According to the artist, the story behind this transition was unforgettable: “Between the age of 12 to about 15 and a half, more or less, I sang with a salsa band called Tempo Moderno. In 1973 we shared the stage with the orchestra of Eddie Palmieri. I summoned the courage to speak with the maestro and asked him to listen to me sing “Sabroso guaguancó”, a song that he had recorded in the 60’s. He listened and left. Six months passed and Palmieri returned to Puerto Rico to look for me. We made an agreement. I had a new audition and thus was born Lalo Rodriguez, although at that time I was known as Lolo. My name is Ubaldo. It was Palmieri, when he brought me into his orchestra, baptized me as Lalo”.
His first LP (long play) recording was in 1973 at age 16, with the Eddie Palmieri orchestra. That album was entitled The Sun of The Latin Music and won him his first Grammy. A year later, he recorded the song Un Puesto Vacante which appeared on his second album with Palmieri, Unfinished Masterpiece and is a good example of his style of salsa.
In 1980 Rodriguez decided to launch himself into the pop music world as a soloist. Simplemente Lalo, was his first LP album. Later, in 1982, he produced his album, Nuevamente Lalo and his string of hits continued with “Niño, el hombre que es soñador es loco”, in 1985, with a philosiphical theme that later inspired the production of his album, Punto y coma.
It was not until 1988 that Rodriguez realized his next album release, Un nuevo despertar, which marked his return to the artistic scene after four years without without a recording. His single, “Ven, devórame otra vez”, became a major hit, reaching the top of the charts in Panamá, Perú, Colombia, Venezuela and Spain. In that last country, his recording reached platinum and gold for sales of more 200,000 copies.
In Puerto Rico, Rodriguez realized the highest selling album in 1988 with “Un Nuevo Despertar”, reaching gold. In 1989 he received three important awards by the prestigeous Billboard magazine: Vocalist of the Year in the Tropical Music category; Song of the Year for “Ven, devórame otra vez”, and Best Record Production of the Year for his album, “Un nuevo despertar”.
At the very beginning of the 1990’s, Rodriguez performed several sold-out concerts in various venues throughout Spain; in La Coruña, Vigo, Bilbao and Madrid. It is notable that during those concerts he had the famous jazz musician, Quincy Jones, among his fans in the audience.
His discography in the 1990’s included such titles as Sexacional and Nací para cantar, with record labels such as TH Rodven y EMI Latin. In Spain he was the first “salsero” to reach gold and platinum for over 100,00o in unit sales in the Iberian peninsula.
Maximo Chamorro
Lalo Rodriguez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mi tierra la quiero mía!
" Los indios y campesinos, labradores y hacendados le dieron pan y camino y escondite reiterado.
Fue batalla de titanes Chamorro no daba tregua el capitán Sividades lo perdió por siete leguas.
Y llegando a la corralada se produjo la encerrona Máximo no recelaba, la milicia no perdona.
En vano el pueblo gritaba, intentando prevenirlo, ahí está la federala y el resto no hay que decirlo.
Y con todo y ser tan zorro Sividades aquel día cayo junto con Chamorro y todo el que le seguía.
Cayó junto con Chamorro y todo el que le seguía.
The song "Maximo Chamorro" by Lalo Rodriguez tells the story of a battle in the mountains led by Maximo Chamorro and his company of one hundred brave soldiers. They were confronted by the Federal forces, who arrived with their artillery. The lyrics describe the battle scenes, with blood flowing and Perico Díaz shouting "My land is mine!" while fighting alongside Maximo. The indigenous people, farmers, and landowners supported Maximo and his cause by providing shelter and food.
The fight was fierce, and Maximo remained relentless, with the Federal captain Sividades losing him and his troops by seven leagues. When Maximo and his followers reached the corralada, they were ambushed, and the Federal forces encircled them. Maximo was not afraid, but the people watching the battle tried to warn him about the Federal forces' presence. However, it was too late, and the Federal forces captured Maximo and his supporters.
The song highlights Maximo Chamorro's bravery as a warrior and leader who fought against the Federal forces, even though he knew what the consequences would be. The lyrics depict the harsh realities of war and the resilience of people who are willing to fight for their freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Cuando Máximo Chamorro, luchaba en la serranía con él fueron cien valientes formando la compañía
When Máximo Chamorro fought in the mountains, he had a hundred brave men fighting alongside him.
Vinieron los federales, portando su artillería yo vi por los matorrales como la sangre corría
The federal troops came with their artillery and I saw blood running through the bushes.
Con Máximo combatiendo, estaba Perico Díaz con un disparo diciendo "Mi tierra la quiero mía!"
While Máximo was fighting, Perico Díaz stood alongside him and declared he wanted his land for himself.
Los indios y campesinos, labradores y hacendados le dieron pan y camino y escondite reiterado.
Indigenous people, peasants, farmers, and landowners gave Máximo food, shelter, and constant hiding places.
Fue batalla de titanes Chamorro no daba tregua el capitán Sividades lo perdió por siete leguas.
It was a battle of giants and Chamorro never stopped fighting. Captain Sividades lost him over a span of seven leagues.
Y llegando a la corralada se produjo la encerrona Máximo no recelaba, la milicia no perdona.
Upon reaching the enclosure, they were ambushed. Máximo never suspected it, but the military never forgives.
En vano el pueblo gritaba, intentando prevenirlo, ahí está la federala y el resto no hay que decirlo.
The people shouted in vain, trying to prevent what they knew would happen. The federal troops were there, and the rest goes unsaid.
Y con todo y ser tan zorro Sividades aquel día cayó junto con Chamorro y todo el que le seguía.
Despite his cunning nature, Sividades fell that day along with Chamorro and all those who followed him.
Máximo Chamorro, guerrero que tanto vale Máximo Chamorro, retaste a los federales
Máximo Chamorro, a warrior of great worth. Máximo Chamorro, you challenged the federal troops.
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@angelmartis3295
Como los boricua nadie canta los mejores del mundo la salsa de borinken
@vernneyvillalobos2566
RIP Lalo Rodríguez.
@d.damianmercedes2956
Viva PR
@Keepler400
Rip tremendo cantante que se nos fue!
@Shuzcan61
FYI...Tremendo tema Lalo! Mis abuelos y sus vecinos pasaron por esa injusticia en Puerto Rico. Tengo la historia y sus pesadillas en mi corazón! No hay perdón. Amen
@ivanmaldonado7440
QDEP, Lalo Rodrigez 🇵🇷
@zenithgarcia
Gracias . Por compartir me sacaste de la depre
@carlosvergara3435
Que viva la salsa carajo respalda tus raices puertorras! 🇵🇷😘😜😜😎😉
@luisvega4631
Z z
@chaschilabenn1310
tremendo clásico. tiempos de oro de la salsa. Puerto Rico tierra de grandes estrellas de salsa cantantes y músicos.