Artist Bio:
Rarely does one encounter stellar success without trial and tribulation, but the life and career of Salsa legend Hector Lavoe was the epitome of triumph and tragedy. As one of the genre's most beloved stars, Lavoe became crowned "El Cantante de los Cantantes" (The Singer of all Singers), and brought millions of salsa music fans years of joy through his performances and recordings. Yet the rollercoaster life of the embattled singer proved more powerful than his musical gifts.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, in 1946, Hector Juan Pérez began his musical journey singing the traditional jíbaro music of his homeland, and would be greatly influenced by other legendary Puerto Rican singers such as Ismael Rivera, Daniel Santos and Cheo Feliciano, among others. As a teenager enrolled in the Juan Morel Campos Music School, Hector would secretly hang out with local musicians, beginning stints as a singer with local bands. Against the desires of his father, Hector left for New York in 1963 to seek fame and fortune. A fortuitous meeting with a local promoter led to the christening of Hector's stage name, Hector Lavoe (a reinterpretation of the words "la voz" or "the voice").
Soon, Lavoe was introduced to pioneering salsa musician, composer and producer Johnny Pacheco (founder of Fania Records), who paired Lavoe with the now-legendary Willie Colón for what would be one of salsa music's first powerful collaborations. Unfortunately, Lavoe soon discovered the temptation of New York's drug scene, and he became addicted to heroin while in the midst of his successful career. The balancing act of the music and drug life soon saw Lavoe embarking on a solo career as his colleagues could no longer rely on his consistency. Still, his fans continued to adore and support him—even when his drug use caused tardiness or a failure to appear at concerts.
Lavoe's singing talents along with his remarkable improvisational abilities and friendly demeanor made him one of salsa's most beloved artists. His most memorable recordings include "Mi Gente," "Hacha y Machete" and "El Periódico de Ayer," and his concerts were often sell-outs at venues such as Madison Square Garden. His 1977 album Comedia included the hit song "El Cantante" ("The Singer"), composed for Lavoe by salsa icon Rubén Blades, and the record eventually reached platinum status.
Despite his success, Lavoe's drug dependence and battles with depression found him sinking deeper into despair; although he entered rehabilitation numerous times and sought spiritual advice and healing, Lavoe could not conquer his demons. In the late 1980s, a series of personal tragedies, including the deaths of his mother and his son Hector Jr. pushed him to the brink. While he had success in1988 with the Grammy-nominated album Hector Strikes Back, Lavoe would soon find out he had contracted AIDS as a result of his intravenous drug use.
Upon his return to Puerto Rico for a performance, Lavoe fell from his nine-story hotel room, leading many to believe he had attempted suicide. Although he survived, his wheelchair-ridden body could not hide the inevitable scars of his worsening health, and while even making several appearances in the early '90s, Lavoe lost his battle with AIDS in June 1993. He will always be regarded as one of Salsa music's greatest soneros (soulful interpreters) of all time. —Rebeca Mauleon
