No Me Llores MasHector Lavoe y Willie Colon - Sonero Mayor HECTOR LAVOE - SIGUE FELIZHECTOR LAVOE - Todo tiene su final. Hector Lavoe y Willie Colon - Senora LolaHector Lavoe Juana PenaHector Lavoe y Willie Colon..CHE CHE COLE.Hector Lavoe y Willie Colon CHE CHE COLE..part 2Hector Lavoe y Willie Colon – AGUANILEHector Lavoe y Willie Colon – Aire de NavidadEL CANTANTE
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