About the Artist
WILLIE COLON Like many of his boricua compatriots, Willie Colón was born and raised in the heart of the Latin neighborhood of the Bronx. It was this very neighborhood where he drank from the fountain of teen angst, sharing with his compatriots his sorrows and aspirations. This inspired in him a profound devotion to his cultural roots. Musician, composer, arranger, singer, producer, director, and community leader: Colón wore all of these hats, gaining recognition as both an artist and a human being. He started out in the music business at such a young age that his mother had to sign his first contract for him. Ever since then his career has covered all facets of music, as proven by his prolific discography, which boasts more than 30 million records sold. Such sales earned him countless gold and silver-selling albums, as well as several Grammy nominations. Colón is also known for his participation on albums with such names as Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Héctor Lavoe, and many others. Willie Colón, known for his excellence, and well aware of the power and influence he held over the mass media, established himself as a civil- and community-rights leader. For his contributions, he won recognition and awards, such as the plaque that bears his name on the Bronx's "Walk of Fame." It was this very city that was birthplace and home to many of his compatriots who came to the United States in search of a better future.
Como muchos de sus compatriotas boricuas, Willie Colón nació y creció en el corazón del barrio latino del Bronx, New York. El mismo barrio en el que bebió la savia más pura de sus inquietudes juveniles, compartiendo con los suyos quebrantos y aspiraciones que le inculcaron una profunda devoción por sus raíces culturales. Músico, compositor, arreglista, cantante, productor, director y líder comunitario, es la trayectoria que le ha dado reconocimiento como ser humano y artista. Se inició en la música a tan temprana edad que su madre tuvo que firmar su primer contrato por él. Desde entonces, su carrera siempre ascendente cubrió todas las facetas de la música, como consta su prolífica discografía, con un total de más de treinta millones de discos vendidos por los que se le han concedido infinidad de Discos de Oro y Platino, y varias nominaciones para optar por el codiciado premio Grammy. Se ha destacado también por colaborar en producciones con grandes nombres en el ámbito musical como: Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Héctor Lavoe, entre otros muchos. Willie Colón, solidario por excelencia y consciente del poder e influencia que ejerce en los medios de comunicación masiva, se ha erigido líder por los derechos civiles y comunitarios, por lo que ha recibido premios y reconocimientos como la placa que lleva su nombre instalada en el "Paseo de la Fama" en el Bronx. El mismo barrio, hogar y cuna de muchos de sus compatriotas llegados a estas tierras con la esperanza de un futuro mejor.
Product Description
Willie Colón's musical legacy as a "hit" maker of Afro-Caribbean music is celebrated in this definitive collection of some of his biggest hits that spanned a career including 40 musical productions, 11 Grammy nominations, and more than 30 million records sold.
This album contains sixteen cuts that the bandleader/trombonist and composer recorded for the Fania label. On Greatest Hits you will find memorable "Salsa" classics, such as "Che Che Colé," "Calle Luna Calle Sol," "El Dia De Suerte," "La Murga," "Ah-Ah/O-No" and "Aguanilé." These are songs that he recorded for solo albums and records he produced for the Puerto Rican great Héctor Lavoe. The album also includes hits from his famous collaborations with Rubén Blades ("Pablo Pueblo" and "Ojos")as well as songs from his later albums ("Oh Que Sera," "Tiempo Pa' Matar" and "El Gran Varón.")
Greatest Hits is a fine introduction to Colon's catalog.
