Early life
Ray (born "Ricardo Maldonado") was born in Brooklyn, New York City of Puerto Rican parents. They lived in Hoyt Street. Ray's father, Pacifico Maldonado, was an accomplished guitarist in his native Bayamón, and as such was the Maldonado family's early musical influence.
Ray's parents had him take lessons and he started to play the piano when he was only seven years old. His life-long partnership with Bobby Cruz started five years later in 1957 when Ray played bass in a group led by Cruz. This combination was the beginning of one the greatest salsa duos in the salsa music industry.
He attended the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, the famed High School of Performing Arts, and the Juilliard School of Music. This experience served to further develop and refine his musical training. In addition, he became well versed in various Latin music genres which were popular at that time the Guajira, the Cha-cha-cha, the Bolero and others.
[edit] Musical career
Ray left Juilliard in 1963, after just one year. He made this choice so that he could get organized and dedicate himself to his own band. This was a year after Cruz joined in as the lead vocalist. In 1964, he signed with Fonseca Records and released his debut album, Ricardo Ray Arrives-Comején. The album included the outstanding hit songs "Mambo Jazz", "Comején", "Viva Richie Ray", "El Mulato", "Suavito", "Pa' Chismoso Tú" and the bolero-cha "Si Te Contaran". The famous pair recorded some of their finest work during the period that they were with the Fonseca label.
In 1966 The group switched to the Alegre label, coinciding with the arrival of the boogaloo, Ray recorded nine albums with Alegre. He was a part of Tico/Alegre Records until 1970, and during that time he produce such hits as "Richies Jala Jala", "Mr. Trumpet Man", "Señor Embajador", "Aguzate" (Gold Record Award winner), "Amparo Arrebato", "Traigo De Todo", and the Spanish version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way", called "A Mi Manera". This song went on to be the most radio played Spanish version of "My Way" during 1970; the song also won the duo a Gold Record Award.
While with Alegre, Ray also recorded two albums for UA Latino. These included "Viva Ricardo" and "El Diferente" (Gold Record Award winner). The band scored a number one hit with the song "Colorín Colorado", while "El Diferente", "Feria En Manizales" and "Ay, Compay!", became number one hits in Latin America.
In 1968, Ray and Cruz had been together professionally for five years, had written most of their songs together, and for the first time in the album Los Durísimos, they shared equal billing in an album cover. This album had such hits as "Agallú", "Pancho Cristal", "Adasa", and "Yo Soy (Babalú)". Since then the band became officially known as Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz.
[edit] The 1970s
In 1970, Ray and Cruz left New York and moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for professional and personal reasons. They opened a nightclub, but managing it required too much of their time. Shortly after, they decided to sell the establishment to focus on their artistic commitments. That same year, Ray and Cruz signed with the new Vaya Records label, a subsidiary of Fania Records.
In 1971, they released "El Bestial Sonido de Ricardo Ray y Bobby Cruz", the first ever release on Vaya Records, and was one of their better albums on that label. The album went gold, and it took them to the top of the charts once again. It included hits such as Juan Manuel Serrat's "Señora", the bolero version of the Gardel/Lepera tango "Volver", and the Rubén Blades composition "Guaguancó Triste", as well as the salsa version of James Taylor's "Fire And Rain". This album also included his most impressive and well-known hit called "Sonido Bestial", which has a Latin-flavoured arrangement of Chopin's Etude 10/12, and is considered a classic masterpiece of salsa music.
In 1974 The Dynamic Duo won the title "The Kings Of Salsa" at the "Coliseo Roberto Clemente" in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For a period of 12 hours, 24 bands had competed for the coveted title, and Ray and Cruz emerged triumphant. Contracts started to pour in, requests for interviews and TV appearances, and even movie offers.
[edit] Born-again Christian
All of these things spoke of success, but Ray suffered strong emotional problems during this time. The despair he felt led him into alcohol and drug abuse. He felt tormented by his addictions, however, and wanted to change his life.
In August of that year, he surprised many when he announced that he had become a born-again evangelical Christian. The professed experience radically changed his career and life. At first, Cruz refused to accept Ray's change, but within four months Cruz himself became a convert.
In spite of these dramatic changes, Ray & Cruz fans continued to support the duo. The 1976 release of Reconstrucción went "Gold" (their ninth). The album included their smash hit single "Juan En La Ciudad". They followed with Viven in 1977, De Nuevo 'Los Durísimos' Again (1980), and their final release on Vaya Records, Inconfundibles (1987) in which Ray and Cruz announced their retirement from Salsa music. All of these were successful releases.
Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz lost most of their fans and found opposition among the members of their own faith when they suggested the idea of Christian Salsa. They stood their ground, however, and little by little, they started to regain the confidence of their fans and fellow Christians. They abandoned secular salsa and recorded salsa with a Christian message, reworking many of their worldly hits into religious themes. Some of these include "El Sonido La Bestia", "Más Que Vencedores", and "Aguzate". They also created some new ones, like "Los Fariseos", "Timoteo", and "Sipriano"
The sincerity of their Christian beliefs was not just conveyed in their music. Both Ray and Cruz are pastors, and they have founded more than 20 churches throughout Puerto Rico and the United States. In addition, Ray founded the Salvation Records label as an outlet for Christian music. Then, he continued his music career although his long-time friend, Cruz, had retired. During "retirement", however, both Cruz and Ray released albums with previously recorded numbers and with other bands or singers. Richie Ray is now a pastor in Cape Coral under the CLM fellowship.
In 1991, Ray and Cruz reunited for successful concert appearances in San Juan and again in New York. They reunited again in 1999 for the "Sonido Bestial" concert in the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum located in Bayamón, they sang some of their early hits together with some of their religious songs and the concert was recorded live. The outcome was so impressive that they were offered a contract by Universal Records, the recording was selected as one of the best recordings of 1999 and helped bring the pair back into the limelight of the Puerto Rican music scene. The pair has continued active in the music scene since.
[edit] Later years
In 2000, Ray and Cruz held a series of concerts that were completely sold out at the Antonio Paoli Hall of the Luis A. Ferre Center of Beautiful Arts in San Juan. They were also honored with a National Day of Salsa in Bayamón. In 2002, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz were inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.
In 2003, Ray recorded "Al Ritmo del Piano" for Warner Music Latina. Ray and Cruz continue to make appearances in places such as the Copacabana Club in New York. In December 2005 Ray & Cruz release a totally *new* album under the label Tropisounds the album was recorded in Colombia under the musical direction of its producer by Diego Galé, Que Vuelva La Música has 14 new tracks "El gallo y la vaca", "La bailarina", "Quim Bon Bori", "Vive contento", "Soy boricua" y "Va a llover" are just a few of the titles. The Album was an instant hit in Colombia and Latin America. "El gallo y la vaca" (25th Nov) and "Salsa La Celebracion" (7th two weeks in April) appeared in the top 100 salsa songs charts in North America through 2006. In 2006 Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz won a Latin-Grammy Award for "Lifetime Achievement", this year they also recorded a CD and DVD titled "A lifetime of hits" (live at Centro de Bellas Artes, San Juan, Puerto Rico) which was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the "Best Contemporary Tropical Album" category.
Ray currently lives in Florida with his wife Angie Ray and besides being musically active, he is also busy attending the churches which he and Cruz found in the United States, Caribbean and Latin-America. Ricardo "Richie" Ray is still considered along with Eddie Palmieri and Papo Lucca one of the best and more influential pianists of all times in Salsa music. On August 16, 2008, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz celebrated 45 years in the musical business, with a concert at José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.[1] Prior to the presentation, the duo noted that the concert would last at least three hours.[2] The duo has expressed that this might be their last "big scale concert".[3]
Bella es la Navidad
Ricardo Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mis felicidades a mis familiares
Y le ruego a Dios por la humanidad
Gloria en las alturas y en la tierra paz
Los niños que esperen a los reyes magos
Que ellos siempre vienen con muchos regalos
Y en el año nuevo tan espiritual
Todos rogaremos por eterna paz
Cuida'o Ramon eh pa'
Ay que bella es la navidad
Ay cantando aguinaldo y bailando na' más
Ay que bella es la navidad
Que pa' casa de Pedro me vo a guarachar
Ay que bella es la navidad
Se para Fair Fonseca, ay que barbaridad
Ay que bella es la navidad, ay
Y en casa de la comae' vamos a hacer una fiesta
Tendremos arroz con pollo compae' no se la pierda
Ay que bella es la navidad
Ay Saoko maino que barbaridad
Ay que bella es la navidad, mmm
Saludo a Carlos Colón
Saludos a Junior Vásquez
Y pa' Manolín Martínez, compadre no se me canse
Ay que bella es la navidad
Que yo me voy pa' Ine, que barbaridad
Ay que bella es la navidad
Pues de tierra me llama Maina, ay que barbaridad
Oye, pa' que Puerto Rico goze, ay
Haber esos Mayagüezanos, que dicen
Y que no se me queden los de Hormigueros, ahí sí hay salsa mama
Huye Fonseca, huye Fonseca
Y me voy pa' Bayamón, a comer chicharraron, ahí na' ma'
Oye con Santo Coloza, Santos Colon de Mayagüez, que pasa
In Ricardo Ray's song Bella es la Navidad, the singer reflects on the upcoming holiday season, expressing gratitude towards God and wishing happiness and peace for his family and the entire human race. He specifically mentions the anticipation of children waiting for the arrival of the three wise men, who are known for bringing many gifts. The lyrics also touch on the idea of a spiritual New Year, where people will pray for eternal peace.
The song has a festive and upbeat tone, with mentions of singing, dancing, and traditional Puerto Rican dishes like arroz con pollo and chicharrón. Ricardo Ray also gives shoutouts to various musicians and destinations in Puerto Rico, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo le pido a Dios estas navidades
I pray to God for my wishes to come true this Christmas
Mis felicidades a mis familiares
I wish happiness for my family
Y le ruego a Dios por la humanidad
I pray for humanity
Gloria en las alturas y en la tierra paz
May there be glory in heaven and peace on earth
Los niños que esperen a los reyes magos
Let children wait for the three wise men
Que ellos siempre vienen con muchos regalos
For they always bring many gifts
Y en el año nuevo tan espiritual
And in the spiritual new year
Todos rogaremos por eterna paz
We will all pray for eternal peace
Cuida'o Ramon eh pa'
Be careful Ramon, okay
Ay que bella es la navidad
Oh how beautiful Christmas is
Ay cantando aguinaldo y bailando na' más
Singing aguinaldo and just dancing
Ay que bella es la navidad
Oh how beautiful Christmas is
Que pa' casa de Pedro me vo a guarachar
I'm going to dance guaracha at Pedro's house
Ay que bella es la navidad
Oh how beautiful Christmas is
Se para Fair Fonseca, ay que barbaridad
Fair Fonseca stands up, oh what a sight
Ay que bella es la navidad, ay
Oh how beautiful Christmas is, oh
Y en casa de la comae' vamos a hacer una fiesta
And at my friend's house, we will have a party
Tendremos arroz con pollo compae' no se la pierda
We'll have chicken with rice, don't miss it
Ay Saoko maino que barbaridad
Oh Saoko, what a wonderful time
Saludo a Carlos Colón
Greetings to Carlos Colón
Saludos a Junior Vásquez
Greetings to Junior Vásquez
Y pa' Manolín Martínez, compadre no se me canse
And to my friend Manolín Martínez, don't tire out
Que yo me voy pa' Ine, que barbaridad
I'm going to Ine, oh what a time
Pues de tierra me llama Maina, ay que barbaridad
Maina, from the countryside, is calling me, oh what a time
Oye, pa' que Puerto Rico goze, ay
Hey, so Puerto Rico can enjoy, oh
Haber esos Mayagüezanos, que dicen
What do the people of Mayagüez say?
Y que no se me queden los de Hormigueros, ahí sí hay salsa mama
And the people from Hormigueros can't be left out, there's some great salsa there
Huye Fonseca, huye Fonseca
Run away Fonseca, run away Fonseca
Y me voy pa' Bayamón, a comer chicharraron, ahí na' ma'
And I'm going to Bayamón to eat pork rind, just like that
Oye con Santo Coloza, Santos Colon de Mayagüez, que pasa
Hey, what's going on with Santo Coloza, Santos Colon from Mayagüez
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bobby Cruz, Ricardo Ray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luisernestoortiz5701
Soy soldado del glorioso ejército de colombia para muchos de nosotros no podemos estar con nuestras familias para que ustedes puedan tener una navidad en paz
@ramoncardenas9572
Gracias por dar su vida por nosotros los Colombianos, aunque no nos conocemos GRACIAS SOLDADO DEL GLORIOSO EJERCITO DE COLOMBIA
@freddysalexis
Gracias ❤️
@josehernanhincapiegarcia4613
Gracias por su valor y coraje personal , y es cierto, ha sido, es y será siempre NUESTRO GLORIOSO, VALIENTE E INVENCIBLE EJERCITO NACIONAL, cuyo honor no puede ponerse en tela de juicio por las malas acciones y reprochables actos criminales de unos pocos.
@franciscojoseaguilarmanzan8208
APOYO TOTAL, COMPA, VIVA LA LIBERTAD , AL COLOMBIANO LE GUSTA. LA LIBERTAD Y ESTAR LIBRE.🙌👍👍
@yuliethsoache
Muchas gracias soldado del glorioso ejercito muchas bendiciones saludos desde mi bella bogota.🙏
@adolfocanar9503
Y yo sin poder ir este año pero bueno después nos desquitamos 😢😢🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴 y que viva el mejor país del mundo COLOMBIA saludos desde Kissimmee Florida,,,,,
@libertadamialma3979
Dios te bendiga..
@ricardoalvarezrico3407
te amo montón mi Colombia, por q eres el país más hermoso del mundo y te llevo en mi corazón.por q lo más lindo de la vida es pasar la navidad en colombia
@VideoGamerChoi
El más hermoso del mundo