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.
Rompe Saraguey
Héctor Lavoe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Con los santos no se juega
Date un baсo tienes que hacerte
Una limpieza con rompe saraguey.
Rompe Sraaguey
Ay que rompe saraguey.
Y si se juega ten cuidao.
Oye esas cosas se respetan.
Amalia, Amalia, Amalia, Amalia.
Anda y rompe saraguey.
No juegues si tu no sabes.
Que daсo te puedes hacer.
Saraguey Rompe
Anda y rompe saraguey.
Eh, con dulzura tu lo ves.
Saraguey rompe, rompe saraguey.
Ay con lo que no sabes no se juega.
Y si juegas te cuidao.
Eh, rompe rompe rompe saraguey.
Que rompe todo lo malo.
Ten cuidao y tu vas aver.
Respeta si tu no sabes.
Oye y respetame bien.
Rompe saraguey.
Anda y rompe y tu va ver.
The lyrics to Héctor Lavoe's song Rompe Saraguey are about respecting the spirits and not taking them for granted. The repeated phrase "Con los santos no se juega" translates to "You don't play with the saints," emphasizing the importance of respecting spiritual traditions. The song also talks about the idea of cleansing oneself with the use of rompe saraguey, a herb known for its cleansing properties in Afro-Caribbean religions.
The song reminds the listener to be careful when playing with spiritual forces because it can have consequences. The repetition of the phrase "Rompe saraguey" emphasizes the need for cleansing and protection from negative energies. The use of the name "Amalia" could refer to the spirit of the herb, as it is believed to have a spiritual presence in some cultures.
Overall, the lyrics serve as a reminder to respect spiritual traditions and not take them lightly. The use of rompe saraguey and the phrase "Con los santos no se juega" urge listeners to take care with their actions when it comes to spiritual matters.
Line by Line Meaning
Con los santos no se juega,
Do not mess with the saints. They are to be respected.
Con los santos no se juega
Do not mess with the saints. They are to be respected.
Date un baсo tienes que hacerte
Take a bath and cleanse yourself.
Una limpieza con rompe saraguey.
Cleanse yourself with the herb Rompe Saraguey.
Ay que rompe saraguey.
Oh, the herb Rompe Saraguey.
Con los santos no se juega.
Do not mess with the saints. They are to be respected.
Y si se juega ten cuidao.
And if you do, be careful.
Oye esas cosas se respetan.
Hey, these things are to be respected.
Amalia, Amalia, Amalia, Amalia.
Name being called out, possibly referencing someone who needs to cleanse themselves.
Anda y rompe saraguey.
Go and cleanse yourself with the herb Rompe Saraguey.
No juegues si tu no sabes.
Do not play around if you are not knowledgeable.
Que daсo te puedes hacer.
You can cause yourself harm.
Saraguey Rompe
The herb Rompe Saraguey.
Anda y rompe saraguey.
Go and cleanse yourself with the herb Rompe Saraguey.
Eh, con dulzura tu lo ves.
Approach it gently.
Saraguey rompe, rompe saraguey.
Rompe Saraguey breaks down negativity.
Ay con lo que no sabes no se juega.
Do not play around with what you do not know.
Y si juegas te cuidao.
And if you do play, be careful.
Eh, rompe rompe rompe saraguey.
Break down all negativity with Rompe Saraguey.
Que rompe todo lo malo.
It breaks down all evil.
Ten cuidao y tu vas aver.
Be careful, or you will see.
Respeta si tu no sabes.
Respect it if you do not know.
Oye y respetame bien.
Hey, respect me well.
Rompe saraguey.
Rompe Saraguey.
Anda y rompe y tu va ver.
Go and cleanse yourself with Rompe Saraguey and you will see the effects.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: VIRGILIO GONZALEZ SIABA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RobertoMartinez-zy7jc
Bomberito zarzuela era un monstruo, todos los que grabaron ese número,eran de otro planeta. Personalmente considero a Marcolino el que inventó salsa, el hizo la Fania cuando configuro la banda de Wliie Colón. Y todo es que conozca esto está en mi tiempo. Rompe zaraguei es por mucho uno de los mejores números de todos los tiempos y el arreglo de Marc insuperable. Tengo 70 años y tuve la dicha de ser amigo personal de Héctor y de Marcorino. Soy dichoso
@arturoanguloramirez1501
De acuerdo contigo el mejor tema de Hecticor.
@gustavopuchi1056
Que bendición, saludos desde Venezuela yo tengo 21 años y esta canción es mi favorita no solo de salsa, de mis favoritas y ya. Mi padre solo pone LA FANIA y los grandes desde que tengo memoria en cada domingo de parrilla. Saludos desde isla de Margarita. Venezuela
@johansebastianmartinezbrit7479
Muy dichoso
@EduardoCespedestorres
Previlegio
@Luca72
Saludos maestro. Usted no solo sabe. ...fue testigo!!
@akokiho
Una de las canciones con mayor calidad de todos los tiempos en la historia de la música latina. El piano, el bajo, los coros limpios y la voz de Lavoe. Para qué más? No sé cómo hay IDIOTAS que le dan no me gusta a esta joya.
@11muedeguadian
Si verdad
@joseluisfloresdavila3166
A mí.manera de ver es una super canción que no pasa de moda y se baila muy bien este son montuno
@aidagomez8248
X que no saben de musica....neofitas