Willie Colón, the emblematic trombonist, composer and performer of iconic salsa songs such as idyll y Oh what will it be, and who had great successes with the singers Héctor Lavoe and Rubén Blades, died this Saturday at the age of 75, in a hospital in New York, his hometown.
“It is with deep 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. While we mourn his absence, we also rejoice in the eternal gift of his music and the cherished memories he created, which will live forever,” his family said in a statement.
“Our family is deeply grateful for your prayers and support during this time of mourning. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate our grief,” adds the document issued by those close to William Anthony Colón Román, the singer’s first name. The great manborn on April 28, 1950 in the Bronx neighborhood of New York.
The artist, also a poet, arranger, producer and musical director, began his musical career at the age of 16, when he recorded the album in 1967 The Bad together with Héctor Lavoe, forming one of the most influential salsa duos under the Fani label. Colón recorded hits like Moon Street, Sun Street, CheChe Cole y My lucky daybecoming a key figure in salsa in the seventies.
Colón established himself as one of the most relevant artists in the salsa musical genre with more than 32 recorded albums, nine Gold and five Platinum Records and the sale of more than eight million records in the world.