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.
No Vale la Pena
Sonora Ponceña Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
de haber creído que tu me querías.
(De forjar y fantasear)
De sueños que nunca podrán ser realidad...
Nuestro amor era un teatro
una comedia sin acto final...
tu en toda la obra el papel principal.
Fue difícil entender lo que paso
pesadilla que ya termino
tiempo de pensar y corregir...
entender que la vida puede continuar.
He sobrellevado el desengaño de tu amor
de haber creído que tu me querías
ya no vale la pena ni pensar que nuestro amor
se vuelva, a confirmar.
Ya no vale la pena ni pensar que nuestro amor
se vuelva, a confirmar...
eh...!
(No vale la pena pensar, tu y yo volvernos amar)
Es que no vale la pena... si quiera hacerse la ilusión
y encontrar prisión, mejor que así no te quieran.
(No vale la pena pensar, tu y yo volvernos amar)
Dando cuentas a un asunto
sobrellevando un desengaño
triste realidad, no quiero ni pensar.
(No vale la pena pensar, tu y yo volvernos amar)
Lo nuestro empezó con un sueño
divino, tan lindo, tan bello
pero, muy triste el despertar.
(No vale la pena pensar, tu y yo volvernos amar)
Fue difícil entender lo que paso
pero eso es pasado y atrás quedo
libre soy yo.
(No vale la pena pensar, tu y yo volvernos amar)
Lo destruiste todo, todo mi amor
si, fue por ti, por ti.
"Papo Luca, olvida y toca".
(No vale la pena...)
No, no, ni en sueños soy para ti.
(No vale, no vale la pena)
Pues tu amor es dolor y envenena.
(No vale la pena...)
Ten por seguro que a tu lado, jamás.
(No vale, no vale la pena)
Que en realidad ya eres del pasado.
(No vale la pena...)
Prefiero una y mil veces que te vayas...
(No vale, no vale la pena)
Pues vivir a tu lado es vivir engañado.
(No vale la pena...)
Mi felicidad llego, mi libertad si esta buena.
(No vale, no vale la pena)
No vale... la pena.
(No vale...).
In Sonora Ponceña's song No Vale La Pena, the singer talks about his disappointment and disillusionment with a past relationship. He recounts how he believed the person he loved truly cared for him and had dreams of a future together. However, he later realizes that their love was just a theater, a comedy without a final act. He played a secondary role while his partner was the leading character.
The singer reflects on how difficult it was to understand what happened and how it seemed like a nightmare that has now ended. He has come to terms with the fact that their life must continue without each other. He no longer wishes to even consider the possibility of rekindling their love since it is not worth it. He acknowledges that their relationship was toxic and damaging, and he is happier now that he is free from it.
The lyrics of the song are powerful and reflect the emotions of someone who has experienced the end of a relationship. They convey the feeling of loss and disappointment that follows when one realizes that the love they had was not genuine. The song is a reminder that it is essential to move on and that one should not hold on to something that is not worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
He sobrellevado, el desengaño
de haber creído que tu me querías.
I have coped with the disillusionment of having believed that you loved me.
(De forjar y fantasear)
De sueños que nunca podrán ser realidad...
(From forging and fantasizing) Of dreams that can never become reality...
Nuestro amor era un teatro
una comedia sin acto final...
Our love was a theater, a comedy without a final act...
yo interpretando un papel secundario
tu en toda la obra el papel principal.
me playing a supporting role, while you had the lead in the whole play.
Fue difícil entender lo que paso
pesadilla que ya termino
tiempo de pensar y corregir...
entender que la vida puede continuar.
It was difficult to understand what happened, but that nightmare is over. Time to think and correct...to understand that life can go on.
He sobrellevado el desengaño de tu amor
de haber creído que tu me querías
ya no vale la pena ni pensar que nuestro amor
se vuelva, a confirmar.
I have coped with being disenchanted by your love, of having thought you loved me. It's not worth even considering that our love will return and be confirmed.
Ya no vale la pena ni pensar que nuestro amor
se vuelva, a confirmar...
eh...!
(No vale la pena pensar, tu y yo volvernos amar)
It's not worth even considering that our love will return and be confirmed...no...! (It's not worth thinking about us falling in love again)
Es que no vale la pena... si quiera hacerse la ilusión
y encontrar prisión, mejor que así no te quieran.
It's just not worth it...to even have the illusion of being imprisoned, it's better if they don't love you like that.
Dando cuentas a un asunto
sobrellevando un desengaño
triste realidad, no quiero ni pensar.
Giving an account of an affair, coping with disillusionment, a sad reality that I don't even want to think about.
Lo nuestro empezó con un sueño
divino, tan lindo, tan bello
pero, muy triste el despertar.
Ours began with a dream, divine, so beautiful, so lovely... but waking up was very sad.
Fue difícil entender lo que paso
pero eso es pasado y atrás quedo
libre soy yo.
It was difficult to understand what happened, but that's the past and it's behind me...I'm free now.
Lo destruiste todo, todo mi amor
si, fue por ti, por ti.
You destroyed everything, all my love...yes, it was because of you, because of you.
"Papo Luca, olvida y toca".
"Papo Luca, forget and play".
No, no, ni en sueños soy para ti.
No, no, not even in dreams am I for you.
Pues tu amor es dolor y envenena.
Because your love is pain and poison.
Ten por seguro que a tu lado, jamás.
Be sure that I will never be by your side.
Que en realidad ya eres del pasado.
You are already part of the past, actually.
Prefiero una y mil veces que te vayas...
I prefer a thousand times that you go away...
Pues vivir a tu lado es vivir engañado.
Because living by your side is living in deception.
Mi felicidad llego, mi libertad si esta buena.
My happiness has arrived, and my freedom is good.
No vale... la pena.
It's not worth it...the pain.
Contributed by Benjamin A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.