Known to all the world as "El Cantante De Los Cantantes (The Singer of  All Singers)", Hector Lavoe is undoubtedly, the sonero who achieved the most acclaim during the "Golden Age of Salsa" in the 1970's. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Sept. 30, 1946, Lavoe emigrated to New York at the age of 16, in search of fame and fortune. He sang with many orchestra's upon his arrival to the Big Apple. It was not until 1967, when he teamed up with Willie Colon, that his career really took off. Through the combination of Lavoe's voice and musical training he received in Puerto Rico combined with the street-smart, more visceral knowledge of Willie Colon, the pair mixed the best of Puerto Rico and New York - expressing hard-core salsa, along with plenas, decimas, boleros, bombas, murgas, merengues, and rancheras.   

     Lavoe's stardom as a solo artist was in full swing and his band was busy working and traveling. But there were demons running around inside of him that would keep him from being totally happy. His emotional instability and drug addictions fueled unpredictable behavior that had fans flocking to his concerts just to see if he would make an appearance. His drug addictions left him at times weak enough to the point where he had to be carried onto the stage by his bandmates. Nevertheless, his shows were phenomenal to those who had the opportunity to see him live.

    In the 1980's, times were changing and so was the Latin music industry. Lavoe continued to put out albums, but they weren't successful as the previous ones. The pressure started to mount up, and the insecurities started to pop up again. His addiction to drugs grew worse and at times, he would have to miss shows as a result of it. Family problems and mismanagement from his accountants put Lavoe in a tailspin to the point where he had to be checked into a psychiatric clinic in Madrid, Spain to clear his head. The treatments worked for a time, but the hard drugs and bad luck took its toll on him. On Jun. 29, 1993, minutes before he was scheduled to perform a concert in his native Puerto Rico, Lavoe passed away. Hector Lavoe lived a life that was both brilliant and tragic at the same time. He left us way too soon to really reap the benefits of his greatness, and I hope this spotlight on him, does some justice. Without further adieu, here's the spotlight on one of my favorite singers in Salsa, Hector Lavoe. Enjoy and "lo lei lo li, lo lei lo li, lo lei lo li.