Hector Lavoe The Truth
Some people commented on our last post about Hector Lavoe,and to be frank they where not happy with either the film Hector Lavoe El Cantante or our coverage of said movie.
I believe that people tend to associate things in there lives with iconic figures, there have been studies about this thing. For example those that where of age the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated can tell you with detail where they where and what they where doing.
So I decided to try to make a post that would only deal with facts and in return I ask the readers to comment with facts.
For example do not comment “Hector Lavoe did great things” instead of doing this which is just a general comment, I want you to say “Hector Lavoe on such day did such thing and this is why he was such a great man” .
So let’s look at the facts.
First let’s start with the name.
Hector Lavoe is really Hector Juan Perez MartiÂnez.
In 1967 Hector Lavoe met Willie Colon and Johnny Pacheco, co-owner of Fania Records and its recording musical director, he was the one that suggested that Willie Colon record Hector Lavoe on a track of Willie Colon’s first album El Malo. Willie Colon liked it so he had Hector Lavoe record the rest of El Malo. El Malo was the record that put Hector Lavoe and Willie Colon on the map.
Now this is where people need to understand that the fact is the great, great talent in reality is Willie Colon that was the person that composed all the tracks on EL Malo, some songs he had help from Dwight Brewster. Not one song on El Malo was Hector Lavoe a participant in the creation he was just the guy that was told to not only sing it but how to sing it.
History has taught us, that usually the front man on a band is the person that people tend to give the recognition and everybody behind him tends to be forgotten.
The same year El Malo was released Hector Lavoe started a relationship with Carmen Castro they had Hector Lavoe’s first son Jose Alberto Perez, the same day that Hector Lavoe and Carmen Castro where baptizing there son, Hector Lavoe received a call letting him know that Nilda Rosado was pregnant with Hector Lavoe’s second son Hector Jr. Yes no doubt Hector Lavoe was a great stand up guy.
In 1973 Hector Lavoe and Willie Colon went there separate ways mainly because Willie Colon the constant professional was just sick and tired of dealing with Hector Lavoe and his antics even before Hector Lavoe became a junkie he was already missing gigs and missing recording sessions.
Willie Colon moved on to focus on record producing and stop touring all together.
To make sure Hector Lavoe fans understand all the songs you adore and pay tribute to Hector Lavoe from 1970 to 1973 not one of those songs where either written or produced by Hector Lavoe, it was all Willie Colon the words you love where really Willie Colon’s words the music you loved was really Willie Colon producing the sound. And before people start making stupid comments, Asalto Navideño 1 and Asalto Navideño 2 where not written by Willie Colon because of course we know it was a compendium of Puerto Rican Christmas songs but Willie Colon was the producer all Hector Lavoe did was step in to lay down the vocals of course following the producers instructions Willie Colon.
Hector Lavoe was given a chance from Johnny Pacheco to have his own band and also be a guest singer for The Fania Allstars.
Hector Lavoe was part of the group when the All-Stars returned to the Yankee Stadium in 1975, where the band recorded a two volume production entitled Live At Yankee Stadium. The event featured the top vocalists in Fania and Vaya records, Lavoe was included in the group along Ismael Miranda, Cheo Feliciano, Justo Betancourt, Ismael Quintana, Bobby Cruz, Pete El Conde Rodriguez, Santos Colon and Celia Cruz. Hector Lavoe recorded songs in fifteen different productions with the band, serving as vocalist in twenty-three songs in none of this songs was he a producer or writer.
Now again how ironic Hector Lavoe’s signature song “El Cantante” was composed by Ruben Blades and it was produced by Willie Colon. Yes Hector Lavoe’s fans, not even his signature was really his.
Hector Lavoe’s only hit song that he composed and even then he did not produce was “Bandolera” which at the time in Puerto Rico was highly criticized because, Hector Lavoe twice offers the song’s subject a woman, a beating. Again Hector Lavoe just a wonderful great guy.
The rest of the story is just down hill from here on most of it is about his drug addiction and constant not showing up to do his concerts or even at the end his small gigs.
Again the problem with people is that they match the artist in this case Hector Lavoe and the songs he sang to something dear to there heart.
Hector Lavoe was a junkie that owed his career to Willie Colon, the guy who till this day kept his life as clean as he could, has always been the constant professional made song after song a hit even with out Hector Lavoe. Even Ruben Blades career is due to Willie Colon but yet the movie “El Cantante” is the story of Hector Lavoe even though he neither wrote the song or produced it how ironic.
If we Puerto Ricans want to honor somebody it should be Willie Colon he was the one that really gave us the music year after year. He was the one that always showed to his concerts. But no movie will be made.
In closing here is a video that shows just how people twist reality to fit what they want to believe.
In this video you will here two astonishing things.
1. They will talk how he was recuperating from an incident at the Regency Hotel Condado in Puerto Rico. People there was no “incident” he tried to commit suicide by jumping from the ninth floor.
2. Hector Lavoe died of a heart attack. Yes his heart stopped after Aids had ravished his body. No he did not die of heart disease he died of Aids.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9-9q3jCjfo
No people Hector Lavoe was not Roberto Clemente Walker who died taking clothes and food to Panama kids. No he was not Gandhi.
It was not Hector Lavoe who changed the scene with Salsa it was Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe just came along for the ride.
Popularity: 52% [?]
I just have one thing to say, it was the vioce, nothing more that the peaple loved. The move showed that, if you have a gift you can lose it by using drugs.
I understand that Hector was there just to sing, but when he was on point he was one that gave life to a song. Yes he never wrote a song, but he made the song have feeling, and that’s something that Willie could never do!
Juan again as others that have posted, you are doing so as a fan and not a true overall fan and critic of Salsa.
Second I want to make clear I am not a huge fan of Willie Colon but I have to recognize what he has done.
My Favorite Salsa Singer is Ruben Blades even though he has not accomplished half of what Willie Colon has done but for me to start commenting here that Ruben Blades is the reason Salsa is what it is and all he has done for Salsa would be ludicrous.
To prove my point in reality Hector Lavoe has about ten songs that are the backbone for the whole craze plus the mystic of his downfall. I guarantee you if Hector Lavoe had not imploded we would not be here talking about him.
The fact is and this is what people tend not to really look at, the day that Hector Lavoe decided to jump of the Regency, which is the event that took the world and media by surprise, he was already a has been.
His glory days where way beyond him. The hit records had stopped a long time before.
Willie Colon:
El Malo (Colón: 1967)
Guisando (Colón: 1969)
Asalto Navideño (Colón: 1971)
Cosa Nuestra (Colón: 1972)
El Juicio (Colón: 1972)
Lo Mato Si No Compra Este LP (Colón: 1973)
Asalto Navideño Vol II (Colón: 1973)
After Hector Lavoe:
The Good - The Bad - The Ugly (Colón: 1975)
El Baquiné De Angelitos Negros (Colón: 1977)
Metiendo Mano (Colón Presents Blades: 1977)
Only They Could Have Made This Album (Colón & Celia Cruz: 1977)
Siembra (Blades & Colón: 1978)
Solo (Colón: 1979)
Fantasmas (Colón: 1980)
Canciones Del Solar De Los Aburridos (Blades & Colón: 1981)
The Last Fight (Colón & Blades: 1982)
Corazón Guerrero (Colón: 1982)
Vigilante (Colón: 1983)
Criollo (Colón: 1984)
Tiempo Pa’ Matar (Colón: 1984)
Especial No. 5 (Colón: 1986)
The Winners (Celia Cruz & Colón: 1987)
Top Secrets (Colón: 1989)
Color Americano (Colón: 1990)
Honra Y Cultura (Colón: 1991)
Hecho En Puerto Rico (Colón: 1993)
Tras La Tormenta (Blades & Colón: 1995)
Y Vuelve Otra Vez! (Colón: 1996)
Demasiado Corazón (Colón: 1998)
Now Juan was it again the Voice? Please Hector Lavoe had tracks that where not even released until hi died because they where that bad, and even then the lp had horrible sales.
The history is the history Hector Lavoe was a know body with out Willie Colon.
Not one of Willie Colon’s record was a flop some sold less then others but they all sold.
No Hector Lavoe was no saint, but who is? I was never ignorant of the fact that Hector was heroin addict and I am sorry that people think that Hector’s addiction was a myth or made up story to smear his name. Its a fact.
Yes Willie Colon may have written the songs and produced the albums, but it was the voice of Hector that transmitted the message and that made Willie’s lyrics and music what were then (hits) and what they are today (Salsa Classics).
I give both Willie and Hector credit where credit was and is due. They along with many others played an important part in the evolution of “Salsa”….no one person can stake a claim on it. Salsa may have been born in Cuba, but it took the genius of many talented musicians on this side of the pond to put it on the map.
Having said all that, let me make this point perfectly clear; Willie Colon and others of the “Salsa Hey-day” were not all squeaky clean. They all did their share of drinking, dancin, drugin and skeezin…..sex, drugs and salsa were the order of the day back in the 60’s and 70’s…..they were in Rome and did as the Romans did.
No Hector was no Roberto Clemente, Jose Albizu Campo or Padre Alberto. Hector was Hector. Just like you are you and I am who I am. Yeah his life was messed up, yeah he could have been a more responsible man, father and “Socio,” but you know what? Hector was what he was. Even those closest to him accepted him at face value.
Yeah Hector was an addict, yeah Hector was always late, yeah Hector was a womanizer, yeah Hector died penniless, so what? Hector chose what he wanted and sadly, it cost him dearly.
The bottom line is that in spite of the crappy choices he made in life and ALL the negative consequences resulting from those choices, you can say the name HECTOR LAVOE and people WILL KNOW who you are talking about.
I am not down playing Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco or any other Salseros of that day in the least, I give them their props just the same, but although Willie may have been the brains behind it all, Hector was the voice, not matter what ANYBODY says.
How many people in the music industry today haven’t had their share of scandals? It breaks my heart that Hector chose the road he chose, but even though I know ALL the negative stuff and crap, I still admire his talent. When Willie Colon, Ruben Blades and the rest pass on, I will do the same. Lo bueno es lo que vale.
In response to your comments referring to Hector’s lack of talent as a songwriter, or ability in comparison to Willie Colon remember to keep things in perspective. Hector was first and formost an entertainer. A very gifted and talented singer. You can have the best orquestra in the world, however if you do not have a singer to showcase your songs what good does that do you? Hector could draw in the people like no one else. Willie was the brains behind the music but the people came to hear Hector. Even when he had Ruben Blades singing with him (whom I also consider extremely talented as a composer, singer, actor and activist) they never matched the popularity with the public as he did when Hector was his vocalist. Frank Sinatra never composed a song in his life yet no one denies his talent as a singer of singers. We need to stop bashing our own and acknowledge and praise their work for the talent and giftings each one has as individuals. I have no ideas what Hector’s personal demons were, however wrong the choices he made they were his as a human being to make. I will forever cherish the many happy memories listening to his music brings to me.
L. Moreno “they never matched the popularity with the public as he did when Hector”
Oh my god dude do you know anything? How can you even make a statement like that?
Ruben Blades out sold Hector Lavoe 3 to 1. Hector Lavoe was famous to Puerto Ricans, Ruben Blades is an international star.
What the heck are you talking about?
Canciones Del Solar De Los Aburridos Blades & Colón: 1981 is the LP with Ligia Elena this record sold twice as many as any Lavoe Colon record.
Buscando América (Blades: 1984 Sold more than all the records Hector Lavoe sold in his whole recording time. You need to get your facts you have no idea what you are talking about.
And as for Willie Colon
El Gran Varon. Willie Colon as a single sold more than any other Hector Lavoe single and in this song not only does he sing it but also he wrote and produced.
Please people if you are going to comment do it with facts not bullshit that you though of.
I understand and hear your frustrations about Hector Lavoe. yes, Willie was the brain of the whole operation, but also understand, Hector had the culture behind him.Willie didnt even speak English. Willie was just a boy from New York who loved music. I just feel like if it wasent for Willie there would be no Hector, and if it wasent for Hector there would be no willie. If Willie was so great why didnt we hear about him before Hector. Dont hate on Hector because he was weaker and fell into temptations. Im not saying let celebrate his inresposible character ither. So please stop calling Hector a junky. Im 21 years old originialy from Colombia. I grew up dancing and listening to his music. Until now i come to read the real truth about Hector and it makes me sad. I cant judge him and neither can you, you were jsut a little boy when these facts took place. Let the man up there judge him. Let just all remember Hector for his great voice and charisma, and let praise Willie for all of his achievements.
Bottom line is he was a damn good singer. That was his calling. He found it and he shared it with us all. His personal life is just that - his business. But since the public has always bought an artist’s private life, we have been privy to personal details. Using our own smarts, we can learn from Hector’s mistakes. Don’t do drugs and don’t have unprotected sex. Also, have the $%#$# to leave someone when you know they are only going to bring you down.
You can credit Willie, you can compare Hector to Ruben but all that doesn’t really matter if you can’t see the full picture of a man with a God-given talent who opened himself up to his public.
Willie Colon knew he found a great talent in Hector Lavoe; he recognized the gift. It makes no difference how many songs Lavoe wrote or produced (if any) what matters is that his performances of those songs are what most remember as the classics. Absolutely no other singer could replace him as the quintessential Salsa vocalist. By the way, how many songs did Frank Sinatra write? I know he contributed some lyrics to a few songs, but does it matter?
I remember listening to Willy Colon and Hector Lavoe’s
music. My father would play the 8 track cassettes in the car. It was inspirational. A cultural experience. At the time it did not matter who wrote the songs . It was the sound of Hector’s voice. Milton Cardona and Jose Mangual Jr keeping time with the percussion. Willy’s trombone and the mesmerizing chorus. The Piano and Bass. And the sweet sounds all the other gifted musicians contributed to those great songs.
I personally do not want to waste any energy or time criticizing the lives of Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, etc. Mainly because I was not a personal part of their lives, went through their pain and suffering, experience all the things they went through, or paid the consequences for whatever mistakes they made which is part of being human. It was their lives, their pain and sufferings, and they paid for their own mistakes. I like to focus more on the great music that they gave us, how much I love to listen to their music, and the lively effect their music has had on my life throughout the years and to date.
Instead of making a mockery of our people, especially when a movie like El Cantante comes out, we Latinos need to learn to stick together and help promote it so other Latin movies can follow. We need to better appreciate our people and all our musicians (regardless of their personal flaws and imperfections) who gave so much of themselves in order to give us some of the best music we will ever have the privilege of listening too.
It’s a shame that unnecessary time and words are being wasted stripping apart some of our greatest musical entertainers of all times in order to list their negatives and weaknesses. The fact is that no one person could have given us the type of music they did without the contribution of the other. It took a group (not one) of great entertainers to be able to provide us with the great music we’ve had, and still have, the privilege of listening and dancing to. We should be honoring what each one gave of themselves which is their music and musical talents. So instead of focusing on the negatives, let’s focus on the positives and let the world know that we, Latinos, have and continue to be blessed with gifted people and music, with tremendous talents who will live forever in our hearts, will always be loved and respected, no matter what they experienced in their personal life. Que viva mi gente y la musica.
I agree with you 100 percent,but even though Willie was the powerfull figure,in the very begining he still needed Hector’s voice,because with out Hector’s vocals he wasn’t going nowhere.Willies group with Hector’s voice was a unique band that could’nt be compared.Come on,the bad boy Willie on the side with his trombone singing coro next to Hector,no band couldn’t stand close.You know in the album of Willie(solo)that he’s the soloist in vocals?You know that song (Y YO SIN PODERTE HABLAR?)I think that if Hector sang that song,he would’ve sold more records than Willie did himself(TRY TO PICTURE THAT), and if Willie would’ve kept Hector through all that time they had split till the end of his career Willie would’ve had made more money.But Hector’s bad addiction of course they both never concoured their dreams that they wished before.Imagine Hector signing all those songs that Ruben Blades and Willie did together.YOU KNOW THE REST.
i agree w/you, however i think you should re-write your facts so they seem more as facts instead of angry person trying to be a voice for Willie Colon. You are write he was told what and how to sing, what singer/rapper today isn’t?? the days of artist’s writing their own lyrics are gone and have been gone. song writers are even begining to recycle lyrics, so many songs sound the same. and i don’t know what movie you saw, but the movie did show hector screwed up his own carreer, he was an addict and never took responsibility for his actions, and that he died of aids 5 years after he commited suicide. I think more people would pay attention and take what you write for fact if it didn’t sound one sided. thanks for setting the record straight! long live willie colon!
Your blog was extremely negative. Yes you did state facts, however Hector Lavoe was not a drug addict his whole entire life. You made it sound as if he was this no talent junkie that walked in from a crackhouse and Willie Colon picked him up and cleaned him up. He may not have writen or layed down the tracks…but he did bring them to life. Don’t easily assume that just any singer could of sang the songs the way Lavoe did. The records wouldn’t have sold as much and the fans wouldn’t have praised him if he was the horrible person you made him out to be. You also have to keep in mind how bad the record label industry was at that time…companies were known to steal lyrics from their artist and put their names on it without any recognition from the artist. Also bear in mind that Colon loved him and saw talent in him and was quoted himself saying the the record label cheated Hector Lavoe out of a lot of money. Unfortunately all articles and the movie “El Cantante” focused on was his drug addiction and rocky relationship with Puchi nothing else. Furthermore, don’t be so disgusted with his death from AIDS, he wasn’t the only person to die from this. Many great artists died of this virus around that time period.
Angell please do not take my word for it, do your own research
MB How old are you? I was in Puerto Rico when Hector jumped out of the Regency, by this time his days of hit songs where way gone.
Look my problem is not with Hector, to be honest I really do not care for him or Willie or any other artist, my problem is with people like you!
Learn to do your own research, learn to read and inform yourself than comeback with facts.
This whole thing started when I made my first post on the reactions of people to the movie and how JLO was slammed by the way they where portraying Hector , and my post said how else could you portrayed a JUNKY?
Hector Lavoe was an amazing talent one of the best soneros that have ever picked up the microphone, but at the end of it all, he decided to end up being a JUNKY who never did anything for anybody but himself!
“Furthermore, don’t be so disgusted with his death from AIDS, he wasn’t the only person to die from this. Many great artists died of this virus around that time period.”
MB Do you know how to read?????? My disgust is not with the fact that he died from AIDS. My disgust is in how the video piece, the truth is obscured by legend and to keep his image clean.
Why would you want that? I do not want to be remembered as a person that had an image of a good person I want to be remembered as a good person because that is what I am.
“The records wouldn’t have sold as much and the fans wouldn’t have praised him if he was the horrible person you made him out to be.”
Made him to be what? Everything that I have said is fact! I have not invented nothing!
Fact: He was a drug addict.
Fact: When he got Puchi pregnant, he was still with the mother of his first kid, as a matter of fact the day he found out Puchi was pregnant he was baptizing his son.
Fact: He died broke because people got tired of him missing gigs and recording sessions.
If you want to recognize a decent caring and worthy Puerto Rican why not recognize Roberto Clemente who died in a plane crash on December 31, 1972 while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Yes I am angry, I am angry that we Puerto Ricans keep defending shit and then wonder why in shows like Law & Order Puerto Ricans are always the drug dealer, the junky or the thief.
I do not care if you are white, black or yellow I do not care from what country you come from, If you chose to live your life like a piece of shit I will not defend you.
The Truth Hurts
Listen, I’ve been in and out of the music industry and one thing is, whoever gets the producer and song writing credits is usually all about business and most of the time it’s all about who’s a better businessman and it’s usually not the artist. Independent labels (fania, rmm etc..)are notorious for screwing there artist out of what’s theirs. My friend you are not seeing the big picture. The media makes you or breaks you no matter who you are. You say he was selfish, why because he didn’t do charities. Have you ever been to a charity event and know what’s actually behind it$$$$. The only thing that drives the music industry today is greed. The drug problem is a worldwide issue that I have seen first hand. Our free american media does a good job at putting us black and brown minorites at the center of it. You really have to take your head out your ass and see the big picture.
“You really have to take your head out your ass and see the big picture.”
You probably are another sorry excuse of a Puerto Rican, I am a professional, my wife is a professional. I do not use drugs and never have my kids have never used drugs and are growing up to be fine and decent human beings.
I was raised poor by an alcoholic mother, I could have used all this bullshit excuses to justify being a loser like you probably are.
All the things that go good or bad in our lives is because of choices we made. With your theory we can blame everything we do wrong on something that affected our lives.
Buddy you by definition are a loser. Some one that lives his live using excuses to justify his shortcomings.
I have made mistakes in my life, thank god not one that could not be fixed but I learned and chose not to make the same mistake again. All my mistakes have been by choices I made, know body put a gun to my head to decide on anything.
I have given to charities in my life time, but to me that is not giving back. I have spend hundreds of hours feeding and helping homeless people and drug addicts trying to give them the hand that sometimes can change there life, but I never lose sight that they are where they are at because they chose.
Years ago I found myself living out of a car and with out eating for three days. At 3am I sat in my car in front of a 7 Eleven trying to get the courage to beg for some money to eat. It would have been easy to say oh I am here because of so and so and because so and so discriminated against me but at the end of the day, I was there because of bad business decisions that I took. I spend another day without eating and the following day after getting some food in a Church I found a new job, since then I have never looked back.
I ask you friend, who has his head up his ass, me that takes responsibility of my actions or you that blames everybody else for your shortcomings.
Moises grow up and become a man, stop using fucking excuses.
Hector Lavoe had the life he had because he chose.
Ruben Blades was a rising star in Fania at the same time that Hector Lavoe was coming up, but yet Ruben Blades is not dead because of Aids or a drug addict. Instead he is an accomplished musician, actor, lawyer and politician.
Stop blaming the media, stop blaming the music industry and learn to accept responsibility, till then you will never be a man.
You obviously have a chip on your shoulder. You sound like a frustrated individual, you are resolving to insult me, when the issue is Hector lavoe. First of all I’m not saying that Hector is a victim, if anything I’m saying your the victim of your small minded ignorance. Life is bigger than accomplishments and degrees. My point with the record industry is that people are taken advantage of, because of the greed of the excutives and the cut throat business it is. Hector being drugged up all the time was to the advantage of the label because he was more vulnerable, if they were a decent business with any morals they would have dropped him off there label. But my friend he was making them to much money. Are you aware of the millions of dollars that Hecter Lavoe the artist has generated, and yet he died broke. again I’ve been in and out of the music industry and I have seen so many young talent get conned out of there time and dreams by sleazy business savvy execs. This is my point, I never blamed them for his drug issues.
Also you compare to much. Of course you never took drugs, you probably live a lame suburban life, you don’t exist.Live one day in his shoes, lets see how many bad habits you fall into. Why don’t you just go down on Ruben Blades.
By the way I am not Puerto Rican, I was born and raised in New York.
Moises what is this called the New York two step?
Moises you say:
“You obviously have a chip on your shoulder. You sound like a frustrated individual, you are resolving to insult me, when the issue is Hector Lavoe.”
I would like to remind you that you where the one that ended your comment with:
“You really have to take your head out your ass and see the big picture.”
But son it’s ok, I see I struck a cord. But what do you do? You come back and keep up the let’s blame some else for a persons short fall.
No son I have not lived the picture perfect suburban live, if this was so I would have never ended up living in a car.
Again Moises you will never become a man till you learn to accept responsibility for you actions and stop blaming others for your problems.
“By the way I am not Puerto Rican, I was born and raised in New York.”
No you are not your parents are Puerto Rican, and in the New York Puerto Rican parade you probably are one of those that puts the Puerto Rican flag hat and shirt and act’s more Puerto Rican then those that where born in Puerto Rico.
Son you are the cliché you are the Law & Order “Nuyorican”
Your wrong again. My parents are dominican. My personal views have nothing to do with the way I have carried my life, who cares if I am gay and use drugs. I am not a judgemental person and I just get ticked off at bochincheras that sit pointing fingers at people they never knew. Someone thought Hector should get a homenage, let him get his fucking movie. Ruben Blades’ squeeky clean career makes for a boring movie, even for a documentary.
When I’m talking about hector, I ‘m talking in general; in which all the hectors out there end up in the streets completely destroyed. and all the britney spears end up in rehab and then the book deal and what ever other shit they can capatalize on.
“My parents are dominican.”
Yeah right LOL
And using the word “bochincheras”
Moises, just stick to your boyfriend, drugs and your music, you are just fine.
Vic:
First of all, I want to say that I agree that Willie Colon must be given due recognition for his immeasurable contribution to the music. He is truly one of the great legends of the music of all time (even if you are not a big fan, I believe this is hard to deny).
Regarding Hector…I don’t think anyone would or should have a problem with facing the facts of how he lived his life. Some seem angry about this depiction or focus on Hector in this way. Unfortunately, it’s not something that can be swept under the rug. Much of Hector’s professional career was characterized by drug use and addiction that he, himself, seemed desperate to try to stop. He did have some successful periods, but ultimately succumbed to his weakness. His personal difficulties and tragedies were very probably a key factor in his losing the struggle.
But being weak and troubled is not the same as being a “bad” person. People close to him have commented to the contrary…that he was actually a better person than he is often made out to be. He made bad choices (especially the choice to mess with drugs. This, clearly, did him in).
You made a valuable statement by saying he was “an amazing talent one of the best soneros that have ever picked up the microphone”. Again, I couldn’t agree more. He made some unfortunate choices. But I think peoples’ focus here is not on his unfortunate life (unless maybe to feel pity for him), but on the fact that he was a truly amazing sonero. I honestly feel that several of the great songs on Willie’s early records with Hector would have truly fallen short if it hadn’t been for Hector’s incredible vocal work. I feel that some of Hector’s vocal demonstration on a number of these songs is so phenomenal that words can’t even do justice to describing it. And I honestly feel that Willie would be the first to admit that this is true.
But, also in the interest of being fair, we have to note that Hector actually did have a hand in some of the songwriting of some of the songs he did with Willie that he was most known for. Among them are : Que Lio, Ausencia, Juana Pena, No Me Llores Mas, La Murga Panamena, Abuelita, Aguanile, and El Dia De Suerte (not to mention some perhaps less popular songs). Imagine Aguanile and Abuelita, for example, without the benefit of Hector’s soneos.
Yes, I agree that he was one of the best in his trade. I don’t think anyone would wish to downplay Willie’s importance in the music. But I honestly feel the music has truly benefited from the presence of Hector Lavoe as one of the finest soneros to ever grace a stage or a studio. Thank you.
Johnny,Hector also wrote La Fama and Paraiso de Dulsura
Thanks guys point taken and welcome to the site.
Como murio Puchi? Tengo entendido que se cayo por una escalera. Oi que le habian operado del corazon, y que tambien tenia una enfermedad de los pulmones (asma bronquial). Sobrevivio la operacion (supuestamente), pero no se si lo de los pulmones la tenia debil, y por eso se cayo(???) No se si alguien mas tiene informacion distinta a esta.
wow that was quite a sting there i have to say though that i must disagree with some things, true he was a heorin addict this man had problems perhaps that he could not face but as an artist, maybe people did compose songs etc but he interpetted the sons it was his interpetation is what made him famous people write books and then made into film and it is the actors that make that make the charectors and stories come alive and they never wrote a book in their life. we have all come short as human beings he had a special gift and many of his peers would agree to that the colon and lavoe marriage was meant to be nothing happens for no reason they both benefitted from that relationship.as mentioned above being weak does not make you a bad person, we all have weaknesses but hector will always be loved by the public and his peers, lets not forget to mention he continued to please the public even up to his death bed and that takes real courage, i hope instead of critizing we should all be praying for his soul may god have mercy on him.
by the way vic god bless you, but i have also learned in life until you walk in somebody’s shoes we have no right to judge even if we disagree with what they do remember hate the sin but love the sinner. my mother attempted suicide and was also dependent on drigs not heroin but just the same sometimes we just see the extieror and not the interior
Sylvia welcome and God Bless you. You are totally right, as the son of an alcoholic mother who would disappear for 2 weeks at a time in a drunken binge and leave me her 10 year old son alone in an apartment this is what I have to say, I adore my mom but I have never looked for excuses and built a false image of her.
We have learned to use excuses in life, the Lord always has the best offered to us, but we are the ones that have to choose to walk the path that leads us to his offerings.
No, I do not have to praise a drug addict because he was a great salsa singer. I know a lady in New York her name is Maria Cotto, she is a 61 year lady that lives of Social Security, every day she gets up at 5am and gets home sometimes after 10pm doing what?
Visiting aids patients that do not have family members or the financial resources to pay for private care. Maria does not get paid a cent she does this just because she is a Christian and feels the need to help others.
I have never heard Maria talking about the reasons why she is not a famous singer or why she does not have millions in the bank, all I ever here from her is how much she has had in her life and how she loves to help others.
Maria Cotto is a hero, she is a person worth admiring.
God gave us the ability to chose our path, no I do not have to walk in some others shoes to know that I am walking in the wrong path, this gives us the ability to judge and choose another path.
You are right don’t hate the sinner, hate the sin, but please do not take the responsibility away.
Paul said: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:7-9).
You are missing one very important detail Hector Lavoe was known as “El Cantante” translation “The Singer” not the producer, or writer. His talent was to sing and that he did. He was a “Sonero” he had an amazing ability to spontaneously blend the melody and the lyrics. Willie Colon is extremely talented and business focused, but he could never do what Hector did.
They were both part of a musical movement, a rhythm that all Spanish people identified with. It brought Latin Americans together and made them feel like they were home.
Yes Hector was a drug addict, but he was also a man with many sorrows. You are correct to say….everyone simulates their live to those icons, but fail to ask.. WHY? Things were different back then, the drug scene in that environment was normal. You’re quick to judge and point out how horrible he was… I ask you why? To make yourself better? There was more to him than the “junkie†you classify him to be. So much love and remembrance is not derived by a mere junkie.
Hector Lavoe was an artist, a man who is loved and missed by many. His essence and voice has not and will not diminish with critics like you.
Roxana, blah, blah, blah .
“There was more to him than the “junkie†you classify him to be. So much love and remembrance is not derived by a mere junkie.”
Name me one deed that Hector Lavoe did for some one else, did he get on a plane that he paid for himself to go take clothes and food for kids and lose his life. (Roberto Clemente)
Did he stop training for his biggest fight, to go visit kids after the September 11 bombings? Even though the person he was fighting flew to Miami to finish his training, he did not want to leave (Felix Trinidad)
Roxana did you ever meet Hector Lavoe? I did, and yes he was high as a kite. Not much to say, no there was no meaningful talk about life and the meaning of it, he was to worried on hitting on a 16 year old girl that was outside the club and a chance to go to the bathroom to go hit some coke.
Vic, Blah, blah, blah…that’s probably what Hector said when he met you and that’s where all this animosity is driven from.
Not everyone is as grand as Roberto Clemente, Felix Trinidad and you. =o)
Roberto Clemente was an extraordinary human being who was privileged enough to be a product of a “normal†up bring. Felix Trindad who can be labeled as a cheat (multiple incidents of wrongly wrapping his hands led to investigations) was trained by his father. These are individuals who were brought up in different life surroundings.
We all deal with sorrow and loss differently some strive and other are not that fortunate. Drug addiction is a sickness, a sickness that empowered Hector. A sickness, that many are not immune to, and you should be careful how you judge the people that have it. Who knows what waits for you around the corner, your son/daughter loved one can become addicted and how would you feel if they were degraded like this?
Vic: “Name me one deed that Hector Lavoe did for some one else,â€
One great deed, by Hector Lavoe…. he served as an example. He made the youth think twice about drugs. He made himself “real†in his errors, making everyone think…this could be me. His voice did and continues to feed MANY. The proceeds from the Fania All Star concert in Africa (where he performed for free) were for multiple charities. Hector was humble and helped club owner filling in for opening acts, even at the height of his career. He established an Aids foundation before his death. He raised and loved his stepdaughter Leslie Perez as if she was his own. He is the root of many charities, foundations and youth programs today. oooppss Vic, that would be more then one!
Roxana I pondered If I would approve this comment, since most of what you say is pure fiction, but then, one of the things I am proud about this site is the chance to provide an open forum on anything.
Facts : All the Fania Stars got paid for the concert at Stadu du Hai in Kinshasa, Zaire, they also got paid royalties for the live recordings.
Hector Lavoe did not establish an Aids foundation. As a mater of fact, his aids was not known until after his death, and even to this day there are articles and tv specials that mask his aids with a heart attack.
Hector Lavoe is not the root of any charity what so ever.
You mention his daughter, please look at this interview from 2006 and see how she keeps avoiding talking about the dad you say raised her with so much love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....38;search=
She keeps talking about supporting the performer, why? Because she receives royalties and every time there is a remember Hector concert they pay her and fly her to this activities.
You mention Felix as a cheat, I will even add more he is a womanizer a lier and has some shady dealings, but even him after September 11 decided to stop training and went and visit people in the hospitals at least showing a good deed.
You mention club owners, this just killed me and I just rolled laughing, niña you are just totally clueless, club owners hated Hector Lavoe he would constantly missed gigs or come in so drugged up he could barely perform.
Roxana you are my perfect example of how ignorance and a person with low self esteem creates a false image of a person to feel better.
Look it up there about 7 studies 2 from Harvard, you know what Harvard is right?
One last thing listen to this interview, this is the guy you worship and invent facts to try to portray as an incredible human being.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....38;search=
I hope you are not from Puerto Rico, you put our race in shame. If you want to feel empowered by our race read and discuss Luis Muñoz Marin or Luis Ferre.
Vic, Sound Familiar…..Superiority complex - refers to a subconscious neurotic mechanism of compensation developed by the individual as a result of feelings of inferiority. Those exhibiting the superiority complex commonly project their feelings onto others they perceive as inferior to themselves. Accusations of arrogance and cockiness are often made by others when referring to the individual exhibiting the superiority complex.
Correct Spelling - Stade du Hai in Kinshasa, Zaire,
1988 he was told and made public he contracted AIDS. It was no secret; he didn’t treat it as such. It was the public who didn’t accept it (lack of knowledge of this disease).
It’s easy to make many mistakes and be a dishonest person and cover it up with 1 good act. Hector chose not to do what they all do cover it up; he was just him (whether good or bad).
Thank you for the Niña (love it); I don’t think they hated him all that much being that he was their bread and butter. Pay attention, I said he helped them out, not that he was loved by them.
As far as his daughter.. She is the only one that knows he true her feelings for him. Did you ever stop to think that maybe she avoids the subject not because it’s sour, but because she mourns.
Harvard….you must be an honorary member I can so tell from your writing. =oP
If ignorance is believing there is good in people, then so be it I am a proud ignorant.
P.S. I’ll be making a donation to the Comité Pro Monumento a Héctor Lavoe, for his monument in Ponce, Puerto Rico. lol
Roxana blah blah blah, my god how much shit can one person talk.
Please no bullshit, just point to those famous charity’s that Hector started.
You correct my spelling but you do not make one note on the fact that they did get paid.
The only people that had knowledge of his disease was his family, instead of writing so much bullshit do the research, there is not one article or interview where he talks about his aids.
I will not waste my time, you are way to ignorant to learn, here is his last official interview denying he has aids, and notice that the daughter you claim so much that is in mourning did not even go to the hospital to see him, this comes from his own words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dKjrCIcecE
So go and make your donation and keep representing what ever it is that you represent, but this I will say.
As a true born and raised Puerto Rican, you are the cliché that make us be the drug dealer and knife carrying thug in every movie or tv show.
I would bet you probably have never been to Puerto Rico and have no idea what is a true Puerto Rican.
Like I said before, go and buy the biographies for Luis Muñoz Marin and Luis Ferre so you might get a better understanding of your heritage.
Vic:
I believe this tends to be a tricky topic that we’ve been considering. There has been a lot of support shown for Hector…..even seemingly a lot of praise. There’s a lot about Hector that I like(d). I think we have agreed that as a “sonero” he has on most occasions been more than impressive. This, I believe, is one major area for which people have been applauding him.
I know it’s irresponsible to defend Hector from the criticisms pointed at how he chose to live his life. He didn’t have to make the choices that he did. He came to NYC with the intention of making his mark as a singer, which was certainly an honorable agenda. He basically succeeded. His motivation seemed to speak on his behalf in a very positive way. I feel, to this point, credit is deserved. He was even known in his circle as one who had intended to do right by the children he fathered. He was not (totally) lacking in his sense of responsibility.
His big mistake, which cost him dearly from that point until the end of his life, was that bad choice to immerse himself in the drug culture (and then some). As you have stated, Willie was no stranger to being “cool” and with the times. But he exercised enough restraint to not fall victim to it all, the way Hector did. He had a good degree of professionalism with his trade at the beginning. But it all just got progressively worse. He even held it together during the early goings of his drug issues. But, sadly, that all fell apart.
One cannot help but wonder about those things in his life (besides the tragedies we’ve all come to learn about) that pushed him to the point where he just couldn’t get strong enough to overcome. Again, this does not constitute a basis for excusing it. He still messed up. I have to wonder to what extent Puchi was a factor in all this. While they did enjoy a bond of sorts, there were some intense difficulties between them. Can we say that it was all due to how Hector was constantly messing up, and that Puchi was just frustrated? Probably to a degree, but not entirely. Puchi was no girl scout, either. And word is that she had a way of intimidating Hector. Some of what Hector went through may have in some way been a result of his dealings with Puchi (though, again, this isn’t the whole story, nor does it serve to excuse his choices). But I think we can gather that Hector’s life was one of no small personal torment, even outside of his bad choices.
In being fair, as we listen to some of his songs, there appears to be a sensitivity that speaks on this behalf. He was known as a person of some generosity. So, yes; he did have some good personal qualities, not completely lacking in kindness. Yet, we wouldn’t liken him to a Roberto Clemente, or the like. He is mostly admired as a first-class sonero, with some ability to love. Yet, he totally destroyed himself with his choices, to where he did on a number of occasions act in a very unbecoming way. Did it hurt him deep down inside to know he was this way? Quite possibly. And we know he would have loved to quit the drugs. But we know you don’t just snap your fingers and find you’re cured. Did his life with Puchi and his other personal insecurities contribute to his weakness and inability to stop? Quite likely. But, STILL…. we can’t just sweep it under the rug. He was what he was….a great salsero/sonero and reportedly even initially a religious young man who just took a wrong turn, fell into a ditch, and couldn’t get out.
I truly feel for him. We’d like to have a nickel for how many people in our world are hurting beyond words. And, yes, I agree that some of us have been able to rise above, and others not. Some might be looked upon as lazy and unwilling to do what was necessary to survive. That’s a valid point. But some just bury themselves so deeply that it seems almost impossible to gain the victory.
Hector will be loved by many…forever. I believe we must be honest and not try to paint him as being a saint of some kind. But many who knew him actually saw a beautiful side of him. Unfortunately, his was a life that went sour. My only prayer at this point is that he might have made peace with God. The worst thought is to think of him on the wrong side of eternity. He was right….”todo tiene su final”; but SI “existe(la) eternidad”. May God bless you all.
Great, great comment, thank you for making such a smart and thought out comment.
Some people have understood that I have something against Hector, I have said this before and I will repeat it, I neither care or do not care, he has not influenced anything in my life, my problem has been with how people romanticized and create this false since of reality of what people are.
Hector Lavoe was just an amazing sonero, that was it nothing more or nothing less, ask yourself this before the movie came out, how many people knew who Hector was?
My point most did not know who he was and it did not matter because Hector did not contribute anything to the overall picture of the world.
Now let’s ask who is Sir Alexander Fleming most will be as clueless as if you asked who is Hector, now I guarantee you that probably you ask all the people here painting this false image of Hector who is Sir Alexander Fleming and most if not all will not know who he is.
Yet even though they do not know who he is, this man probably has had a huge influence in all our life’s since Sir Alexander Fleming discovered a substance he would later call penicillin.
I think we have had way more people to be proud than a salsa singer.
Dr. Antonia Coello Novello, U.S. Surgeon General
Dr. Antonia Pantoja, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Joseph M. Acaba, Puerto Rican Astronaut
Dr. José Ferrer Canales
Teodoro Moscoso, U.S. Ambassador
Admiral Horacio Rivero, U.S. Ambassador
Dr. MarÃa Cadilla, Women rights activist
This is just a glimpse of the vast talent a 100 x 35 island has produced.
Johnny I was thinking about your comments and how poignant they where, and remembered an article I read doing the research for the articles posted here.
In 1976 Hector did an interview with Max Salazar of Latin New York magazine where he said he was determined that his life would not “have a tragic endingâ€
This also made me remember how Chris Farley wanted to be as funny and have the fame of John Belushi but not die like him, at the end he did exactly that.
I also remembered when Anna Nicole Smith died there was a Psychiatrist in a show at CNN and she mentioned something that just floored me, some people just can not accept happiness, so instead they live a self destructive life.
Hector Perez is just as his artist names clearly states it, the voice. You’re article tries to discredit him saying that he did not compose, he was not a composer, he was a singer with a hell of a voice and thats what makes him a legend. Willie Colon is a musical genius and together they where the best salsa duo in history. I don’t understand why your article is trying so hard to bad mouth him. If you had half the talent he had your article would be much better. Let the guy rest in peace, he did his part, do yours.
sebastian you have not read all the comments or the articles posted before this one, it has nothing to do with Hector, but what some people commented and was not fact based.
“he did his part, do yours.” This I do not understand what part did he do, and what part I’m supposed to do?
Vic,
Yeah…I remember that interview. There were times when Hector sincerely believed he would beat his addiction. He truly wanted to (how many addicts wouldn’t like to), but just could not/would not.
I posted a comment on this before, but somehow lost it. I’ll try to reprodice it the best I can.
Some would say his personal “hell” was so great that he just could not overcome it. He seemed to be making progress, but then would just fall down again.
He was definitely beset by pain and turmoil, but he still lacked that ultimate motivation to conquer his dilemma. I am very sorry for how things turned out for him. Part of it may have seemed beyond his control. But ultimately, he needed to be more responsible.
While scrolling down, I accidentally hit the “submit” tab before finishing.
I guess I’m trying to say that Hector wasn’t just an innocent victim. He could have chosen differently. But we know he was in pain. He wasn’t by nature a bad person. But his addiction, etc. worked in his life in such a way that he often acted out in ways that were unbecoming.
Yet, his fans will remember him fondly as “el cantante de los cantantes”, and rightly so. I think we’re just trying to bridge the gap here between badmouthing Hector and portraying him as a saint, neither of which is entirely appropriate.
In terms of the badmouthing, certainly none of us is particularly qualified to judge him. We may comment on what clearly appeared to be irresponsible on his part; but we certainly have enough going on in our own lives to keep us in check, apart from over-extending our criticisms of Hector.
But his supporters, rather than trying to making him out to be a stellar representative of our community, will prefer to hail him as someone who excited us with some phenomenal singing and performing, and who will miss him in this regard.
Vic,
What are you making moral o music comments?
Hector Lavoe was weak, unmoral, irresponsable and dangerous as a normal person, but had a gift. His voice and way of singing. And that is what people appreciate. Willie Colon or Rubén Blades weren’t so lucky and didn’t had a gift, so they had to be hard workers and disciplined to do and get what they have done. Blades tells in an interview that Lavoes life was a disaster because he didn’t had discipline while he (Blades) is disciplined, so he hasn’t finished as Hector. What Blades forgets to tell is Lavoe was undisciplined maybe because he didn’t need discipline to be adored, while Blades would be nobody without discipline. Willie Colon wrote most of the songs and produced them. He was great producing and getting the best from his artists, but without Lavoe’s voice in the first years, Willie’s band would have disappeared and probably he would never have been what he is now. In fact, Willies traditional nick “El Malo” (”The Bad”) was due to how bad he played the trombone in his first shows. If you take a look at some Youtube videos (like “No me llores mas”), you will see Willies first years interpretation quality was really poor, but he had the luck or hability to get great artirsts playing with him, so the band was also great. I think Willie has to be appreciate as a grat producer, composer or “music builder”, and Hector as a great singer. The difference is that maybe, Colon wouldn’t be now what he is without Lavoe’s first years, while probably, Hector would have been a great and famous artist without Colon’s band. You say “El Cantante” is a Ruben Blades song. That’s right, Hector didn’t write it. But who cares about who wrote it? Try to imagine Blades singing it and try to compare it with Lavoe’s version… any doubt about which one would be the best?
Everything that needs to be said has been said, I will though just make a note, he was loved so much that he was never visited in the hospital and this including his family,this is said by him, as a matter of fact he died alone.
People today love the legend of Hector Lavoe but in life know body cared, if Hector had not died, he would probably just be another has been.
I have said it before and will say it again, as a sonero he is in the top 5 of all time, that has never been in question.
Wow. I just finished reading all these exhausting comments. Why does anyone feel that they have to treat music as if it were a religion? Music isn’t supposed to divide people, but unite them no matter what your background is. It’s something you feel.
It doesn’t matter who sang it, composed it or produced it. Just enjoy it for what it is and mind your own business about everything else.
As far as I am concerned, you are all co-dependant and your ego(s) are just clashing!
Well I’m not sure where to start but I must say that its a shame that as people we are always trying to find a way of proving a person better or worse. Lets be realistic, their music opened up a new meaning of life for many people in a time when hispanics were looked at as nobodies. It doesn’t matter who song it or who wrote it, what matters is that its there. Nobody asked what kind of person was Lavoe or Colon or who was better? They didn’t compete with each other so why are we judging? The people just came to sing the song and dance to the beat. Hector was alot of things but we all have something in common with him, which is we are all human. He choose is way or style of life and he had to live with it. Has anybody heard of Willie Colon taking credit away from Lavoe? No. So who are we to say anything? I’m a fan of both men not only because of their music but because of the stride to success from their humble beginnings. What they did with that was their own choice and no one elses. So lets stop the nonsense of who is who and what is what, Celebrate the greatness that each man brought to the music and sing their songs and dance to the beats.
i don’t know what all the talk is about in bad mouthing a guy who is now dead and had a hard life. truth is truth, but it should be spoken with respect and love, not blasting someone because you don’t really like him. on willie colon, it cracks me up that someone referred to him as a professional who wasn’t into the drugs. from what my aunt tells me, he was a crackero too. he just didn’t let it dominate his life.
Hector Lavoe El Cantante I believe that the name says it all I don’t think that it says he wrote songs or that he took credit for them but if you want to know the truth it was his voice which was and always will be his. It was the way he made those lyrics come to life, and the a true story of the early years when I was to small or yet not born in New York City and how fame can kill you if you can’t control it
HI VIC,
Before the movie came out El Cantante who knew you?
Just wanted to know!
VIC:
I have said it before and will say it again, as a sonero he is in the top 5 of all time, that has never been in question.SO WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM DO YOU ALSO WANT 15MIN OF FAME. (SUGAR THEY ARE UP) AND VIC PLEASE SHOW ME WHAT HAVE YOU DONE. KEY WORD SHOW
ASIDE FROM ALL THAT VIC.
IF YOU BEEN THERE AND DONE IT WHY ARE YOU QUESTIONING IT. AND BY THERE MEANING LOW SO LOW THAT YOU ARE AT THE EDGE OF NO RETURN.
THANK GOD YOU WHERE ABLE TO COME OUT OF IT BUT SOME AREN’T SO LUCKY AND THAT IS LIFE WITH OR NO EXCUSE
COMING FROM A NYC POLICE WHO HAS SEEN ALMOST EVERYTHING FROM GOOD TO BAD
I got one thing or maybe a lot to say to you, BUDDY! Hector IS an idol, he might have been a junkie like you say but he made Fania a lot of money, and that is more than what YOU can say, ignorant bufoon! Hector is the martyr of Salsa, MY IDOL and if it weren’t for drugs, he probably would NOT have been such a wonderful singer. Just try yourself to do five shows in one night and tell me if you can keep going like the Energizer bunny with nothing more than your own strength. You are only lying to yourself. Hector died of some form of AIDS-related disease which was not the disease itself, and you can blame heroine but there are plenty of people who have used heroine and NEVER got infected! So mister, or misses, whomever you are, before you go putting US Boricuas down, I suggest you go to your nearest train station and jump in front of an oncoming #4 train! You dig?
WOW SO MUCH NEGATIVITY, anway vic i also wanted to mention to you about ur last comment to me, i also came from ahouse hold where mom was an addict in her own right alcoholics etc we are not talking about praising a junkie but i believe that we all have a purpose here on earth like the lady u mentioned abousoltly hats off to her but in every walk of life we all have something to offer and hector offered that as well as many other entertainers who suffered the same fate. i enjoyed listening to him and he never protrayed to be anything but himself wrong or right as they say we are not all completly good or bad there is more to look in a person and lessons to be learned it’s all how we look at things. God Bless u vic
by th way vic happy new year!!!
All of you have a lot of time on your hands.
Ok, you all skeptics and cynics, and all you low lives who think you know it all! First of all, STOP criticizing someone if you don’t know the truth and second, how low anyone can be to talk about a great dead person like that and mostly, if it deals with my idol Hector LaVoe? The person who wrote the article is nothing but a misinformed, despicable creature whose life is a cliche, basing everything on generalizations and if you’re gonna put a great personality down, brush your teeth first! Hector LaVoe is the first and ONLY martyr of Salsa, a man who helped define that beautiful era of the 1970s and a music movement which I so hold dear in my life. Hey, I live the 70s everyday, you can say I’m in a time warp but that is nobody’s business. Like LaVoe said, “me dicen que yo soy loco pero se estan cayendo de un coco porque de mi no pueden reir” (from the LP “It’s Up To You (De Ti Depende) 1976. This was a man with talent, guts, determination, and YES his drug addiction IS what made him a legend! How many people look up to some stupid idiot who pretends to be civilized? Nobody! People tend to identify with tragic people because only they have guts to live a life they want to live and however the hell they want and I idolize that. And by the way, Hector DID author many songs with Willie Colon, such as La Murga (Asalto Navideno 1970), Ghana’e (The Big Break 1970), etc. Just look at the authorships of the songs from every Colon Lavoe album between 1967 and 1975. The song “paraiso de dulsura” from the LP “La Voz” was penned by hector himself and so was Te Conozco bacalao (Cosa Nuestra). What Marc Anthony and his Low Class J-Lo did and all that production team was ridiculize Hector and all of his peers as well as using all of the negative stereotypes of the 70s that their generation was brainwashed to think and put it out on an overpriced crap of production. That is what “El Cantante” is, sewage! Get the facts people, despierta mi pana!! This is a shoutout to all my Latino community Boricua! Let’s defend our pride and out people instead of putting it down and recognize that people make big mistakes and should be held accountable for them, as in the case of Marc and J-Lo. Hector deserves a high place in music history. Even his death is misconstrued, he had a similar case of AIDS but it was a combination of every disease in the book, from cancer to diabetes. Hector suffered two strokes; and AIDS patient usually dies from pneumonia. He just shattered his brain that’s all, and not every heroin addict contracts HIV. Ask me, I know a few that are still alive and never got the disease. AIDS was another way to add to the negative publicity Hector already had. In any case, if anyone doubts my arguments, then don’t be shy and step up to the plate. I don’t claim to have the truth, but I am well informed about this great man’s life. You all dig?!