Olivencia (birth name: Ángel Tomás Olivencia Pagán [note 1] _ was born in the Villa Palmeras section of Santurce, Puerto Rico, United States. His family moved to the city of Arecibo when he was just a child. There received his primary and secondary education. As a young man, he became fascinated with the trumpet and learned to play the musical instrument. In 1954, Olivencia sang and played the trumpet for local bands. He graduated from high school in 1957 and his family relocated once again to Santurce.
In 1960, Olivencia organized his first orchestra, which he named the "Tommy Olivencia y La Primerísima Orquesta de Puerto Rico". His band combined swing and melodic styles together. This combination, plus a strong brass contingent in the band was his trademark. Olivencia signed a contract with Inca Records and remained with that label until 1978. In 1972, he had his first major "hit" with Secuestro (Kidnapped) and followed that hit with Juntos de Nuevo (Together Again) in 1974 and Planté Bandera in 1975.
Olivencia's band was also known as the "Tommy Olivencia School", because the band produced some of the best and most talented singers and musicians of salsa in the island. Among those to have belonged to the band at one time or another were: Chamaco Ramirez, Sammy "El Rolo" González, Simon Perez, Paquito Guzman, Ubaldo "Lalo" Rodriguez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Marvin Santiago, Frankie Ruiz, Hector Tricoche, Carlos Alexis, Hector "Pichie" Perez, Paquito "Junior" Acosta and Mel Martínez. On August 2000, Olivencia celebrated his 40th anniversary in the music industry at the Tito Puente Theater in San Juan, an event attended by many of the former members of his band. On May 15, 2004, Olivencia celebrated his 66th birthday and 45 years with the band with a live recording concert. The annual "Day of Salsa" of 2005, celebrated in Puerto Rico was dedicated to Olivencia.
He died on September 22, 2006, aged 68, in San Juan, Puerto Rico from complications of diabetes, which he had battled his entire life.
Among the albums recorded by Olivencia and his band are:
Trucutu (1965)
La Nueva Sensación Musical de Puerto Rico (1965) [Repackaging of "Trucutu"]
Jala-Jala y Guaguancó (1966)
Fire-Fire (1967)
A Toda Máquina..! (1968)
Cuero...Salsa y Sentimiento (1971)
Secuestro (1972)
Juntos de Nuevo (1974)
Planté Bandera (1975)
Introducing Lalo Rodríguez and Simón Pérez (1976)
El Negro Chombo (1977)
La Primerísima (1978)
Sweet Trumpet Hot "Salsa" (1978)
Tommy Olivencia & Orchestra (1979)
Un Triángulo de Triunfo (1981)
Cantan: Frankie Ruiz y Carlos Alexis (1983)
Celebrando Otro Aniversario (1984)
Ayer, Hoy, Mañana y Siempre (1986)
30° Aniversario (1987)
El Jeque (1988)
Enamorado y Qué! (1990)
Vive la Leyenda (1998)
40° Aniversario Live (2002)
The following are considered among the top 100 greatest salsa songs:
Casimira
Cómo lo Hacen
Trucutu
Pa' Lante Otra Vez
Lobo Domesticado
No Me Tires la Primera Piedra
Pancuco
Tommy Olivencia y Su Orquesta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Yo conocí un elemento
Que se llamaba Pancuco
Que se ganaba la vida
En un circo haciendo trucos
Yo conocí un elemento
Que se llamaba Pancuco
En un circo haciendo trucos
Pero le llegó su día
Y durante una función
Pa' probar su valentía
Se encerró con un león.
El león abrió la boca
Pancuco se lo ordenó
Y toda su mano izquierda
En la boca le metió.
Cuando el publico aplaudía
Pancuco se descuido
El león cerro la boca
Se escuchó una algarabía
Y desde aquel mismo día
Hasta el nombre le cambió.
Ya no le dicen Pancuco.
En el barrio mira, le tienen un vacilón.
Ahora le llaman el tuco
Por estar haciendo trucos
Fue su última función
Por estar haciendo trucos
Se le fue, se le fue la inspiración
Ahora le llaman el tuco
Ya no sirve ya no sirve de atracción
Por estar haciendo trucos
Por eso mira hoy se lamenta hasta el león
Ahora le llaman el tuco
Oye Pancuco ahora te llaman el tuco
Hubo una algarabía
Ahora le llaman el tuco
Y... desde el mismo día
Por estar haciendo trucos
Por siempre estar haciendo trucos
Ahora le llaman el tuco
Pobrecito Pancuco se metió en un lío
Por estar haciendo trucos
Por tratar de probar su valentía
Ahora le llaman el tuco
Pobrecito Pancuco, el león lo dejó tuco
Ahora siempre esta en la quince practicando un nuevo truco
Pobrecito Pancuco, el león lo dejó tuco
Y lo tienen de bufón, lo tienen de vacilón
Eso te pasa Pancuco, por estar haciendo trucos
Todo el mundo esta en espera
A ver a ver como se la inventa
Eso te pasa Pancuco, por estar haciendo trucos
Eso te pasa Pancuco, por estar haciendo trucos
Eso te pasa Pancuco, por estar haciendo trucos
Ya no le dicen Pancuco
Ahora le llaman el tuco.
The lyrics of "Pancuco" by Tommy Olivencia y Su Orquesta tell the story of a character named Pancuco who used to work in a circus performing tricks to make a living. The lyrics describe how Pancuco's life took a dramatic turn during a performance where he tried to showcase his bravery by facing a lion. In a moment of recklessness, he dared to put his hand inside the lion's mouth, impressing the audience but ultimately falling victim to the lion's sudden closure of its jaws. This incident led to Pancuco being known by a new name, "el tuco," a moniker that reflects his now diminished status and changed circumstances.
The song continues to narrate how Pancuco's once thriving career as a performer came to an abrupt end following the lion incident. He lost his inspiration and became a mockery in his neighborhood, as people now mockingly refer to him as "el tuco" for his failed tricks and diminished appeal as an entertainer. The lyrics highlight how Pancuco's pursuit of proving his valor through daring stunts ultimately backfired and left him in a pitiable and regretful state. The repetition of "Por estar haciendo trucos" serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of Pancuco's choices and actions.
The song evokes a sense of pity for Pancuco as he laments his downfall and the loss of his former reputation. The references to his continuous attempts to invent new tricks and the amusement of others at his expense portray a stark image of his current situation. The lyrics convey a cautionary tale about the risks of seeking validation through dangerous feats and the importance of staying grounded and true to oneself. The transformation of Pancuco into "el tuco" symbolizes a shift from admiration to derision, emphasizing the fickle nature of fame and the price one pays for seeking glory through shortcuts and gimmicks.
Overall, "Pancuco" is a poignant song that delves into themes of hubris, regret, and the consequences of seeking validation through risky endeavors. Through its vivid storytelling and emotive lyrics, the song serves as a reminder of the fragility of success and the fallibility of human nature. It offers a compelling narrative about the downfall of a once-promising performer and serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of sacrificing authenticity for the pursuit of fleeting fame.
Writer(s): Johny Vega
Contributed by Mateo S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.