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Key moments and achievements from Willie Colón's life.
Willie was born
· New Rochelle, New York, U.S.
Record Deal
Willie Colon signed with Fania Records at just 15 years old and recorded his first album at 17, becoming one of the youngest artists on the legendary salsa label. Born in the South Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, he quickly established himself as a prodigious trombonist and bandleader.
Record Deal
Willie Colon signed with Fania Records at just 15 years old and recorded his first album at 17, becoming one of the youngest artists on the legendary salsa label. Born in the South Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, he quickly established himself as a prodigious trombonist and bandleader.
Creative Partnership
Colon's early partnership with vocalist Hector Lavoe helped set the template for Fania Records' hard-edged, streetwise presentation of salsa. Together they produced a series of landmark albums that defined the New York salsa sound and brought Latin music to mainstream audiences.
Creative Partnership
Colon's early partnership with vocalist Hector Lavoe helped set the template for Fania Records' hard-edged, streetwise presentation of salsa. Together they produced a series of landmark albums that defined the New York salsa sound and brought Latin music to mainstream audiences.
Performance Career
As a member of the legendary Fania All-Stars, Colon performed in historic concerts around the world, helping to popularize salsa music on a global scale. The collective, which included the top artists on the Fania label, became a cultural phenomenon that brought Latin music to audiences across the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
Performance Career
As a member of the legendary Fania All-Stars, Colon performed in historic concerts around the world, helping to popularize salsa music on a global scale. The collective, which included the top artists on the Fania label, became a cultural phenomenon that brought Latin music to audiences across the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
Landmark Album
Colon produced and performed on "Siembra" (1978) with Ruben Blades, which became the best-selling salsa album of all time. The album featured the iconic track "Pedro Navaja" and represented a fusion of salsa with socially conscious lyrics that elevated the genre to new artistic heights.
Landmark Album
Colon produced and performed on "Siembra" (1978) with Ruben Blades, which became the best-selling salsa album of all time. The album featured the iconic track "Pedro Navaja" and represented a fusion of salsa with socially conscious lyrics that elevated the genre to new artistic heights.
Career Achievement
Over his career spanning more than five decades, Colon sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. His recordings featured salsa combined with elements of jazz and rock, and his collaborations included Celia Cruz, Ismael Miranda, Ruben Blades, and David Byrne, making him one of the most commercially successful Latin music artists in history.
Career Achievement
Over his career spanning more than five decades, Colon sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. His recordings featured salsa combined with elements of jazz and rock, and his collaborations included Celia Cruz, Ismael Miranda, Ruben Blades, and David Byrne, making him one of the most commercially successful Latin music artists in history.
Willie Colón passed away
