Tito (born: Pablo Rodríguez Lozada) became interested in music as a child. He was always surrounded by musical toys, such as guitars, pianos and trumpets. His older brother, Johnny Rodríguez, was a song composer and bandleader, who inspired Tito to become a musician.
In 1936, 13 year old Tito joined the group of Ladislao (El Maestro Ladí) Martínez, "Industrias Nativas" as a singer and when he was 16 years old, he participated in a recording with the Mayari Cuartet. In 1940, Tito immigrated to New York City shortly after his parents, Jose and Severina died. He went to live with his brother Johnny, who had been living there since 1935.
In New York, Tito found a job as a singer and bongo player for the orchestra of Eric Madriguera. In 1941, he recorded "Amor Guajiro", "Acercate Mas" (Get Closer) and "Se Fue la Comparsa". In 1942, Tito joined the band of Xavier Cugat, and recorded "Bin, Bam, Bum" and "Ensalada de Congas" (Conga Salad).
Tito joined and served in the U.S. Army for one year. After he was discharged, he returned to New York where he joined the orchestra of Jose Carbelo. On one occasion, the band performed at the China Doll Cabaret. There he met a young Japanese chorus girl by the name of Tobi Kei (b. Takeku Kunimatsu, 23 January 1925, Bellingham, Washington, USA), who was to become his wife.
In 1947, Tito made his "solo" debut and finally organized his own band, which he named "Los Diablos del Mambo". In 1950, he enrolled in The Juilliard School of the Performing Arts, where he studied the vibrophone, xylophone and percussion.
He renamed his band "Los Lobos del Mambo" and later he dropped the name altogether. That's when he decided to go with the name "The Tito Rodriguez Orchestra". The first song that he recorded under the bands new name which became a "hit" was "Besame La Bemba" (Kiss My Big Lips). In 1952, he was honored for having developed his own unique singing style by the "Century Conservatory of Music of New York". His orchestra won the "Gran Trofeo Award" for two consecutive years.
In 1953, Tito heard a percussionist, by the name of Cheo Feliciano. So impressed was Tito that he offered Cheo a job in his band and hired him. Tito discovered that Cheo also knew how to sing and gave him an opportunity to sing at the Palladium Ballroom.
Eventually, Cheo went to work for another band but, the friendship between them lasted for the rest of their lives. Among the other orchestras that played at the Palladium, where the Charlie Palmieri and Tito Puente orchestras.
A rivalry which was to last for years, quickly developed between the two Tito's. The popular latin music craze at the time was the cha-cha and the merengue. With the beginning of the 1960s, all that was going to change with the popularity gained by rock music. Latino bands began to switch their styles and started playing more salsa and boogaloo, which was more attractive to the latin youth.
Tito decided to try his luck with boleros and recorded an album titled "Inolvidable" (Unforgettable), which is considered by many to be his greatest "hit". It sold over a million and a half copies world wide. He also produced records for other groups, such as Los Hispanos and Los Montemar.
The feud between the two Tito's was reflected on some of Rodriguez's recordings. "Avisale a Mi Contrario Que Aqui Estoy Yo" (Tell My Counterpart That I Am Here) and "Que Pena Me Da" (I Pity You), are just two examples of the bad feelings between both of them.
Tito returned to Puerto Rico in 1970 and built a Japanese style house in Santurce, where he lived with his family. Tito produced his own television show called "El Show de Tito Rodriguez" which was transmitted through channel 7. Among the special guest stars which appeared in his show were, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett and Shirley Basey. Tito also founded his own recording studio called TR Records.
Tito's last public appearance was with Machito and his Band on February 2, 1973 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Tito Rodríguez died of leukemia on February 28, 1973, in his Coral Gables, Florida home where he had recently moved with wife.
Llanto de Luna
Tito Rodriguez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
de mi decepción
Sombras de penas, silencios de olvidos
que tiene mi hoy.
Llaga de amor que no puede sanar
si me faltas tú.
Ebria canción de amargura
que murmura el mar.
que deja tu adiós.
Cómo poder olvidarte si dentro,
muy dentro estás tú
cómo vivir así en esta soledad
tan llena de ansiedad de ti...
cómo vivir así en esta soledad
tan llena de ansiedad de ti...
de ti...
The lyrics of Tito Rodríguez's song Llanto de Luna describe the pain and sadness of a person who has just gone through a break-up. The first verse talks about the lack of kisses in the moonlit night, which represents the absence of the loved one. The following lines describe the shadows of pain and silence of forgetting that the person is experiencing. The pain of a love that cannot be healed without the presence of the other person. The lyrics also mention the sea, which murmurs with a bitter song about the situation.
The second verse explains the struggle of the singer to move on and forget the lost love. The person tries to find a way to get rid of the sadness that the break-up has caused, but it seems impossible as the memories of the other person are deeply rooted within them. The lyrics express the vulnerability of the singer who feels their life is consumed by the constant reminder of their past love.
Overall, the song is a poignant representation of the emotions that come with heartbreak. It illustrates the struggle of finding a way to cope with the pain and move on from a broken relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Llanto de luna en la noche sin besos
I cry beneath the moon in a loveless night.
De mi decepción, sombras de penas, silencios de olvidos que tiene mi hoy.
My disappointment has brought me shadows of pain and silences of forgetfulness that consume my present.
Llaga de amor que no puede sanar si me faltas tú.
The wound of love cannot heal if you are not with me.
Ebria canción de amargura que murmura el mar.
The bitter song that the sea whispers is like drunkenness.
Cómo borrar esta larga tristeza que deja tu adiós.
How can I erase this long-lasting sadness that your goodbye has left behind?
Cómo poder olvidarte si dentro, muy dentro estás tú.
How can I forget you when you are deep inside of me?
Cómo vivir así en esta soledad tan llena de ansiedad de ti... cómo vivir así en esta soledad tan llena de ansiedad de ti... de ti...
How can I live in this solitude so full of anxiety for you? How can I live in this solitude so full of anxiety for you? For you...
Contributed by Hunter S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lucybrown6359
El boleto más clásico de Tito Rodríguez ,voz,melodia y orquestación.Simplemente Saludos desde el Perú.❤
@vivianaguerrero8084
La canciòn màs bella de Tito Rodrìguez. Me encanta!! Me la paso cantandola en mi casa. Tito es uno de mis cantantes favoritos. Lo amo!
@josehermosilla4425
El Don de Dones , enorme gigante e inalcanzable, señor bolero mis congratulaciones
@arqjulianpardo
que locura de melodiaaaaaa.......tantos recuerdosssss......erasmos felices y no lo sabiamos
@anamariagarrido4592
Insuperable Tito Rodriguez ❤
@josehermosilla4425
La orquestación es divina
@laurasoledadvillarreal3965
Cuando las hacían geniales
@olitamorenita1582
Sr Sol muchas gracias por su tiempo. Nos veremos en un próximo eclipse atte. Sra Luna 😃
@helenamier5926
Nostalgia y tristeza me trae recuerdos del ayer qué no olvidaré.
@ime916
La más hermosa melodía de Tito🌹