Ismael Rivera
Ismael Rivera also known as "El Sonero Mayor" (The Premiere Improviser) (Oc… Read Full Bio ↴Ismael Rivera also known as "El Sonero Mayor" (The Premiere Improviser) (October 5, 1931 – May 13, 1987), was a renowned composer and singer of salsa music.
Rivera, nicknamed "Maelo", born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, was the first of five children born to Luis and Margarita Rivera. His father, Luis, was a carpenter and his mother a housewife. As a child, Rivera was always singing and banging on cans with sticks. He received his primary education at the Pablo G. Goyco elementary school and then went on to learn carpentry at a vocational school. He shined shoes to help his family financially and when he was 16 years old, he worked as a carpenter. During his free time he would hang around the corner with his best friend Rafael Cortijo and sing songs.
In 1948, Rivera and Cortijo joined El Conjunto Monterrey, where Rivera played the conga and Cortijo the bongos. Rivera was unable to work full-time as a musician, due to the fact that he worked as a carpenter.
In 1952, Rivera joined the U.S. Army but, was quickly discharged as he didn't speak English. When he returned to Puerto Rico he went to work with the Panamerican Orchestra, thanks to the recommendation of his friend Cortijo. Rivera recorded and scored his first "hits" with the songs "El Charlatan", "La Vieja en Camisa" (The Old Lady in a Shirt) and "La Sazon de Abuela". However, an incident between Rivera and another band member over a girl, led to his departure from the band.
Cortijo's Combo continued to gain fame and so did Rivera's reputation as a lead singer. Benny More visited the island and was impressd with Rivera's voice, he baptized Rivera "El Sonero Mayor" (The Premiere Improviser). The band went to New York City and played in the famed Palladium Ballroom, where the orchestras of Tito Rodriguez, Tito Puente and Charlie Palmieri also played.
In 1959, Rivera, together with Cortijo and his Combo, participated in the European produced movie titled "Calipso", starring Harry Belafonte. He traveled with Cortijo's Combo, which also included Rafael Ithier and Roberto Roena, to Europe, Central and South America. Rivera was suspected of being involved with an illegal drug transaction during a trip to Panama. He was arrested upon his arrival to Puerto Rico, convicted and sentenced to jail. This event led to the break-up of Cortijo's Combo. Shortly after, Rafael Ithier, regrouped some of the former members and formed El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.
Upon his release from jail, Rivera formed his own band called Ismael Rivera and his Cachimbos. The successful band lasted for eight years. Rivera reunited with Cortijo and recorded "Juntos Otra Vez" (Together Again). Later, Rivera went solo and did well with the recordings of "El Sonero Mayor" and "Volare (salsa style)". He was to score his greatest "hit" with "Las Cara Lindas (De Mi Gente Negra)" (The Pretty Faces (Of My Black People) written by Tite Curet Alonso. One of his last public performances was in Paris, as an opener for Bob Marley in 1979.[3]
The death of his childhood friend, Rafael Cortijo in 1982, affected him emotionally to the point that he couldn't sing in the tribute to Cortijo celebrated at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. Rivera was actively involved in the creation of a historical museum which depicts the contributions made to the cultural life of Puerto Rico by the black Puerto Ricans.
Rivera was a faithful pilgrim of the Black Christ procession in Portobelo, Panama, from 1975 to 1985,
and even wrote a song about the Black Christ, known affectionately as "El Nazareno".
Ismael Rivera died on May 13, 1987 in the arms of his mother Margarita, from a heart attack. Celia Cruz recorded a tribute to Ismael Rivera and so did Dario y su ComboRican. On September 27, 2001, the Puerto Rican Senate approved the law #134 declaring October 5 as "Ismael Rivera Day". In Villa Palmeras, Santurce, Puerto Rico, there is a plaza named "Plaza de los Salseros" which has a statue and plaque dedicated to Ismael.
Rivera, nicknamed "Maelo", born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, was the first of five children born to Luis and Margarita Rivera. His father, Luis, was a carpenter and his mother a housewife. As a child, Rivera was always singing and banging on cans with sticks. He received his primary education at the Pablo G. Goyco elementary school and then went on to learn carpentry at a vocational school. He shined shoes to help his family financially and when he was 16 years old, he worked as a carpenter. During his free time he would hang around the corner with his best friend Rafael Cortijo and sing songs.
In 1948, Rivera and Cortijo joined El Conjunto Monterrey, where Rivera played the conga and Cortijo the bongos. Rivera was unable to work full-time as a musician, due to the fact that he worked as a carpenter.
In 1952, Rivera joined the U.S. Army but, was quickly discharged as he didn't speak English. When he returned to Puerto Rico he went to work with the Panamerican Orchestra, thanks to the recommendation of his friend Cortijo. Rivera recorded and scored his first "hits" with the songs "El Charlatan", "La Vieja en Camisa" (The Old Lady in a Shirt) and "La Sazon de Abuela". However, an incident between Rivera and another band member over a girl, led to his departure from the band.
Cortijo's Combo continued to gain fame and so did Rivera's reputation as a lead singer. Benny More visited the island and was impressd with Rivera's voice, he baptized Rivera "El Sonero Mayor" (The Premiere Improviser). The band went to New York City and played in the famed Palladium Ballroom, where the orchestras of Tito Rodriguez, Tito Puente and Charlie Palmieri also played.
In 1959, Rivera, together with Cortijo and his Combo, participated in the European produced movie titled "Calipso", starring Harry Belafonte. He traveled with Cortijo's Combo, which also included Rafael Ithier and Roberto Roena, to Europe, Central and South America. Rivera was suspected of being involved with an illegal drug transaction during a trip to Panama. He was arrested upon his arrival to Puerto Rico, convicted and sentenced to jail. This event led to the break-up of Cortijo's Combo. Shortly after, Rafael Ithier, regrouped some of the former members and formed El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.
Upon his release from jail, Rivera formed his own band called Ismael Rivera and his Cachimbos. The successful band lasted for eight years. Rivera reunited with Cortijo and recorded "Juntos Otra Vez" (Together Again). Later, Rivera went solo and did well with the recordings of "El Sonero Mayor" and "Volare (salsa style)". He was to score his greatest "hit" with "Las Cara Lindas (De Mi Gente Negra)" (The Pretty Faces (Of My Black People) written by Tite Curet Alonso. One of his last public performances was in Paris, as an opener for Bob Marley in 1979.[3]
The death of his childhood friend, Rafael Cortijo in 1982, affected him emotionally to the point that he couldn't sing in the tribute to Cortijo celebrated at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. Rivera was actively involved in the creation of a historical museum which depicts the contributions made to the cultural life of Puerto Rico by the black Puerto Ricans.
Rivera was a faithful pilgrim of the Black Christ procession in Portobelo, Panama, from 1975 to 1985,
and even wrote a song about the Black Christ, known affectionately as "El Nazareno".
Ismael Rivera died on May 13, 1987 in the arms of his mother Margarita, from a heart attack. Celia Cruz recorded a tribute to Ismael Rivera and so did Dario y su ComboRican. On September 27, 2001, the Puerto Rican Senate approved the law #134 declaring October 5 as "Ismael Rivera Day". In Villa Palmeras, Santurce, Puerto Rico, there is a plaza named "Plaza de los Salseros" which has a statue and plaque dedicated to Ismael.
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Ismael Rivera Lyrics
Arrecotin arrecotan Arrecotín, arrecotán, ¿a la vera cuantos van? Arrecotín, arr…
Besito de Coco e te acabó (se te acabo), el amor que me…
Bilongo Yo estoy tan enamorao de la negra Tomasa que cuando se…
Bomba De Navidad Oye compa... Sabrosa Mami esto si es verdad que yo quie…
Bomba En Navidad Oye compa.... Sabrosa Mami esto si es verdad que yo quiero …
Borinqueneando Borinqueneando borinco Borinqueneando borinco Desde mi camp…
Cachita Óyeme Cachita, tengo una rumbita pa´que tu la bailes como…
Carimbo Pobre negro Carimbo. El negro Carimbo marcado fue con un…
Comedia En el gran escenario de la vida De tu reparto fatal…
Como Son Las Cosas ! Pero mira, que cosas! Coro: (Como son las cosas compay, c…
Controversia A mi me gusta cantar contigo cuando yo canto y me…
Cucala Cucala Cala, cúcala, cúcala Cúcala, cúcala, cuca, cúcala, que ella …
De Colores de colores de colores se visten los campos, en la primavera…
De Todas Maneras Rosas De todas maneras rosas para quien ya me olvid…
Dime Por Que Por qué razón dejaste Aquel amor divino Aquellas ilusiones D…
Dime porque Kid Abelha Meio Desligado Porque Não Eu? Quando ela cai n…
Duena De Mi Inspiracion donde esta mi mami, torturita no, dulzurita si, torturita no…
El Cumbanchero A cumba cumba cumba cumbanchero... A bongo bongo bongo bongo…
El Incomprendido Yo, yo, yo, yo Creo que voy, Solito a estar, Cuando me muera…
El Mesias Coro: Yo soy la luz que brilla en la inmensidad soy el…
El Nazareno Yo estaba en un vacilón yo estaba en un vacilón…
El Negro Bembon Yembele bembe, yembele bembe, yembele bembe Pobre negrito be…
El Negrón Bembón Yembele-bembe, yembele-bembe. pobre negrito bembón. Matarón…
El Niche Yo soy un niche que salí café con leche Me colé…
El Pañuelito Aquí van los recuerdos oye que de mis tristes amores por l…
El Que No Sufre No Vive Se me hace difícil expresar mis sentimientos A mi se me…
Ellos Se Juntan A Cortijo y su Combo hay que invitar porque toca sabroso…
Galera Tres Estan dando palos Golpes, bofetones Puños y empujones, Allá …
Hola Hola ¿Dime cómo estás, cuánto hace que no te veo Ya tu lo…
Incomprendido Yo, yo, yo, yo creo que voy, solito a estar, cuando me mu…
La cumbita Yo tento in ritmo que dice A la cumbala cumbita Pa que…
La Gata Montesa Mira quien viene ahí no lo puedo creer tremenda es…
La Oportunidad Quisiera amarte Como te amaba antes Pero tu lo quisistes Yo …
La Perla Guaguancó para La Perla De Puerto Rico La Perla La Perla Ca…
La Soledad A la la le -e-e-e-e-e-e, la la le... Y que un…
Las Recoge mi'jo Mira que vas pa' la calle Dile a Pancho Que me…
Las Caras Lindas alale alale alaleee alalele Las caras lindas de mi gente …
Las Tumbas Recoge mijo mira que vas pa' la calle dile a Pancho que m…
Lo Que Dijo La Gitana Le di la mano a una gitana ayer para saber de…
Mana Mana Maña con maña Pa′ subir la loma Que ya se pone el…
Maquino Landera (Chumba la candela, maquinolandera) (Chumba la candela, maqu…
Me Tienes Loco Requeteloco Pero como me gusta mamita Tu me estas volvien…
Mi Jaragual Amigo no presto mi caballo, ni a medias quiero sembrar maíz…
MI Música linda musica para ti, mi musica no queda ni a…
Mi Negrita Me Espera Es tarde, ya me voy, mi negrita me espera Hasta mañana,…
Mi Tia Maria Ave María, mi tía María Tremendo lío Mi tía María, guardaba…
Moliendo Café Cuando la tarde laquide se renace la sombra Ella y tu…
Navidad De Nuevo Oye compa.... Sabrosa Mami esto si es verdad que yo quiero …
Negro Bembon Yembele bembe, yembele bembe, yembele bembe Pobre negrito be…
No Soy Para Ti quien te dijo mami, salpica pa lla, quien te dijo a ti,…
Orgullosa Ecuahey! Está muy bien orgullosa no te te diré nada mas …
Para Mi Gente Oyelo mi gente! juega! Para mi gente traigo una pena Para l…
Perfume De Rosa Perfume de rosas tiene tu alma Bajo las palmeras murmura el…
Profesion Esperanza -OCER- ¿Qué haces hablando escoria? No conoces mi historia. …
Que Te Pasa A Ti Yo se que me van a juzgar me van me van…
Quitate de La Via Perico Quitate de la via perico no ve que ahi viene el…
Quitate De La Via Perico - Original Quitate de la via perico no ve que ahi viene el…
Quítate de la Vía, Perico Quítate de la vía perico Mira que allá viene el tren Quítat…
Salagente Porque llego el momento que yo esperaba para decirte la…
Sale el Sol Sale el sol Y no estas a mi lado Vivo desperado Esperando…
San Miguel Arcangel Yo tuve una revelaci…
Seis De Borinquen Ecua!! Vengo sabroso. Yo tengo un sabor a playa en este…
Severa Yo le vi, a Severa (Te vi la cara severa) Severa tenia…
Si No Te Veo Mas Oeh, oeh Oeh, oeh Oeh, oeh Oeh, oeh Te vas no me dices nada…
Si Te Cojo Mira mami, si te cojo coqueteando ver…
Si Yo Pudiera Si yo pudiera transformar a mi capricho La selva factil en…
Son Son Sonero ! Azuquita pa' San Serení, quema! San Serení me dijo que…
Soy Feliz Ya cantan lo ruiseñores Y ya se acerca denuevo el día Y…
Tambores Africanos Cuando siento los tambores africanos Con su ritmo misterioso…
Traigo De Todo Yo sí que traigo de todo soy el mago de la…
Traigo Salsa Ven con migo mi negrita si tu quieres guaracha ven…
Tus Flores Y Tu Pañuelo Aquí van los recuerdos Oye que de mis tristes amores Por la…
Volare Sometimes the world is a valley of heartaches and tears And…
Yo No Quiero Piedras En Mi Camino Yo no quiero piedras en mi camino No quiero mas Dejame ya Ve…
Yo No Quiero Que Te Enamores Tu mirada tiene un fulgor Que hace que me preocupe amor Yo…