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.
Ramona
Sonora Ponceña Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the mountains high
Seem to kiss the sky
Someone is out yonder, o'er the hills
Waiting patiently, Waiting just for me
Ramona, I hear the mission bells above
Ramona, they're ringing out our song of love
To always remember the rambling rose you wear in your hair
Ramona, when day is done you'll hear my call
Ramona, we'll meet beside the water fall
I dread the dawn when I awake to find you gone
Ramona I need you my own
Let's wander out yonder o'er the hills
By a babbling brook
Where we'll find a nook
To build our own love nest, o'er the hills
Darling of my heart, Never more to part
Ramona, I hear the mission bells above
Ramona, they're ringing out our song of love
I press you, caress you, and bless the day you taught me to care
To always remember the rambling rose you wear in your hair
Ramona, when day is done you'll hear my call
Ramona, we'll meet beside the water fall
I dread the dawn when I awake to find you gone
Ramona I need you my own
The lyrics of Sonora Ponceña's song "Ramona" describe the idealistic, romantic love that the singer has for a woman named Ramona. The song starts with the singer wandering over the hills, where the mountains seem to kiss the sky. He is aware that someone is waiting for him, patiently and just for him. As the song goes on, the singer continues to express his love, affection, and devotion to Ramona by describing how the mission bells ring out their song of love, how he presses, caresses, and blesses the day he learned to care for her, how he will always remember the rambling rose she wears in her hair, and how he needs her as his own.
The singer's visit to the hills and surrounding nature is a clear sign of his joy and liberation upon seeing Ramona. The hills and mountains are metaphors for the singer's state of euphoria and how he feels his love. The singer is aware that Ramona is his true love, and he is ready to do anything to keep her by his side. The song can be interpreted as a vintage love song that values the power of eternal love, the simplicity of nature, and the happiness it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
I wander out yonder o'er the hills
I walk alone over the mountains
Where the mountains high
Where the mountains soar upwards
Seem to kiss the sky
They appear to touch the sky
Someone is out yonder, o'er the hills
Someone is waiting for me in the distance
Waiting patiently, Waiting just for me
They patiently wait for my arrival
Ramona, I hear the mission bells above
Ramona, I hear the bells from the nearby church
Ramona, they're ringing out our song of love
They play the tune that reminds me of our love
I press you, caress you, and bless the day you taught me to care
I hold you close, touch you gently, and am grateful for the day you showed me love
To always remember the rambling rose you wear in your hair
To never forget the flower you have in your hair
Ramona, when day is done you'll hear my call
Ramona, when the day ends, I'll call out to you
Ramona, we'll meet beside the water fall
Ramona, we'll reunite beside the waterfall
I dread the dawn when I awake to find you gone
I fear waking up to find that you're no longer with me
Ramona I need you my own
Ramona, you are the only one I need and love
Let's wander out yonder o'er the hills
Let's walk together over the hills
By a babbling brook
Next to a chattering stream
Where we'll find a nook
We'll find a cozy spot
To build our own love nest, o'er the hills
To make a home for our love in the mountains
Darling of my heart, Never more to part
My beloved, we will never be apart
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: L. Wolfe Gilbert, Mabel Wayne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nancytorres7441
ME ENCANTA 💖
@ThonyLF
Ese solo de piano de Papo Lucca asegura la eternidad de la salsa. Saludos desde Lima Perú!
@gladysroxanareyes8195
Ok o Lolo o Ol
@alfredorodriguez1965
Temazo mi gente
@mariafernandagonzalezbeltr5904
Tengo 19 años y me gusta esta canción gracias a un CD de éxitos de la sonora Ponceña que tiene mi papá, lo escucho desde que tengo memoria, siempre lo pone de camino cada vez que vamos a la cdmx (ciudad de México)
@favila9847
Lo máximo esta canción de La Sonora Ponceña Ramona, es una de mis favoritas, ya que esta canción es sumamente alegre y bailable. Esto si que es música de verdad, te levanta el ánimo aún en los peores momentos. En la voz de Miguelito Ortiz, ya me dieron ganas de escucharla este fin de semana.
@ricardojesusdamianmolina7890
🎵🎶 sin ninguna nochebuenaaaa 🎶🎶🎶
@JoseJimenez-ov5tc
La sonora que derrocha calidad y elegancia ✨
@mariosebastiani563
Estilo presencia y sobretodo SABROSURA
@alexmendoza8027
Simplemente una de las mejores orquestas del mundo de la salsa, siempre estará en mi corazón, lo mejor de lo mejor y que sigan los éxitos con las bendiciones de DIOS