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.
Te Quiero Tanto
Sonora Ponceña Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Y no comprendes lo que yo sufro por este amor.
Deja que hablen y que comenten de nuestras vidas.
Si ya nosotros segun no estamos de este carino.
Pues es la vida todo es mentira y desengano.
Segun acabo todo es mentira nada es verdad.
Tu no hagas caso de lo que digan todo se infundio.
Nuestras dos almas estan fundidas en una sola.
Segun acabo todo es mentira nada es verdad.
Tu no hagas caso de lo que digan todo se infundio.
Nuestra dos almas estan fundidas en una sola, nuestras dos almas estan fundidas en una sola.
These lyrics from Sonora Ponceña's Te Quiero Tanto express the pain and frustration of unrequited love. The singer loves someone so deeply, even though that person does not love them back. The singer is tormented by this love, but also frustrated that others are talking about their relationship even though they are no longer together. The singer seems to be saying that everything in life is a lie and disappointment, and that nothing is true except for the love they share with this person. They tell their partner to ignore what others are saying and to focus on the fact that their souls are intertwined.
The repeated refrain of "pues es la vida todo es mentira y desengano, segun acabo todo es mentira nada es verdad" adds to the sense of hopelessness and disillusionment in the song. The phrase "pues es la vida" is often used to acknowledge that life is full of ups and downs, but in this context it seems to suggest resignation to the idea that everything in life is a lie and disappointment. The singer's voice is full of emotion and longing, adding to the powerful message of the song.
Overall, these lyrics explore the complexities of love and the pain of unrequited feelings. The singer seems to be expressing their deep emotional turmoil in the face of a relationship that has ended but continues to haunt them.
Line by Line Meaning
Te quiero tanto y aunque me digas que no me quieres.
I love you so much even though you say you don't love me.
Y no comprendes lo que yo sufro por este amor.
And you don't understand the pain I'm going through because of this love.
Deja que hablen y que comenten de nuestras vidas.
Let them talk and comment about our lives.
Si ya nosotros segun no estamos de este carino.
Even though we supposedly don't have this love anymore.
Pues es la vida todo es mentira y desengano.
Well, life is full of lies and disappointments.
Segun acabo todo es mentira nada es verdad.
According to others, it's over and everything is a lie, nothing is true.
Tu no hagas caso de lo que digan todo se infundio.
Don't pay attention to what they say, it's all made up.
Nuestras dos almas estan fundidas en una sola.
Our two souls are fused into one.
Pues es la vida todo es mentira y desengano.
Well, life is full of lies and disappointments.
Segun acabo todo es mentira nada es verdad.
According to others, it's over and everything is a lie, nothing is true.
Tu no hagas caso de lo que digan todo se infundio.
Don't pay attention to what they say, it's all made up.
Nuestra dos almas estan fundidas en una sola, nuestras dos almas estan fundidas en una sola.
Our two souls are fused into one, our two souls are fused into one.
Writer(s): CLAUDIO ESTRADA
Contributed by Caroline M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.