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.
El Rey De La Puntualidad
Héctor Lavoe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Con mucho gusto le vamo'a presentar
A un cantante que lo hemos coronado
Como el rey de la puntualidad
A un cantante que lo hemos coronado
Como el rey de la puntualidad
Ya nos dieron la señal que el hombre por fin llegó
Ahora queda con ustedes
El cantante de los cantantes
Con ustedes Héctor Lavoe
Yo soy Héctor Lavoe
Cinco ocho de estatura
Miren qué musculatura
Miren qué linda figura
La verdad que yo me veo bien
Yo seguiré mi vaivén
Cantando con sabrosura
Siempre estaré con ustedes, mi gente
Hasta que a mí me lleven
En contra de mi voluntad
Que me lleven a mi sepultura
Por mi madre que es la última vez que llego, tarde
Tu gente quiere oír tu voz sonora
Nosotros solo queremos que llegues a la hora
Aquí están equivocados si se los digo como un hermano
Yo no soy quien llega tarde, ustedes llegan muy temprano
Tu gente quiere oír tu voz sonora
Nosotros solo queremos que llegues a la hora
Y ustedes me critican con eso de llegar tarde
Pero mi gente se da cuenta que yo llego con bonito maquillaje
Tu gente quiere oir tu voz sonora
Nosotros solo queremos que llegues a la hora
Ustedes siempre me critican, dejen esa bobería
Miren bien de arriba a abajo, que yo soy estuche de monería
Tu gente quiere oír tu voz sonora
Nosotros solo queremos que llegues a la hora
Antes era bien bandido, ahora todos han prendido
Ven que llego temprano y dicen qué cambio el muchacho ha tenido
Tu gente quiere oír tu voz sonora
Nosotros solo queremos que llegues a la hora
Tu gente quiere oír tu voz sonora
Nosotros sólo queremos que llegues a la hora
Ahora pa' complacerlos, se los digo de a verdad
La próxima vez que llegue, voy a llegar en puntualidad
Tu gente quiere oír tu voz sonora
Nosotros solo queremos que llegues a la hora
A la la la la la la, que cante mi gente
Si en un tiempo se los dije, yo de pecho y bien de frente
Tu gente quiere oír tu voz sonora
Nosotros solo queremos que llegues a la hora
Ya son las 12 y no llega, hará lo mismo que ayer
Espera, espera y no viene; espera la gente, lo quieren ver
Tu gente quiere oír tu voz sonora
Nosotros solo queremos que llegues a la hora
Que cante y siga adelante el cantante de los cantantes
Ahora vengo de frente, bien caliente voy pa' 'elante
Que cante y siga adelante el cantante de los cantantes
Así me llama la gente, siempre vengo con el plante
Que cante y siga adelante el cantante de los cantantes
A veces yo llego tarde si es que no tengo quien de la cama me levante
Que cante y siga adelante el cantante de los cantantes
Si me levanto por el otro lao', no me quedo en casa ni me voy pa' ningún lao'
Que cante y siga adelante el cantante de los cantantes
The song "El Rey De La Puntualidad" by Hector Lavoe and the Fania All Stars is about the importance of punctuality, and how being on time is essential for a successful career, especially for a musician. The opening lyrics introduce the singer as the "king of punctuality" and express that he is a good companion, implying that being punctual is a desirable trait for both personal and professional relationships.
The song continues with Lavoe introducing himself, boasting about his height, muscles, and good looks. He then addresses the criticism he receives for being late, reminding his audience that they are the ones who come too early and must wait for him, not the other way around. Throughout the song, Lavoe uses humor and charm to deflect any negative comments about his lack of punctuality, promising to be on time in the future while lamenting the difficulty of getting out of bed in the morning.
Overall, "El Rey De La Puntualidad" is an upbeat and catchy song that highlights the struggles of being a musician and the importance of punctuality in any profession. It's a testament to Lavoe's charisma and talent as a performer, as he is able to turn a simple topic like punctuality into an entertaining and engaging song.
Line by Line Meaning
Nosotros somos buenos compañeros
We are good companions
Con mucho gusto le vamo'a presentar
With great pleasure we're going to introduce
A un cantante que lo hemos coronado
To a singer that we have crowned
Como el rey de la puntualidad
As the king of punctuality
Ya nos dieron la señal que el hombre por fin llegó
They've signaled that the man has finally arrived
Ahora queda con ustedes
Now it is up to you
El cantante de los cantantes
The singer of all singers
Con ustedes Héctor Lavoe
Here is Hector Lavoe for you
Yo soy Héctor Lavoe
I am Hector Lavoe
Cinco ocho de estatura
Five-eight in height
Miren qué musculatura
Look at my muscles
Miren qué linda figura
Look at my nice figure
La verdad que yo me veo bien
The truth is that I look good
Yo seguiré mi vaivén
I will continue my rhythm
Cantando con sabrosura
Singing with flavor
Siempre estaré con ustedes, mi gente
I will always be with you, my people
Hasta que a mí me lleven
Until they take me away
En contra de mi voluntad
Against my will
Que me lleven a mi sepultura
Let them take me to my grave
Por mi madre que es la última vez que llego, tarde
I swear on my mother that this is the last time I arrive late
Tu gente quiere oír tu voz sonora
Your people want to hear your resounding voice
Nosotros solo queremos que llegues a la hora
We just want you to arrive on time
Aquí están equivocados si se los digo como un hermano
You are wrong if I tell you as a brother
Yo no soy quien llega tarde, ustedes llegan muy temprano
I am not the one who is late, you arrive very early
Pero mi gente se da cuenta que yo llego con bonito maquillaje
But my people notice that I arrive with nice makeup
Ustedes siempre me critican, dejen esa bobería
You always criticize me, leave that nonsense
Miren bien de arriba a abajo, que yo soy estuche de monería
Look at me from head to toe, I am a showy guy
Antes era bien bandido, ahora todos han prendido
Before I was a real wild guy, now everyone has caught on
Ven que llego temprano y dicen qué cambio el muchacho ha tenido
They see me arrive early and say what a change the boy has made
Ahora pa' complacerlos, se los digo de a verdad
Now, to please you, I'll tell you the truth
La próxima vez que llegue, voy a llegar en puntualidad
Next time I arrive, I'll arrive on time
A la la la la la la, que cante mi gente
La la la la la, let my people sing
Si en un tiempo se los dije, yo de pecho y bien de frente
If I told you before, it was from my heart and straight up
Ya son las 12 y no llega, hará lo mismo que ayer
It's already 12 and he hasn't arrived, he'll do the same as yesterday
Espera, espera y no viene; espera la gente, lo quieren ver
Wait, wait and he doesn't come; the people wait, they want to see him
Que cante y siga adelante el cantante de los cantantes
Let the singer of all singers sing and move forward
Ahora vengo de frente, bien caliente voy pa' 'elante
Now I come forward, very hot I go ahead
Así me llama la gente, siempre vengo con el plante
That's what people call me, I always come with the attitude
A veces yo llego tarde si es que no tengo quien de la cama me levante
Sometimes I arrive late if I don't have someone to wake me up
Si me levanto por el otro lao', no me quedo en casa ni me voy pa' ningún lao'
If I get up on the other side, I don't stay at home or go anywhere
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Johnny Pacheco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juanjoselopez4525
EL REY DE LA PUNTUALIDAD
Nosotros somos buenos compañeros, con mucho gusto les vamo a presentar
a un cantante que lo hemos coronado, como el rey de la puntualidad
a un cantante que lo hemos coronado, como el rey de la puntualidad.
Ya nos dieron la señal, el hombre por fin llego
Ya nos dieron la señal, el hombre por fin llego
Ahora queda con ustedes, el cantante de los cantantes
con ustedes Héctor Lavoe.
Yo soy Héctor Lavoe, 58 de estatura
Miren que musculatura, Miren que linda figura
La verdad que yo me veo bien...
Yo seguiré en mi vaivén, Cantando con sabrosura
Siempre estaré con ustedes... MI GENTE!!!
Hasta que a mi me lleve, en contra de mi voluntada
Me lleven a mi sepultura...´
(POR MI MADRE QUE ESTA ES LA ULTIMA VEZ QUE LLEGO... TARDE)
1.- TU GENTE QUIERE, OIR TU VOZ SONORA...
NOSOTROS SOLO QUEREMOS, QUE LLEGUES A LA HORA
Aquí están equivocados si se lo digo como un hermano,
yo no soy quien llega tarde, ustedes llegan muy temprano
(1.-)
Y Ustedes me critican con eso de llegar tarde
Pero mi gente se da cuenta que yo vengo con bonito maquillaje
(1.-)
Ustedes siempre me critican, deje esa bobería
Miren bien de arriba abajo, creo que soy estuche de monería
(1.-)
Ante era bien bandido, ahora todos sorprendido
Pero es que llego temprano y dice que cambio el muchacho ha tenido
(1.-)
TROMP.
(1.-)
Ahora pa` complacerlos, se lo digo de a verdad
La próxima vez que llegue, voy a llegar en puntualidad
(1.-)
Alalalalala... que cante mi gente
Si en un tiempo se los dije, yo defecto y en de frente
(1.-)
Ya son las doce y no llega, hara lo mismo que ayer
Espera, espera y no viene, pero la gente lo quieren ver (a el bravoooo)
TROMP.
2.- QUE CANTE Y SIGA A DELANTE, EL CANTANTE DE LOS CANTANTES
(2.-)
Ahora vengo de frente y en caliente voy pa lante
(2.-)
Asi me llama la gente siempre vengo con el plante
(2.-)
A veces yo llego tarde si es que no tengo quien de la cama me levante
(2.-)
Si me levanto por el otro lao no me quedo en casa ni me voy pa ningún lao
(2.-)
@elmundodecesaryalfredo9210
en plena pandemia con este coronavirus, quien escuchando al cantante de los cantantes ?, UN LIKE POR ACÁ
@MariaGonzalez-sc2rm
no hay que esperar una situacion tan critica de virus para escuchar al rey de los cantantes el gran la voe, lo maximo siempre viajaba a cualquier sitio donde el cantara en el pasado para tener el honor de escucharlo, saludos desde cali colombia
@kathlinsaavedralopez1725
Turra
@erickreyes7949
Nov - 2020 !!!!
@eviercolon6696
Te amaba.Tu voz y tu locura me fascinaba.Descanza en paz.
@hamiltonstarlingrosariojos9216
No puedo creer que este comentario ya tenga un año
@user-zx1ys1ut3w
Todas las mañanas para ir al trabajo, siempre escucho este temasa, me hace recordar a mi familia en lima Perú, ya que ando lejos, que viva la salsa mi gente
@ivandonaldzapatamaza6686
Yo no soy el que llega tarde ustedes llegan muy temprano. Clásica frase en la secundaria cuando llegaba tarde jaja. Desde Morropon-Perú escuchando al bravo al cantante de los cantantes. 🍺🍻
@ljpm4211
🇵🇪🇵🇪👍👍👍
@evelynmancilla240
La unica vez que hector llego muy temprano demasiado,fue a su cita con el creador.que descanse en paz el cantante de los cantantes.