Willie Rosario
Rosario (born Fernando Luis Rosario Marin) was raised in a poor but, hard working family. His parents realized that as a child Willie was musically inclined and had him take guitar lessons at the age of 6. He received his primary and secondary education in his hometown. His mother also had him take saxophone classes, however what he really was interested in was the conga. In 1946, he formed a band called Coamex but, a year later when he was 17 years old, his family to moved to New York City. The family rented an apartment in a Manhattan ghetto known as Spanish Harlem.
Rosario came into contact and played the conga for various orchestras. After he graduated from high school he continued his education and studied journalism and public relations. On one occasion Rosario visited the famed Palladium Ball Room in New York, where Tito Puente was playing the timbales. This was the beginning of his love affair with that instrument. He was 22 years old when he took classes with percussionist Henry Adler.
In 1959, Rosario organized his first band and played for three years in the Club Caborrojeño in New York. When not playing, he would work as a disc jockey for WADO, a Spanish speaking radio station in New York.
In 1962, he signed with the Alegre Record Label and traveled and performed with his band in Venezuela, Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Curaçao, U.S. Virgin Islands and all over the United States. He opened the Tropicana Club in New York in association with fellow Puerto Rican Bobby Valentin.
Among his best known compositions are "De Barrio Obrero a la Quince", "El Timbal de Carlitos", "Mi Amigo el Payaso" (My friend the Clown), "El Revendon", "Lluvia" (Rain), "Cuando No Hay Cariño" (When there's no Love). Plus, he also composed the following jazz tunes "Flip, flop", "Stop and go" and "My Favorite Thing".
Rosario also produced the following songs with the participation of Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tony Vega, Papo Lucca and Bobby Valentin; "Latin Jazz Go-Go-Go", "El Bravo soy Yo" (I'm the tough guy), "Too Too Much" and "Willie Rosario y su Ritmo".
Among the awards and recognitions bestowed upon Rosario are a nomination in 1987 for a Grammy Award for his song "Nueva Cosecha" (New Harvest), various Gold and Platinum Records, the Golden Agueybana Award, ACE, Diplo and Paoli Awards. In 2000, the Puerto Rican Senate paid tribute to Willie Rosario in recognition of his 40 years in the field of music. In 2002, Willie Rosario was inducted into The International Latin Music Hall of Fame.
Wllie Rosario's last production was "La Banda Que Deleita". He continues to play small venues in the San Juan area, having last been seen performing at Shots Bar & Grill in the Isla Verde Mall in late October 2006.
Recordando A Miguelito Valdes
Willie Rosario Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Con Todos Los Angelitos
El Gran Mister Babalú
El Glorioso Miguelito
Se Enmudecieron Los Cueros
Hay Tristeza En El Solar
Porque Murió Miguelito
Chéchere Bruca Maniguá Aé
Oye Chéchere Bruca Maniguá, Tu Ve
Cuando Se Oiga Una Tambora
O Se Le Canta A Changó
Allá Estará Miguelito
Inspirando Un Guaguancó
"COMO TU, NADIE JAMAS CANTÓ"
"COMO TU, NADIE JAMAS CANTÓ"
"COMO TU, NADIE JAMAS CANTÓ"
-Cantó Su Dolor Cobarde, Tambien El Caramelero,
Y Hasta El Pobre Limpiabotas, Hoy Llora Su Desconzuelo, Bendito
-Como Mister Babalú, Asi A Ti Te Bautizaron,
Llevaste Alegría A Toda América Latina, Siempre Fuiste Un Gran Hermano
-Que Dios Te Tenga En La Gloria Y, Si Tu Espíritu Me Escucha,
Que Oiga La Plegaria, De Un Amigo Que Te Quiere, Nunca Te Olvida
-Cuando Yo Oiga Una Tambora, O Se Le Canta A Changó,
Sabemos Que Allí Tu Estarás Presente, Mirando Un Guaguancó Miguelito
-Mucho Tenemos Y Mucho Tenemos Que Agradecerte
Los Cantantes De Hoy En Dia, Nos Enseñaste En Cantar En Salsa,
Ambiente y Sabiduría
-Chechere Bruca, Chechere Bruca, Bruca Maniguá, Esta Fue Tu Inspiración,
Cada Vez Que La Cantaste, Lo Hiciste De Corazón, De Corazón
-Nos Vamos A Despedir, Pero Que Se Sepa Y Quede Grabado,
Que Hiciste Historia En La Tierra Y, Siempre Serás Recordado Miguelito
The lyrics to Willie Rosario's song "Recordando A Miguelito Valdés" pay homage to the Afro-Cuban singer Miguelito Valdés, who was known as "El Gran Mister Babalú" and passed away. The first two lines in the song convey the idea that Miguelito has gone to live in heaven with all the little angels, implying that he was a virtuous and pure soul. The following lines describe the sadness and silence that filled the streets following Miguelito's death, and mention his signature song "Bruca Maniguá."
The chorus, which is repeated multiple times, emphasizes the unique and unparalleled singing ability of Miguelito. The song mentions that even the "cowardly singer" and the "shoeshine boy" are mourning his loss. The lines "Como Mister Babalú, así a ti te bautizaron" highlights Miguelito's unique style, which earned him the moniker "Mr. Babalú."
The final verse is a tribute to Miguelito's contributions to the development of salsa music, with lines like "Los cantantes de hoy en día, nos enseñaste en cantar en Salsa, ambiente y sabiduría" praising him for his innovation in the genre. Overall, the song celebrates Miguelito's legacy and praises him for his unique sound that resonated with Latin America.
Line by Line Meaning
Al Cielo Se Fue A Morar
Miguelito Valdes has passed away and gone to live in heaven with angels.
Con Todos Los Angelitos
He is now surrounded by angels.
El Gran Mister Babalú
Miguelito Valdes was also known as Mister Babalú.
El Glorioso Miguelito
He was a celebrated and revered performer in his time.
Se Enmudecieron Los Cueros
The drums are now quiet in mourning, symbolizing a great loss.
Hay Tristeza En El Solar
The community is saddened by Miguelito Valdes's passing.
Porque Murió Miguelito
The cause of sadness is due to the death of Miguelito Valdes.
El De Bruca Maniguá
Miguelito Valdes was known for his famous song Bruca Maniguá.
Chéchere Bruca Maniguá Aé
The line is a repetition of the title of the famous song Bruca Maniguá.
Oye Chéchere Bruca Maniguá, Tu Ve
The line is again a repetition of the title of the famous song Bruca Maniguá.
Cuando Se Oiga Una Tambora
Whenever a drum is heard in the future, Miguelito Valdes will live on in people's hearts.
O Se Le Canta A Changó
Whenever a song is sung in honor of the Afro-Cuban deity Changó, Miguelito Valdes will be present in spirit.
Allá Estará Miguelito
He will always be present in spirit whenever music is played in his honor.
Inspirando Un Guaguancó
His spirit will inspire the traditional Cuban dance, Guaguancó.
"COMO TU, NADIE JAMAS CANTÓ"
Miguelito Valdes was a unique and talented singer, and there will never be anyone like him again.
-Cantó Su Dolor Cobarde, Tambien El Caramelero,
Miguelito Valdes was a versatile vocalist who could sing both moving or light-hearted songs.
Y Hasta El Pobre Limpiabotas, Hoy Llora Su Desconzuelo, Bendito
Even the least fortunate members of society are saddened by the loss of Miguelito Valdes.
-Como Mister Babalú, Asi A Ti Te Bautizaron,
Miguelito Valdes was also known as Mister Babalú and this name became a part of his identity.
Llevaste Alegría A Toda América Latina, Siempre Fuiste Un Gran Hermano
Miguelito Valdes was beloved by all and brought joy to the entire Latin American region.
-Que Dios Te Tenga En La Gloria Y, Si Tu Espíritu Me Escucha,
The songwriter hopes that Miguelito Valdes is in the care of God and expresses a desire to connect with his spirit.
Que Oiga La Plegaria, De Un Amigo Que Te Quiere, Nunca Te Olvida
The songwriter is expressing their love for Miguelito Valdes and ensuring him that he will never be forgotten.
-Mucho Tenemos Y Mucho Tenemos Que Agradecerte
The songwriter is thanking Miguelito Valdes for his contributions to music and culture.
Los Cantantes De Hoy En Dia, Nos Enseñaste En Cantar En Salsa,
Miguelito Valdes taught many contemporary singers how to sing salsa.
Ambiente y Sabiduría
He taught them not just the technique, but also the spirit and wisdom of salsa music.
-Chechere Bruca, Chechere Bruca, Bruca Maniguá, Esta Fue Tu Inspiración,
The songwriter is repeating the title of Miguelito Valdes's famous song Bruca Maniguá as a tribute and acknowledgement of his inspiration.
Cada Vez Que La Cantaste, Lo Hiciste De Corazón, De Corazón
Whenever Miguelito Valdes sang Bruca Maniguá or any other song, he did it from the heart with all his passion and soul.
-Nos Vamos A Despedir, Pero Que Se Sepa Y Quede Grabado,
The songwriter is preparing to say goodbye but wants people to know that they will never forget Miguelito Valdes's legacy.
Que Hiciste Historia En La Tierra Y, Siempre Serás Recordado Miguelito
Miguelito Valdes's contributions to music and Latin American culture have left a lasting legacy that will always be remembered.
Contributed by Caleb T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.