Hctor Juan Prez Martnez (September 30, 1946 June 29, 1993),[2] better known as Hctor Lavoe, was a

Puerto Rican salsa singer. Lavoe was born and raised in the Machuelito sector of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Early in
his life, he attended a local music school and developed an interest inspired by Jess Snchez Erazo. He moved
to New York City when he was 17 years old.[3] On his first week living in the city, he worked as the vocalist of a
sextet formed by Roberto Garca.[3] During this period, he performed with several other groups, including
Orquesta New York, Kako All-Stars, and the Johnny Pacheco band.
In 1967, Lavoe joined Willie Coln's band and performed as the band vocalist. With the Willie Coln band, Lavoe
recorded several hit songs, including "El Malo" and "Canto a Borinquen". While working with the Willie Coln
band, Lavoe became addicted to drugs and began to be late habitually when scheduled to perform with the
band. Coln eventually decided to not work with Hector on stage but they still remained good friends and made
music in the studio together. Lavoe moved on to become a soloist and formed his own band, where he
performed as lead vocalist. As a soloist Lavoe recorded several hits including "El cantante", "Bandolera" and
"Peridico de ayer" ("El Cantante" was composed by Ruben Blades, "Bandolera" by Coln and "Peridico" by
Tite Curet Alonso.) During this period he was frequently featured as an invited vocalist in the Fania All Stars, and
recorded numerous tracks with the band.
In 1979, Lavoe underwent a deep depression and sought the help of a high priest of the Santera faith to attend
to his drug addiction. After a short rehabilitation, he relapsed following the deaths of his father, son and mother in
law.[2] These events, along with being diagnosed with HIV, affected Lavoe to the point of attempting suicide by
jumping off the balcony of a hotel room. Lavoe survived and recorded an album before his health began failing.
Lavoe died on June 29, 1993, from a complication of AIDS
In late 1970, Coln and Lavoe recorded the first of two "Asalto Navideo" albums, featuring Puerto Rican folk
songs such as Ramito's jibaro song "Patria y Amor" (renamed "Canto a Borinquen") and original compositions.
While enjoying his newly found success, Hctor became severely addicted to narcotics, namely heroin, and
prescription drugs. His addiction resulted in him showing up late for gigs, and he eventually did not show up to
some scheduled performances at all. Although Coln would eventually cut ties with him, he tried to help Lavoe
seek assistance to try to quit his drug habit.[citation needed]
Hector Lavoe performing in New York City circa 1985.
Lavoe's lack of professionalism was often balanced by an affable onstage presence, very much resembling that
of a stand-up comedian.[14] Another famous incident has a middle-aged audience member at a dance request a
Puerto Rican danza from Coln's band, to which Lavoe responded with an insult.[14] The requester then gave
Lavoe such a beating that he almost ended up in the hospital. The request was finally honored in a later Coln
record, "El Juicio" (The Trial), when he added a danza section to the Rafael Muoz song "Soando despierto",
which Lavoe introduces with a deadpanned: "Para t, Motherflower!" (a euphemism for "This one's for you,
motherfucker!")[14]
The Coln band had other major hits, such as "Calle Luna, Calle Sol", and the santera influenced "Aguanil"; a
Pacheco song recorded in the studio by the band, "Mi Gente", was better known in a live version Lavoe later
recorded with the Fania All Stars
Following his rehabilitation, Lavoe's life was plagued by tragic events, emotional turmoil, and pain.[13] Both his
mother-in-law and father died, and his seventeen-year-old son Hctor, Jr. was accidentally shot by a friend. Also,
Lavoe was diagnosed with HIV, the virus that can progress to AIDS. These events would push him to the limit.
On the night of Saturday, June 25, 1988, Hctor was scheduled to perform at the Rubn Rodrguez Coliseum in
Bayamn, Puerto Rico. Sales for the concert were low, and Ralph Mercado who was the promoter of the event
decided to cancel the concert.[2] Hctor, defiant to the end and knowing that it would be one of the last times he
would perform in Puerto Rico, decided, against the promoter's wishes, to perform in front of the public who had
paid to see the now canceled concert.[2]
The next day, on June 26, 1988, Hctor attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the ninth floor of the
Regency Hotel Condado in Puerto Rico.[10] No reason for this was ever determined. He survived the attempt,
but from that day forward, he would never completely recover as AIDS began to ravage his body due to the use
of intravenous drugs and shared needles.[2]
In 1990, Hctor gave his last large, public performance (with the Fania All Stars) in New Jersey.[9] It was meant
to be his comeback concert, but Hctor could not even sing a few notes of his famous song "Mi Gente".[9] It is
believed his final public performance was a brief appearance at the club S.O.B.'s in New York City, in April 1992.
Hctor died on June 29, 1993, at a hospital in New York City. The cause of death was diagnosed as a
complication caused by AIDS."[3] He was initially buried in a plot in Saint Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx. In
June 2002, the bodies of both Lavoe and his son (who died in 1987) were exhumed per his family's request.
They were reburied in his native Ponce, along with his widow Nilda who died a few weeks beforehand. Lavoe's

remains are at the Cementerio Civil de Ponce (Ponce Civil Cemetery), in that city's Barrio Segundo
neighborhood.
Posthumous recognitions:
Lavoe's life has served as inspiration for two biographical films. The first, El Cantante, is produced by two of the
most prominent celebrities in the musical genre: salsa artist Marc Anthony, stars as Lavoe, and Jennifer Lopez
as Hector's wife, Nilda (known as "Puchi" by close friends).[18] Salsa singer La India was also producing her
own biopic of Lavoe's life, entitled The Singer, with actor Raul Carbonell in the lead role.[19] This movie's
production was suspended in August 2008, after the director, Anthony Felton, reported that the budget destined
for the project had reached its limit. In response, Carbonell noted that he would reconsider his involvement in the
production if the work is resumed.[20]
Besides these films, an Off-Broadway production of his life titled Quin mat a Hctor Lavoe? (Who Killed
Hector Lavoe?) was a success in the late 1990s.[21] It starred singer Domingo Quiones in the lead role.[22]
Carbonell's decision to distance himself from the film was directly influenced by his involvement in a tour of
Quien Mato a Hctor Lavoe? in Puerto Rico, which was undergoing negotiations to be presented in Peru and
Colombia.[20][23] An urban tribute album was released in late 2007 and was performed by several reggaeton
artists such as Don Omar while resampling Lavoe's voice.
Hctor Juan Prez Martnez (30 septiembre 1946 a 29 junio 1993) [2], ms conocido como Hctor Lavoe, era un
salsero puertorriqueo. Lavoe naci y se cri en el sector Machuelito de Ponce, Puerto Rico. Al principio de su
vida, asisti a una escuela de msica local y desarroll un inters inspirado por Jess Snchez Erazo. [3] Se
mud a Nueva York cuando tena 17 aos de edad. [3] En su primera semana de estar en la ciudad, trabaj
como vocalista de un sexteto formado por Roberto Garca. [3] Durante este perodo, se realiz con varios otros
grupos, entre ellos Orquesta Nueva York, Kako All-Stars, y la banda de Johnny Pacheco.
En 1967, Lavoe se uni a la banda de Willie Coln y actu como vocalista de la banda. [4] Con la banda de
Willie Coln, Lavoe grab varios xitos, entre ellos "El Malo" y "Canto a Borinquen". Mientras trabajaba con la
banda de Willie Coln, Lavoe se convirti en adicto a las drogas y empez a llegar tarde habitualmente cuando
se programa para llevar a cabo con la banda. Coln finalmente decidi no trabajar con Hctor en el escenario,
pero todava segua siendo buenos amigos y hacer msica juntos en el estudio. Lavoe pas a ser solista y
form su propia banda, donde actu como vocalista. [4] Como solista Lavoe grab varios xitos como "El
cantante", "Bandolera" y "Peridico de ayer" ("El Cantante" fue compuesta por Rubn Blades, "Bandolera" de
Coln y "Peridico" de Tite Curet Alonso.) Durante este periodo fue presentado con frecuencia como vocalista
invitado en la Fania All Stars, y grab numerosas canciones con la banda. [3]
En 1979, Lavoe se someti a una profunda depresin y busc la ayuda de un alto sacerdote de la Santera para
atender a su adiccin a las drogas. Despus de un corto de rehabilitacin, volvi a caer tras la muerte de su
padre, el hijo y la madre en la ley. [2] Estos acontecimientos, junto con ser diagnosticado con VIH, afectados
Lavoe hasta el punto de intentar suicidarse saltando desde el balcn de una habitacin de hotel [2]. Lavoe
sobrevivi y grab un lbum antes de que su salud comenz fallando. Lavoe muri el 29 de junio de 1993, de
una complicacin del SIDA
A finales de 1970, Coln y Lavoe grab el primero de dos "Asalto Navideo" lbumes, con canciones populares
en Puerto Rico como jbaro cancin de Ramito "Patria y Amor" (el nombre de "Canto a Borinquen") y
composiciones originales. [12]
Mientras disfruta de su xito recin descubierto, Hctor hizo seriamente adicto a los narcticos, a saber, la
herona, y medicamentos con receta. [13] Su adiccin dio lugar a l llegar tarde a conciertos, y que finalmente
no se present a algunas actuaciones programadas en absoluto. Aunque Coln finalmente cortar lazos con l,
trat de ayudar a Lavoe solicite asistencia para tratar de dejar su adiccin a las drogas. [Cita requerida]
ESPAOL:
Hector Lavoe realizando en la ciudad de Nueva York alrededor de 1985.
La falta de profesionalidad de Lavoe a menudo compensada por un afable escenario presencia, muy parecida a
la de un comediante stand-up. [14] Otro incidente famoso tiene un miembro de la audiencia de mediana edad en
una solicitud de la danza una danza puertorriquea de la banda de Coln, a que Lavoe respondi con un
insulto. [14] El solicitante dio entonces Lavoe tal paliza que casi acab en el hospital. La solicitud fue finalmente
honrado en un registro Coln despus, "El Juicio" (El proceso), cuando aadi una seccin a la danza Rafael
Muoz cancin "Soando despierto", que Lavoe se presenta con una cara de palo: "Para ti, Motherflower! " (Un
eufemismo para "Esto es para ti, hijo de puta!")
La banda de Coln tuvo otros xitos importantes, como "Calle Luna, Calle Sol", y la santera influencia
"Aguanile", una cancin Pacheco grabado en el estudio de la banda, "Mi Gente", fue ms conocido en una

versin en vivo Lavoe ms tarde graban con la Fania All Stars

Tras su rehabilitacin, la vida de Lavoe estuvo plagado de acontecimientos trgicos, la inestabilidad emocional y
el dolor. [13] Tanto su madre-en-ley y su padre muri, y su hijo Hctor de diecisiete aos de edad, Jr. fue
asesinado accidentalmente por un amigo . Adems, Lavoe se le diagnostic el VIH, el virus que puede
convertirse en SIDA. Estos eventos podran empujarlo hasta el lmite. [13]
En la noche del sbado 25 de junio de 1988, Hctor estaba programado para presentarse en el Coliseo Rubn
Rodrguez de Bayamn, Puerto Rico. Las ventas para el concierto fueron bajas, y Ralph Mercado, que fue el
promotor del evento decidieron cancelar el concierto. [2] Hctor, desafiante hasta el final y sabiendo que sera
una de las ltimas veces que se realice en Puerto Rico, decidi, en contra de los deseos del promotor, para
llevar a cabo ante el pblico que haba pagado para ver el concierto ahora cancelado. [2]
Al da siguiente, el 26 de junio de 1988, Hctor trat de suicidarse saltando desde el noveno piso del Regency
Hotel Condado en Puerto Rico. [10] se determin jams No hay razn para esto. l sobrevivi el intento, pero
desde ese da en adelante, nunca se recuperara por completo como el SIDA empez a devastar su cuerpo
debido al uso de drogas intravenosas y compartir agujas. [2]
En 1990, Hctor dio su ltimo, la ejecucin pblica de gran tamao (con la Fania All Stars) en Nueva Jersey. [9]
Se supona que deba ser su concierto de regreso, pero Hctor ni siquiera poda cantar algunas notas de su
famosa cancin "Mi Gente ". [9] Se cree que su ltima actuacin pblica fue una breve aparicin en el club SOB
de la ciudad de Nueva York, en abril de 1992. [16]
Hctor muri el 29 de junio de 1993, en un hospital de la ciudad de Nueva York. La causa de la muerte fue
diagnosticada como "una complicacin causada por el sida". [3] Inicialmente fue enterrado en una parcela en el
cementerio de Saint-Raymond en el Bronx. En junio de 2002, los cuerpos de ambos Lavoe y su hijo (que muri
en 1987 ) fueron exhumados por la peticin de su familia. Fueron enterrados de nuevo en su Ponce natal, junto
con su Nilda viuda que murieron unas semanas antes restos. de Lavoe se encuentran en el Cementerio Civil de
Ponce (Ponce Cementerio Civil), en el barrio de Barrio Segundo de esa ciudad. [17]
Reconocimientos pstumos [editar]
La vida de Lavoe ha servido de inspiracin para dos pelculas biogrficas. El primero, El Cantante, es producido
por dos de los personajes ms destacados en el gnero musical:. Salsero Marc Anthony, estrellas como Lavoe y
Jennifer Lopez como la esposa de Hctor, Nilda (conocido como "Puchi" por los amigos cercanos) [18 ] Salsa
cantante La India tambin estaba produciendo su propia pelcula biogrfica de la vida de Lavoe, titulado El
cantante, con el actor Ral Carbonell en el papel principal. [19] La produccin de esta pelcula fue suspendido
en agosto de 2008, despus de que el director, Anthony Felton, inform que el presupuesto destinado para el
proyecto haba llegado a su lmite. En respuesta, Carbonell seal que reconsiderara su participacin en la
produccin, si el trabajo se reanuda. [20]
Adems de estas pelculas, la produccin Off-Broadway de su vida titulado Quien mat a Hctor Lavoe?
(Quin mat a Hctor Lavoe?) Fue un xito a finales de 1990. [21] Es protagonizada cantante Domingo
Quiones en el papel principal. [22] La decisin de Carbonell para distanciarse de la pelcula fue influenciado
directamente por su participacin en una gira por Quien Mato a Hctor Lavoe? en Puerto Rico, que estaba
pasando por las negociaciones que se presentarn en el Per y Colombia. [20] [23] Un lbum tributo urbano fue
lanzado a finales de 2007 y fue realizada por varios artistas de reggaeton como Don Omar, mientras que volver
a muestrear la voz de Lavoe.