Willie Colon, a Luminary of Salsa, Dies at 75
willie colon died Saturday morning at the age of 75, his family said in a message posted on his social media accounts, a loss that followed a Friday period when the Puerto Rican artistic community had been asking for prayers as he received medical attention for reported respiratory complications.
Family statement and final hours
In a post on Facebook the family wrote, "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and renowned musician, Willie Colón. He departed peacefully this morning, surrounded by his loving family. " The statement added, "Although we mourn his absence, we also rejoice in the eternal gift of his music and the cherished memories it created, which will live on forever. " The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Willie Colon's early life and musical roots
William Anthony Colón Román was born April 28, 1950, in the South Bronx of New York City. His grandmother Antonia ("Toña") taught him to speak Spanish and instilled a Puerto Rican identity that his parents had lost on the streets of New York at a time when bilingualism "wasn't even a concept. " His formal musical education began with an elementary-school flute he secretly took home, moved to the bugle (which he began mastering at age 11), and then to the trumpet at 13, when he began taking lessons.
Partnership with Héctor Lavoe and breakthrough records
At 16 he recorded his first album, "El Malo, " with Héctor Lavoe in 1967, and the pair became one of the most important salsa duos on the Fania record label. With Lavoe, Colón's orchestra popularized songs including "Calle Luna, calle Sol, " "Abuelita, " "Ah, ah, oh, no, " "Ghana'e, " "El día de mi suerte, " "La murga" and "Juana Peña. " In 1969 his song "Che ché colé" — a Ghanaian tune set to a Puerto Rican bomba rhythm — became a salsa classic and a pivotal moment in the Afro-Caribbean presence in popular Latin American music.
Innovation, productions and solo work
In 1976 Colón produced the ballet "El baquiné de los angelitos negros, " launching what the coverage describes as his symphonic salsa era. He released albums as a singer including "The Good, Bad and The Ugly" and "Solo", and in 1979 launched his solo career. In 1977 he introduced Rubén Blades to the recording industry with the album "Metiendo mano" and later collaborated with Blades.
Discography, sales, awards and acting
Colón's discography includes more than 40 albums; he earned nine Gold Records and five Platinum Records and sold more than eight million records worldwide. He had 16 LPs to his credit, including collaborations with Héctor Lavoe, six LPs with Rubén Blades, and four with Celia Cruz. He was nominated eight times for Grammy Awards in the tropical music category and also acted in film and television productions such as "Vigilante, " "The Last Fight, " "Salsa, " "Miami Vice, " and the telenovela "La Intrusa. " His record a — unclear in the provided context.
Bad Bunny and other artists pay tribute
At his Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour stop in São Paulo, Brazil, Bad Bunny paid tribute onstage, saying, "This music is very special. It’s the influence of all of us who grew up listening to salsa in the Caribbean. Today, one of the great legends who contributed to this beautiful genre passed away, " before performing his song "NUEVAYoL, " which name-checks the salsa singer. Bad Bunny added, "From me and Los Sobrinos, we wish Willie Colón rests in peace. Much strength to his family. " The coverage notes that Colón was name-checked in the first verse of the LP Debí Tirar Más Fotos — "Willie Colón, me dicen 'еl malo, '" — a line that references Colón's 1967 debut album "El Malo. " The track "NUEVAYoL" is described as an homage to Nuyorican icons and samples Andy Montañez Rodrígue’s rendition of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico’s "Un Verano en Nueva York" against a dembow beat.
Reactions, politics and a prior exchange
Many fans noted that the salsa legend had right-wing views later in life and that his social media presence on Instagram and X included criticism of Bad Bunny. Still, upon the song's release Colón responded positively to being name-checked in a social media video, saying, "When I heard it, I was really surprised. The push it gave to salsa and to Boricuas, it’s something we all needed. " The coverage also records that Rubén Blades and Rauw Alejandro, among others, honored Colón with messages such as "Maestro, Thank You for Your Legacy. "
Other notes on the music pages and related items
The pages that covered the tribute included a range of sidebar and marketing items, including a headline for "Ben E. King’s 'Stand by Me': 21 Must-Hear Covers, " a prompt to sign up for a RollingStone newsletter and to follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and an item noting that "While music's biggest night took place in Los Angeles, many stars used the occasion to demonstrate against the administration's Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minneapolis. " The coverage also mentioned that "Yahoo asked fans to pick five must-hear songs for anyone new to Bad Bunny, " a brief note that "Even the UFC appeared tired of listening to Sean Strickland after UFC Houston, " that "Garcia captured the WBC welterweight championship with a one-sided win over Barrios on Saturday in Las Vegas, " and a line for a daily puzzle: "This game can be pretty tough, so we've got clues if you're stuck on today's puzzle, #987. "
Bad Bunny is noted as having closed a halftime show at Super Bowl LX with flags from countries in the Americas behind him; the coverage says he "conquered the Grammys stage on Sunday, and tonight, he'll be taking another one — this time, during Super Bowl LX. "
Funeral arrangements and other next steps for Colón are unclear in the provided context. The family statement posted on Facebook and the wave of tributes mark the immediate public response; musicians and fans will continue to react as more details about services and remembrances are announced.
