Hector Lavoe
Biography
Héctor Lavoe was born to sing. As Latin music evolved from the boogaloo of the late '60s to the salsa boom of the '70s, Lavoe was at its forefront and "El Cantante" (the singer) of some of its most representative songs. Born Héctor Juan Perez in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on September 30, 1946, he was influenced by the Latin singers he heard on the radio, Daniel Santos and Chuito el de Bayamon, just to name a couple. As he grew more involved in music, he drew his inspiration from Puerto Rico's great sonero Ismael Rivera, as well as Cheo Feliciano. These influences are obvious in Lavoe's singing style: he attacks the son and montuno like the masters Rivera and Beny Moré, but Lavoe's natural talent for improvosation made him unique and very popular with salsa fans.
At the age of 17, Lavoe decided to quit music school in Ponce and set his sights on a singing career in New York City. By 1966, he found himself fronting Willie Colón's orquestra. Lavoe and Colón formed a partnership that would go on to span 14 albums, nearly all of which are gems in the world of Latin music. In 1973, Colón left Lavoe in charge of his orquestra, pushing Lavoe into his solo career. Without Colón, Lavoe's solo efforts only reconfirmed his singing ability and his inevitable rise to stardom. The pressures of being a huge salsa star were apparently too great for Lavoe. He had a difficult time handling his success and suffered a number of personal setbacks along the way. But Lavoe's fans never forgot about him and he always came back singing. In 1987, his final album, Strikes Back, was nominated for a Grammy.
With all the excess, fame, fortune, and tragedy from such humble beginnings, Lavoe's life has gone on to symbolize the salsa era of the '70s. With Colón, Lavoe helped shape the salsa sound of the '70s. As a solo artist, he defined the salsa sound of the '70s. And as one of the lead singers of the Fania All-Stars, Lavoe was the star among stars, "El Cantante de los Cantantes." ~ Roberto Ledesma, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

A Man And His Music
2007

Recordando A Felipe Pirela
2006

El Sabio
2006

El Cantante
2006

Revento
1985
EL MEJOR,ALGO DE OTRO,MUNDO'' ' ' e s t a b a adelantado,a l tiempo....
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One of the greatest of all times his music will be passed on to generations to come
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no one can top Hector's grace and lyrics. He was unique and his voice was flawless when he sang. Despite what people said or say about the drug use, when this man got on stage he was GREAT, he was a totaly different person when he sang. Fania and Willie Colon made a killing($$$$ ) off Hector
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Hector was a people person and made his mark in the history of Salsa Music no one like Hector LaVoe
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I'm surprised that you guy's never heard of Johnny Polanco he is verry popular
here in California specialy in Los Angeles His Most Popular Album is L.A. Amistad I realy Love this C.D.Album. Yours Truly Sam Marrero |
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el incomparable hector la voe Dios te bendiga para siempre!!!! jamas nadie sera como tu
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the best of the best, I cant get enough of him, and the tradition continues wiht this new generation, his music will live for ever and ever
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I'm 48 and have all lavoe's music. I can't have enough of him. I remember going to the garden and singing MI Gente, nothing can beat that. The good old days of Fania. Que Viva Puerto Rico.
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To whom can remember Hector with the "Fania All Stars"when they call him "El hombre que de frente y parece que esta delao"" Se parece al gato Felix" I still play his Christmas music with Willie, I'm 51 so you know. His music will play forever past in the future Hector Juan Perez God bless you glad I had the privledge of knowing you. Gracias Boricua
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"El Cantane" the story of Hector Lavoe played by Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez has all the awesome songs he did sung by Marc....it's a trip to hear the same songs with the slight twist cuz of Marc. But the music still gets me going soo good. The movie made me sad but made me want the soundtrack.
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um i dont speak spanish but if i hear another 1 of his songs ill be sick.
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gracias a hector la salsa fue es y sera lo mas grande aunque salgan nuevos ritmos nadie superara al cantante de los cantantes idolo del pueblo y del mundo sobre todo en el callao mi lindo Peru
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The list is long and distinguish de nuestros soneros. But never , never forget Hector, a great sonero de nuestra musica latina.
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Como el ninguno, suenos y momentos de juventud ,vividos escuchando esa vos tan unica......N o r m a
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HECTOR YOU ARE SALSA. THANK YOU FOR THE BEST SALSA EVER. YOU WILL LIVE IN ALL OF US 4EVER.
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hi my nane is elizabeth gonzalez i enjoy hector lavoe music i could indenftiy with his pain and sorrow went ever i here his song he is telling my story
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INIMITABLE!! Many have tried to imitate him; none have succeed. His unique style earned him the well deserved tittle "SINGER AMONGST SINGERS". Painful life, tragic talent and a great benefit to music and music lovers, specially this genre. Thank you Pandora, for making his music available.
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is the best of best artist in latin misic from puerto rico salsa good ritmo
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El mejor cantante que he conosido como el no ay nadie, por eso se gano el titulo De ElCantante de los cantantes. Nadie ha podido sustituirlo.
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I just herad of him and I feel in love with his music....Mus t be in the "BLOOD."
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