The history of La Sonora Ponceña is the history of Quique Lucca, (Yauco, Puerto Rico, 12 December 1912 - 9 October 2016). In 1928, when he was 16 years old, his family moves to Ponce, Puerto Rico and Quique starts to work as an auto mechanic and starts playing the guitar. In 1932 Quique meets Angélica Quiñones, the future mother of his children, Zulma, Papo y Wanda. In 1944 Quique puts together a band called "El Conjunto Internacional", including three instrumentalists: tumbadora, bongó, vocalist and Quique Lucca at the guitar and second voice. Later, Antonio "Tato" Santaella joined, playing the bongó. On 10 April 1946, Enrique Lucca Jr. ("Papo") was born; he would later become the musical director of "La Sonora". In fact, in 1951, Papo surprised his father and the other members of the "Internacional" band when, at only 5 years old, he joined a band practice and started playing the tumbadora on Tito Puente's "Ran Kan Kan".
After the band had been inactive for a year, Quique re-established it in 1954 and renamed it "Conjunto Sonora Ponceña". His childhood friend Antonio "Tato" Santaella played bajo de cajón. On 20 April of that year the band plays at its first official dance. In 1956, Vicentivo Morales, joins the band as its first pianist. Later that year, Quique brings young Papo into the band as a pianist. In November 1957, Papo makes its official debut during a dance on the northern shore of the Island. In 1958, La Sonora Ponceña records its first 78 RPM with Avelino Muñoz as pianist. The 78 RPM contained No puede Ser on one side and Tan Linda que Era on the reverse side. Towards the end of 1958, the band goes into recording mode and includes 12-year-old Papo Lucca. The band included its first official vocalist Charlie Martínez. Later on, vocalists Felipe and Davilita would also record bolero-mambo themes such as Noche de Locura. In September 1960, the group played in New York. The group's main attraction was its 12-year-old pianist, Papo Lucca. In 1968 the group started its official recordings on 33 RPM with the song Hacheros Pa' Un Palo.
In 1974, singer Humberto "Tito" Gómez leaves the band after 7 years and 6 recordings. Together with Joe Rodríguez and Mickey Ortíz, Humberto "Tito" Gómez formed La Terrífica. Likewise, in 1977 Edgardo Morales, who played the timbal leaves the band after 7 years and 7 recordings and joins El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. In 1978 singer Luis Guillermo "Luigui" Texidor leves the band after 10 years and 10 recordings to join Bobby Valentín's Orchestra. In 1982 trumpetist Humberto Godineaux leaves the band after 4 years a 6 recordings. Singer Yolanda Rivera also left the band after 7 years and 8 recordings. In 1985, singer Miguel Ortíz retires from the band after 11 years and 12 recordings. On 28 May 1986, the band losses singer Alberto "Toñito" Ledée in a car accident. In 1987, trumpetist Heriberto "Ayatollah" Santiago also retires having 7 years and 5 recordings to his credit. In July 1989, long-time bass player Antonio "Tato" Santaella retired after 21 recordings. Tato played without ever using any musical scores, and singing entirely "by ear". A year later, in 1990, another bass player Efraín "Frao" Hernández retired from the band after 10 years and 7 recordings. In 1990, bongó player Angel Hernández also retired after 14 years and 13 recordings. In 1991, tumbadora player Vicente "Pequeño Johnny" Rivera retires after 16 years with the band. He had performed on 15 of the band's recordings. In 1993, long-time trumpeter Ramón "Tony El Cordovés" Rodríguez retired after 24 recordings. This was followed by the retirement of trumpeter Freddie Del Valle, who had played with the band for 6 years and had participated in 5 recordings.
In 1993, the band played at the Magno Orchestra Festival in Barranquilla, Colombia. The band was awarded the “Congo de Oro” award, given to the best international band. And in October 1994, Sonora Ponceña celebrated its 40th anniversary with a festival at Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The band would later also play at the Madison Square Garden to bring its celebration to the United States. In 1995, the band did a reunion recording with Luis Guillermo "Luigi" Texidor and Yolanda Rivera who had retired 19 and 14 years earlier, respectively. That same year, they sang in Paris, France, and at the Desfile de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Parade) in Zaragoza, Spain. In 1996 the band plays for the first time in Mexico at the Boca del Río, Veracruz, Mexico, carnival.
In 2000, Sonora Ponceña celebrated its 45th anniversary at the Tito Puente Amphitheater at the Centro de Bellas Artes in San Juan, Puerto Rico and at the Teatro La Perla in Ponce. They also played in Caracas, Venezuela as part of this 45th anniversary celebration. In the years following 2000, La Sonora Ponceña participated in a large number of events throughout Puerto Rico, including Fiestas Patronales, private parties, graduation parties, and corporate Christmas and holiday parties. In the following years, the band also made presentations in Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, Washington, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Jersey, Panamá, Perú, England, Switzerland and Italy.
For its 50th year anniversary (2004), the band played at Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The 12,000 spectators made the show a complete sellout on its presentation day, February 21. The show was broadcast via radio and television.
During its 50th anniversaery show at Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, the band was officially recognized by the Legislature of Puerto Rico for its musical contributions.
The 23rd “Día Nacional de la Salsa”, celebrated in Carolina, Puerto Rico on 16 March 2004, was dedicated to Don Quique, Papo and la Sonora Ponceña.
In Ponce there is a street, in Urb. Estancias del Golf, named after Quique Lucca.
The 2003 "Feria de Turismo", celebrated at Complejo Turístico “La Guancha” in Ponce was dedicated to Don Quique, Papo and la Sonora Ponceña.
Borinquen
Sonora Ponceña Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To make it shine, to make it shine
And it will take a little bit of extra care
To bring it where you think it's there
And there's no one else around
But this is what I've found
Anyone you see, anyone you meet
Someone at your feet, anyone could be the one
Someone at a show could be that one
And it will take a little less than all you've got
To get a shot, to get a shot
And it will take a little bit of extra care
To bring it where you think it's there
And there's nowhere else to go
But this is what I know
Anyone you see, anyone you meet
Maybe down the street, anyone could be that one
Everywhere you look the pages of a book
All the years it took everything that got you down
And it will take a little while to get back home
The road is long, the road is long
And it will take a little work to get it back
To mend the cracks, to bridge the gaps
Anyone you see could be the one
Anyone you meet could be that one
Someone at your feet could feel the same
Making you complete could share your name
Everywhere you look the pages of a book
Everything she took, never let it keep you down
You're holding out for news
All broken up and bruised, a loser born to lose
Anywhere you go, anyone you know
You think it doesn't show but everybody knows
Anyone you see maybe down the street
Someone at your feet could be that one
The lyrics to Sonora Ponceña's "Borinquen" are about the journey to find love and happiness. The song starts by acknowledging that achieving true love and happiness will take extra time and care. The singer advises the listener to keep an open mind and heart because anyone they encounter could be the one that they are looking for. The singer asserts that anyone they see or meet could potentially be the one that makes them feel complete.
The second verse encourages the listener to keep trying despite the obstacles that come their way. It requires a little less effort than what they've already given to get a chance at love. They must put in the extra work and care to work on themselves and bridge the gaps that may be holding them back. The singer reminds the listener that despite the bumps they might encounter, they can obtain their goal with a little bit of patience and determination.
The chorus repeats the message that anyone has the potential to be the one that fills the emptiness in the listener's life. It encourages them to keep searching for that special someone everywhere they look, whether down the street or at a show. The song ends with the message that one should never give up on love even when they feel broken and bruised. They must hold on to hope, as everybody around them knows that they are looking for love.
Line by Line Meaning
And it will take a little bit of extra time
To achieve success and perfection, more time and effort is necessary
To make it shine, to make it shine
This extra time and effort is needed for something to stand out and be exceptional
And it will take a little bit of extra care
Along with time, care and attention are also necessary for success
To bring it where you think it's there
This care is important to bring close to where you think your goal is
And there's no one else around
When you are alone and without help
But this is what I've found
Here's what I've discovered
Anyone you see, anyone you meet
The person you are looking for could be anyone
Someone at your feet, anyone could be the one
The person you are looking for could even be someone you don't expect
Anyone you know, anywhere you go
The person you are looking for could be anyone or anywhere
Someone at a show could be that one
The person you are looking for could be someone you meet at a show or performance.
And it will take a little less than all you've got
It might not take everything you have, but close to it
To get a shot, to get a shot
This effort is necessary to have a chance at what you want
And there's nowhere else to go
When there are no other options or alternatives
But this is what I know
Here's what I am certain of
Maybe down the street, anyone could be that one
The person you are looking for could even be someone you encounter in your everyday life
Everywhere you look the pages of a book
Everywhere we go in life we are presented with opportunities
All the years it took everything that got you down
The obstacles you faced in the past could have weighed you down
And it will take a little while to get back home
Returning to a place of comfort and security may take time
The road is long, the road is long
The journey ahead could be long and difficult
To mend the cracks, to bridge the gaps
Efforts must be made to repair and connect what's been broken or disconnected
Someone at your feet could feel the same
Someone close to you may share the same experiences and feelings
Making you complete could share your name
Being with this person could make you feel whole and complete
Everything she took, never let it keep you down
Don't let the things that have been taken away or lost keep you from moving forward
You're holding out for news
Waiting for information or updates
All broken up and bruised, a loser born to lose
Feeling hurt and defeated, and believing that you are destined for failure
You think it doesn't show but everybody knows
Even if you think you are hiding your feelings, others can still sense your struggle
Writer(s): Carlos Pastor Lopez Copyright: Latin American Music Co. Inc.
Contributed by Colin P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ametrorol4972
Dar dedo abajo es una falta de respeto,salvo que seas rockero o reguetonero,que viva la salsa,Saludos desde lima PERU
@luzviviana6615
Soy rockero, pero la calidad musical de esta canción es impresionante, la buena música no distingue género. Mis respetos a estos salseros, tremenda orquesta!!!
@CarlosGonzalez-vp5cr
Yo soy rockero y me gusta mucho la salsa y esta orquestra es una
De mis preferida
Recuerdo cuando mi kerido Viejo escuchaba a la Sonora ponceña
@goliveros01
Soy Rockero 🤘 pero no me gusta la música latina caribeña sin embargo hago una excepción sobre esta orquesta por la interpretación de los instrumentos , sobre todo el trombón.
@juancarlosvera5873
Esto hace que cualquier melómano, cualquier salsero que se precie de serlo, se sienta Puertorriqueño por los breves minutos que dura la pieza... ¡Qué emocionante! ¡Qué vaina tan buena! Y como siempre, Yolanda, sin decepcionar... ¡Aplausos de pie!
@grandezadelacancionmexican7034
El hermoso himno dedicado a Puerto Rico. Esto es algo mas que el himno nacional de Puerto Rico. Los mexicanos salseros y rumberos agradecemos a Puerto RRo por tanta rica salsita❤. Esto es un himno para todos los que apoyamos el Movimiento Salsa en todo el mundo!!
@felixramos3078
Tremenda orquesta, y tremenda cantante. La Sonora Ponceña, es una institución, que lleva nuestra bandera Puertorriqueña en alto! La primera vez que los escuché, fue en 1979. Apenas comensaba La Escuela Superior, en décimo grado. Yo tendria unos 15 años de edad. WOW, ya han pasado más de 40 años... Increíble, parece qué fue ayer... 😱
@fabiorosero4398
Viva Puerto Rico!!! La verdadera expresión de la salsa con Yolanda Rivera!!! Saludos desde Colombia.
@gregoriocruces9925
Saludos cordiales a todos los hermanos puertoriqueños desde la cdmx 🎙️🎷🎵🎸🎹🎺🎼🎶🥁📯🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽
@soniaverano8910
La Ponceña es en mi humilde opinión la mejor orqueta de todos los tiempos, no tienen un solo tema malo, Papo mi ídolo Yolandita la mejor solo excelencia, reunidos bajo los arreglos y dirección del maestro de los maestros