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.
La Gotera
Sonora Ponceña Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Algo me dice que ya yo puedo empezar a vivir otra vez
Si alguna vez yo te encuentro de nuevo en mi senda te juro no vacilaré
En recordarte que ayer me hiciste sufrir y me recuperé
Ya verás que tendré mis razones
Que aprendí a enterrar los rencores
Yo nací para el amor
Y no e carguento
Aunque me cause dolor
Ahora yo soy felíz
Me he librado, cariño de tí
Yo nací sin tí, me crié sin tí, de la misma forma yo seré felíz
La misma forma de quererte con loco frenesí
Yo nací sin tí, me crié sin tí, de la misma forma yo seré felíz
La puerta está abierta, por ella te puedes ir
Yo nací sin tí, me crié sin tí, de la misma forma yo seré felíz
Oye me Negra te creia que me iba a llorar pero que va, yo no soy de esos
Mira cómo dice
¡Ay!
¡Alegría!
¡Muchachos si la salsa me ayuda!
La puerta está abierta por ella te puedes ir
Yo nací sin tí, me crié sin tí, de la misma forma yo seré felíz
Seré felíz con mi nuevo amor, te lo digo yo a tí
Yo nací sin tí, me crié sin tí, de la misma forma yo seré felíz
Nunca, nunca me diste nada y ahora vete de aquí
Yo nací sin tí, me crié sin tí, de la misma forma yo seré felíz
Problemas no quiero contigo, ahora le digo así
Yo nací sin tí, me crié sin tí, de la misma forma yo seré felíz
Las clases que me diste muchacha de nada me han servido, necesitas universidad tu eh
Avanza te estoy esperando, recoge la plancha, los muebles y los cupones tambien oye
Ah! y recuerda venir a recoger la perra flaca que me está mojando la alfombra shaggy avanza
Entra mujer a buscar tu querer
Lo pasado a lo pasado, lo nuevo no sé va a poder
Entra mujer a buscar tu querer
Lo tuyo pasó hace tiempo, ahora tengo un nuevo querer
Entra mujer a buscar tu querer
Pero que entra, pero que entra, entra mujer a buscar tu querer
Entra mujer a buscar tu querer.
The lyrics of Sonora Ponceña's song "La Gotera" tell the story of someone who is determined to move on from a past relationship and find happiness again. The opening line, "Voy a tapar la gotera que tengo en el pecho" ("I'm going to seal the leak that I have in my heart"), suggests that this person has been experiencing emotional pain and is ready to put an end to it. The following lines express a sense of hope and optimism, with the singer declaring that they will never suffer in their mind again and that they are ready to live their life fully once more.
Later on, the lyrics address the possibility of encountering the ex-partner again, promising not to waver in the face of any reminders of past suffering. The chorus repeats the phrase "Yo nací sin ti, me crié sin ti, de la misma forma yo seré feliz" ("I was born without you, I grew up without you, and I will be happy in the same way"), emphasizing the singer's independence and resilience. The use of the imperative verb "Entra" ("Come in") towards the end of the song suggests that the ex-partner is trying to return to the singer's life, but the singer's firmness in refusing to dwell on the past and move forward is clear.
Line by Line Meaning
Voy a tapar la gotera que tengo en el pecho en mi mente jamás sufriré
I'm going to fix the leak in my heart and never suffer in my mind again.
Algo me dice que ya yo puedo empezar a vivir otra vez
Something tells me I can start living again.
Si alguna vez yo te encuentro de nuevo en mi senda te juro no vacilaré
If I ever find you in my path again, I swear I won't hesitate to remind you that you hurt me and I moved on.
En recordarte que ayer me hiciste sufrir y me recuperé
I'll remind you that you made me suffer yesterday, but I've recovered.
Ya verás que tendré mis razones
You'll see that I have my reasons.
Que aprendí a enterrar los rencores
I learned to bury grudges.
Yo nací para el amor
I was born for love.
Y le canto con pasión
And I sing it passionately.
Y no e carguento
And I don't complain.
Aunque me cause dolor
Even though it hurts me.
Ahora yo soy felíz
Now I am happy.
Me he librado, cariño de tí
I have freed myself from you, my dear.
Yo nací sin tí, me crié sin tí, de la misma forma yo seré felíz
I was born without you, raised without you, and I'll be happy the same way.
La misma forma de quererte con loco frenesí
The same way I loved you with crazy passion.
La puerta está abierta, por ella te puedes ir
The door is open, you can leave through it.
Oye me Negra te creia que me iba a llorar pero que va, yo no soy de esos
Hey, my dear, you thought I was going to cry? No way, I'm not like that.
¡Alegría!
Joy!
¡Muchachos si la salsa me ayuda!
Boys, if salsa music helps me!
La puerta está abierta por ella te puedes ir
The door is open, you can leave through it.
Seré felíz con mi nuevo amor, te lo digo yo a tí
I'll be happy with my new love, just so you know.
Nunca, nunca me diste nada y ahora vete de aquí
You never gave me anything, and now leave.
Problemas no quiero contigo, ahora le digo así
I don't want any problems with you, that's how it is now.
Las clases que me diste muchacha de nada me han servido, necesitas universidad tu eh
The lessons you taught me were useless, girl, you need to go to university.
Avanza te estoy esperando, recoge la plancha, los muebles y los cupones tambien oye
Come on, I'm waiting for you, pick up the iron, the furniture, and the coupons, you hear?
Ah! y recuerda venir a recoger la perra flaca que me está mojando la alfombra shaggy avanza
Oh, and remember to come and pick up the skinny dog that's wetting my shaggy carpet, come on.
Entra mujer a buscar tu querer
Come in, woman, to find your love.
Lo pasado a lo pasado, lo nuevo no sé va a poder
The past is the past, what's new may not work.
Lo tuyo pasó hace tiempo, ahora tengo un nuevo querer
What was yours is gone, now I have a new love.
Pero que entra, pero que entra, entra mujer a buscar tu querer
Come on in, come on in, come in to find your love, woman.
Entra mujer a buscar tu querer.
Come in, woman, to find your love.
Writer(s): Juan Pablo Gautreau
Contributed by Luke M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mariavictoriaosorio4947
Mucho tema ,para mi no pasa de moda
@kennyvalentin4331
La ponceña insustituible bendiciones.
@johnnyloza8736
LOS GIGANTES DEL SUR LA PONCEÑA DE PUERTO RICO CAPITAL DÉ LA SALSA... SALUDOS DESDE GUAYAQUIL LA PERLA DEL PACÍFICO
@diegoferrnandotamayo7537
La mas sureña , excelente orquesta hoy y por todos los tiempos.q viva la salsa🎉🍻👏. saludos desde la capital mundial de la salsa.CALI Colombia salseros por excelencia 🇨🇴👍
@maricelgarciaparra7918
Me encantó hoy apenas lo oí y lo volví a oír y lo comparti con mi gente salsera
@71Sonero
Para mí, desde niño, no hay ninguna orquesta como la Sonora Ponceña. Salsa sobria, limpia, melodiosa, cautivante, sosegada y ecléctica; es decir, Salsa elegante para oídos exigentes. Saludos de un samario, desde Santiago (Chile).
@armandorosado8235
Tremenda descripción de la mejor orquesta de Puerto Rico
@jorgeeduardobarrios8096
Coño hermano ; lo dijiste todito lo que es la SONORA PONCEÑA , saludos mí hermano salsero desde MÍ BELLO PANAMÁ , donde la SONORA PONCEÑA tiene gran cantidad de seguidores .
@lanizava2981
Es la descripción perfecta para tremendo grupo musical, infaltable en cualquier rumba como los LeBron...
@favila9847
y sumamente alegre y bailable tambien te olvidaste.