Héctor Lavoe
Héctor Lavoe (born Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez, September 30, 1946 in Ponce,… Read Full Bio ↴Héctor Lavoe (born Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez, September 30, 1946 in Ponce, Puerto Rico - d. June 29, 1993 in New York City) was a 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.
Early life:
Héctor was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico to Pachita and Luis Perez, and raised in the Machuelito barrio of the city. He was inspired early in life by his musically talented family. His grandfather Don Juan Martínez was a singer of controversial songs, which often went from vocal conflict to physical confrontations. His uncle was a well known tres player in Ponce. His mother Pachita was well known among her 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 would also be influenced by Puerto Rican singers such as Jesus Sanchez Erazo -also known as "Chuíto el de Bayamón"- one of the island's most successful folk singers, and Daniel Santos. Later in his life, would have the honor of recording songs with both artists.
Héctor attended the local Juan Morel Campos Public School of Music where the saxophone was the first instrument he learned to play. Among his classmates were Jose Febles and multi-instrumentalist Papo Lucca. Jose Febles wrote most of the horn charts for "Rican-Struction", considered by many to be the best album to ever come out of the New York Salsa scene. One of his teachers would strictly demand good diction, stage presence and manners from him (something that suited him well later on), claiming that as a bolero singer, Héctor would become a superstar. By the age of 14, however, Héctor dropped out of school and sang with a ten-piece band. moved permanently to New York on May 3, 1963. It would take many more years before Héctor was able to reconcile with his father.
Arrival in New York City
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 "Spanish Harlem." Héctor was disappointed in the condition of El Barrio which contrasted with his vision of "fancy Cadillacs, tall marble skyscrapers and tree-lined 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 García, a fellow musician and childhood friend, to a rehearsal of a newly formed sextet playing the romantic bolero Tus Ojos. The lead vocalist, who was singing off key, and as a gesture of goodwill, Lavoe showed the vocalist how it was supposed to sound. Impressed with his dynamic voice and stage personality, the group offered him the spot of lead vocalist, which he accepted.
Later in his career, he joined othermore well known groups in the genre, including 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."[need citation]
The album's success significantlytransforms 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.
Later years
With newly found success, Héctor, like many successful artists of his time such as Judy Garland, La Lupe, and Billie Holliday, became severly addicted to narcotic and prescription drugs. His addiction resulted in him showing up late for gigs, and eventually did not even show up to some appointments at all. Although Willie fired him, he tried to help Lavoe seek assistance to try to quit his habit.
In 1973, Willie Colón departed the band. Lavoe was giving the option of keeping the band together by becoming leader of his own band, which he did. 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 who went by the name of Shakti. Shatki eventually became his benefactor providing him with spiritual and metaphysical wellbeing. 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. With a new found spirituality, Hector eventually reconciled with his father when he finally visited his father who received him with open arms.
Despite his success, Héctor's life 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. He was first buried in a bruial plot in Saint Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx (which ironically is the burial place of both La Lupe and Billie Holiday; until 2002 Lavoe's grave was within walking distance from La Lupe's), however in June 2002 the bodies of both Lavoe and his son (who died in 1987) were exhumed per his family's request. They were later reinterred in his native Ponce, along with his wife Nilda who passed away a few weeks prior to the burial.
Lavoe's spirit and legacy still lives on. He is one of the few Latin artists to have his life filmed into two biopics. Both films, which will be released in 2006 are produced by two of the most prominent celebrities in the musical genre. El Cantante will star salsa superstar Marc Anthony as Lavoe, and film icon (and also's Anthony's wife in real life), Jennifer Lopez as Hector's wife, Nilda (also known as "Puchi" by close friends).
Meanwhile, singer La India is producing her own biopic of Lavoe's wife with actor Raul Carbonell in the lead role. The Singer (which is a literal English translation of the first biopic) will be released in 2006 as well.
Besides these films, an off-Broadway production of his life title Quien Mato a Hector Lavoe? ("Who Killed Hector Lavoe?) was a huge success in the late 1990s. IT starred singer Domingo Quiñones in the lead role.
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.
Early life:
Héctor was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico to Pachita and Luis Perez, and raised in the Machuelito barrio of the city. He was inspired early in life by his musically talented family. His grandfather Don Juan Martínez was a singer of controversial songs, which often went from vocal conflict to physical confrontations. His uncle was a well known tres player in Ponce. His mother Pachita was well known among her 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 would also be influenced by Puerto Rican singers such as Jesus Sanchez Erazo -also known as "Chuíto el de Bayamón"- one of the island's most successful folk singers, and Daniel Santos. Later in his life, would have the honor of recording songs with both artists.
Héctor attended the local Juan Morel Campos Public School of Music where the saxophone was the first instrument he learned to play. Among his classmates were Jose Febles and multi-instrumentalist Papo Lucca. Jose Febles wrote most of the horn charts for "Rican-Struction", considered by many to be the best album to ever come out of the New York Salsa scene. One of his teachers would strictly demand good diction, stage presence and manners from him (something that suited him well later on), claiming that as a bolero singer, Héctor would become a superstar. By the age of 14, however, Héctor dropped out of school and sang with a ten-piece band. moved permanently to New York on May 3, 1963. It would take many more years before Héctor was able to reconcile with his father.
Arrival in New York City
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 "Spanish Harlem." Héctor was disappointed in the condition of El Barrio which contrasted with his vision of "fancy Cadillacs, tall marble skyscrapers and tree-lined 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 García, a fellow musician and childhood friend, to a rehearsal of a newly formed sextet playing the romantic bolero Tus Ojos. The lead vocalist, who was singing off key, and as a gesture of goodwill, Lavoe showed the vocalist how it was supposed to sound. Impressed with his dynamic voice and stage personality, the group offered him the spot of lead vocalist, which he accepted.
Later in his career, he joined othermore well known groups in the genre, including 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."[need citation]
The album's success significantlytransforms 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.
Later years
With newly found success, Héctor, like many successful artists of his time such as Judy Garland, La Lupe, and Billie Holliday, became severly addicted to narcotic and prescription drugs. His addiction resulted in him showing up late for gigs, and eventually did not even show up to some appointments at all. Although Willie fired him, he tried to help Lavoe seek assistance to try to quit his habit.
In 1973, Willie Colón departed the band. Lavoe was giving the option of keeping the band together by becoming leader of his own band, which he did. 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 who went by the name of Shakti. Shatki eventually became his benefactor providing him with spiritual and metaphysical wellbeing. 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. With a new found spirituality, Hector eventually reconciled with his father when he finally visited his father who received him with open arms.
Despite his success, Héctor's life 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. He was first buried in a bruial plot in Saint Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx (which ironically is the burial place of both La Lupe and Billie Holiday; until 2002 Lavoe's grave was within walking distance from La Lupe's), however in June 2002 the bodies of both Lavoe and his son (who died in 1987) were exhumed per his family's request. They were later reinterred in his native Ponce, along with his wife Nilda who passed away a few weeks prior to the burial.
Lavoe's spirit and legacy still lives on. He is one of the few Latin artists to have his life filmed into two biopics. Both films, which will be released in 2006 are produced by two of the most prominent celebrities in the musical genre. El Cantante will star salsa superstar Marc Anthony as Lavoe, and film icon (and also's Anthony's wife in real life), Jennifer Lopez as Hector's wife, Nilda (also known as "Puchi" by close friends).
Meanwhile, singer La India is producing her own biopic of Lavoe's wife with actor Raul Carbonell in the lead role. The Singer (which is a literal English translation of the first biopic) will be released in 2006 as well.
Besides these films, an off-Broadway production of his life title Quien Mato a Hector Lavoe? ("Who Killed Hector Lavoe?) was a huge success in the late 1990s. IT starred singer Domingo Quiñones in the lead role.
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Héctor Lavoe Lyrics
Abuelita Recordando a mi abuelita Los refranes que ella decнa me hacн…
Aguanile Aguanile, aguanile Santo Dios, santo fuerte, santo inmortal…
Ah ah o no Dices que me quieres Se que no puede ser Pero cuando tu…
Ah,ah,no Ah ah, Oh No (Autor:?) (Canta: Héctor Lavoe) Dices que me q…
ah-ah / o-no Dices que me quieres Se que no puede ser Pero cuando tu…
Aires De Navidad Ya van a empezar las fiestas Las fiestas de navidad…
Alejate Aléjate de mi no quiero verte tu amor es una farsa…
Amor Soñado Ay mujer como ha sido mi vida Ay mujer tanto tiempo…
Ausencia Ha terminado otro capítulo en mi vida La mujer que…
Bandolera Quien dice una mentira dice dos Y dice cien, se inventa…
Barrunto Barrunto en mi corazón, Presentimiento De que pronto llegará…
Borinquen Borinquen te quiero Porque en ti nací Y en ti fue que…
Calle Luna Calle Sol Mete la mano en el bolsillo saca y abre tu cuchillo…
Cancer Coro: Todo a tí te da cáncer, Todo a tí te da…
Canto a Borinquen Borinquen te quiero Porque en ti nací Y en ti fue que…
Castigo Por quй la quise Seсor, Si no fuн correspondido? Porque le…
Che Che Cole Vamos todos a bailar al estilo africano si no lo sabes baila…
Comedia Si pides el cielo Lo pondré a tus pies Frases…
Como No Voy a Llorar "Plena" Llorar, llorar, llorar, cómo no voy a llorar cómo s…
Conejo De Oro Yo era un muchachito cuando murió mi viejo Fue tanta la…
Cuando Cuando Cuando Tell me when will you be mine Tell me quando quando…
De Que Tamaño De que tamaño es tu amor, Cuanto vale para mi si…
De Que Tamano Es Tu Amor Oye mamita, óyeme, uh ¿De qué tamaño es tu amor? ¿Cuánto va…
De Ti Depende Enamorado estoy de un imposible Confunde mi pensar la vana e…
Déjala Que Siga Paruwa paravarevareve Paruwa paravarevareve Pareruwan parero…
Del Dia De Suerte Pronto llegará El día de mi suerte Sé que antes de…
El Cantante Yo, soy el cantante Que hoy han venido a escuchar Lo mejor,…
el dÃa de mi suerte Pronto llegará El día de mi suerte Sé que antes de…
El día de mi suerte Coro: Pronto llegara, El dia de mi suerte Sé que antes de mi…
El Dia de Suelte Pronto llegará El día de mi suerte Sé que antes de…
El Infierno Tu... Que cambiastes La ruta de mi vida Tu... Que curaste El…
El Malo No hay problema en el barrio Que quien se llama…
El Retrato De Mama Bien hermano vine a verte no es para pedirte nada si aunque…
El Rey de la Punctualidad Nosotros somos buenos compañeros Con mucho gusto le vamo'a …
El Sabio Por quй te la das de sabio Si yo conosco tu…
El Son Te canto un son Borincano Que viene de monte adentro Para te…
El Todopoderoso Ay, como lo escupieron cómo lo empujaron Cómo lo llevaron a…
Ella Mintio Ella mintió Ella dijo que me amaba y no era verdad Ella…
Emborrachame De Amor No me preguntes que me pasa Tal vez yo mismo no…
En El Fiando Coro: En el fiando, en el fiando compro lo que quiera y…
Escarcha Con la misma frialdad que tú me das que me hace…
Escarchas Con la misma frialdad que tu me das, que me hace…
Esta Navidad Hay jíbaros que al llegar De los Estados Unidos Ellos miran …
Felices Horas Las horas que a tu lado yo pasaba Eran las horas…
Guisando Señores voy a contarles lo que le pasó a Vicente El…
Hacha Y Machete Seguro firme y decidido Buscando u na mejor sonoridad Agrupa…
Isla Del Encanto Cuando la luna cae sobre tus palmeras Y en tus playas…
Juana Peña Ella era una mujer Que a mucho hombres había engañado Pero u…
Juanito Alimaña La calle es una selva de cemento Y de fieras…
Juventud Yo quisiera tener, Unos aсos menos Para hacerte sufrir Lo q…
La Banda Llegó la banda tocando salsa Para que entren en la bachata …
La Fama Yo soy la fama soy tristeza y sonrisa pagada que con dinero…
La Murga Vamos a bailar La Murga La Murga de Panamá Los muchachos se…
La Parranda Fania Coro: Agarra el cuatro y el gьiro Que ya es tiempo de…
La Retirada La distancia entre los dos Es cada dнa mбs grande De tu…
La Verdad A la le le Cuando me miras Que es lo que…
La vida Es Bonita Yo canto las canciones Que los pueblos necesitan Y les digo …
Llore Ayer llore por tu ausencia sintiendo en el alma un profundo…
Lo Deje Llorando Lo dejé llorando lo dejé, lo deje llorando. Como yo me…
Loco Porque soy así me llaman loco, nadie sabe mi dolor es que me…
Medley Mi Gente/A Las Seis aqui esta el cantante de los cantantes yo ri po (sube nene…
Mentira Salomé no está llorando Los martirios de sus penas Es mentir…
Mi Gente Mi Gente Mi gente ¡Ustedes! Lo más grande de este mundo Sie…
Mr. Brownie Ou lelolay leloley, ou lelolay lelolea everybody is very hap…
Mucho Amor Aquí ya tienes el amor que prefieres Aquí ya tienes el…
No Hay Quien Te Aguante Después que te traté como una reina Te di mi corazón…
Noche De Farra Salimo en noche de fiesta a bailar y nos fuimos a…
Pa' Colombia Barranquilla, Cartagena Medellín y Bogotá. Barranquilla, Car…
Panameña Coro: Panameña Panameña que buena está... Panameña Paname…
Para Ochum Coro: Para Ochun y Yemaya, Para Ochun y Yemaya. ~ Eh Yemaya,…
Paraiso De Dulzura ¿Qué de adónde vengo? ¿Que pa' dónde voy ? ¿Qué de adónde…
Pasé La Noche Fumando Ya me pase fumando la noche entera, sin disipar tu imagen…
Periodico De Ayer Tu amor es un periódico de ayer Que nadie más procura…
Piraña "Que es lo que pasa que el piso no arranca, mujer…
Plato De Segunda Mesa Pero tu amor apunto muy alto Por eso fue que…
Plazos Traicioneros Cada vez que te digo lo que siento Tu siempre me…
Pobre Del Pobre Te vas a casar Queriendome a mi No tuve dinero Pa'verte comp…
Ponce "La Perla del Sur" Ponce, ciudad señorial donde la naturale…
Porque No Puedo Ser Feliz ¿Por qué? Si he pensado solamente en los dos Y he renunciado…
Porque Te Conocí? Sin habernos conocido previamente Al mirarnos no hizo falta …
Que Bien Te Ves "Homenaje a Chuito" Quien te ve a tí caminando por la calle…
QUE LIO Qué problema, caballero En el que me encuentro yo Decía Ramó…
Rompe Saraguey Con los santos no se juega, Con los santos no se…
Seguire Mi Viaje Ya... todo lo llenas tú yo no soy nada en ti,…
Sin Explicaciones No necesito cariсo Que me digas Si no quieres mirarme No nec…
Skit: Mi gente Mi Gente Mi gente ¡Ustedes! Lo más grande de este mundo Sie…
Sombra nadas mas Quisiera abrir lentamente mis venas mi sangre toda verterla …
Soñando Despierto Estuve soñando Que ya tú habías vuelto Que me perdonabas Qué…
Songoro Cosongo Ay negra, si tu supieras Que anoche te ví pasar Y no…
Soy Vagabundo Vagabundeando voy, soy vagabundo Por no encontrar en este mu…
Tanto Como Ayer Por qué, tanto me hieres sin saber por qué ? ¿Por…
Taxi Lléveme al número trece de la calle tristeza, esquina agonía…
Te Conozco Yo te conozco bacalao No vengas con pugilatos, Que tu vienes…
Tiempos Pasados Tiempos pasados Que nunca volverán Fue como un sueño O…
Timbalero Timbalero, prepárate Timbalero, no pierdas tiempo Pronto lle…
Todo Signe Su Final Todo tiene su final, nada dura para siempre Tenemos que reco…
Triste Y Vacía Ella va triste y vacía Llorando una traición con amargura Po…
Triste y vacia Ella va triste y vacia llorando una traicion con amargura …
Tú Bien lo sabes Tu Bien Lo Sabes (Canta: Héctor Lavoe) Tú bien lo sabes que…
Tus Ojos Hoy mire tus ojos, Tus ojos tan lindos, tus ojos…
U-Bla-Ba-Du Yo soy, ublabadu Tu eres, ubladuba Mira nosotros, ublabaremo…
Ublabadu Yo soy, ublabadu Tú eres, ubladuba Mira nosotros, ublabaremo…
Un Amor De La Calle Creí que eras distinta Creí que eras sincera Y te…
Una Pena En Navidad Lelolelo lelolai... Soy errante solitario que camina sin co…
Vamos A Reir Un Poco Esta risa no es de loco Se están riendo de mi Me…
Vieja Carta Hoy nuevamente tengo en mis manos la vieja carta que hace…
Vigilante A veces la moral y la ley no están de…
Yo Ta Cansa Pa que tu quie niña Teresa que yo vaya pal matorral si…
¿De Qué Tamaño Es Tu Amor Oye mamita, óyeme, uh ¿De qué tamaño es tu amor? ¿Cuánto va…
¿Por Qué No Puedo Ser Feliz ¿Por qué? si he pensado solamente en los dos y he renunciado…
¿Por Qué Te Conocí? Sin habernos conocido previamente Al mirarnos no hizo falta…