Pioneering salsa artist Willie Colón dies at 75
Pioneering salsa trombonist, producer and activist Willie Colón has died aged 75, his record label Fania Records has confirmed.
The New York musician, who was of Puerto Rican origin, passed away on February 21st from respiratory failure, and leaves behind an incredible legacy thanks to an illustrious career that spanned almost 60 years.
Best known for his introduction of Latin American music into New York culture, Colón was able to spread his influence far beyond the community he was raised in through collaborations with musicians such as Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades and David Byrne.
Fania Records said of Colón in their official statement: “We are heartbroken by the passing of an icon whose sound transcended the dance floor and defined an era. A pillar of Fania Records, Willie helped bring Latin music from the streets of New York to audiences around the world. His music declared identity, pride, resistance, and joy. His music was not just heard; it was lived.”
Having been regarded as a prodigious talent from a young age, Colón received his first record deal at the age of 15, when his mother helped him to sign with Fania, and he released his debut album, El Malo in 1967 to widespread acclaim.
Over the course of his career, Colón managed to become the all-time leading salsa artist in terms of record sales, with his catalogue of over 40 albums having amassed in excess of 30million sales worldwide.
In addition to this, Colón was nominated 11 times for the Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, receiving a the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from the Latin Recording Academy in 2004, as well as having been inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame and the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Colón’s achievements were not just limited to his music, with him also having engaged with political and social justice from a young age, having gone on to hold various positions in local government in New York City, and having run for congress in 1994.
Colón is survived by his wife, Julia, and four children.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.