Hector Lavoe

Hector Lavoe is one of the most popular salsa singers of the 20th century. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on September 30, 1946. He attended music school in Puerto Rico before moving to New York at age 17. Soon after arriving in New York, he began playing with local groups. He linked up first with Johnny Pacheco, and then finally with Willie Colon. Hector’s first big hits were recorded with Willie Colon’s band. Later he went on to form his own band and continued with his success.

But Hector became increasingly addicted to hard drugs, and by the early 80s his career was in decline. He died of AIDS in 1993. He is still loved and remembered today. There was a resurgence of interest in his music after the 2006 release of the movie El Cantante, which starred Marc Anthony as Lavoe.