Celia Cruz and Hector Lavoe
Their Passion for the Salsa
Iliana Urriola 3ndDRAFT

All Latin America people are proud of our tradition, culture and of course our music. Celia Cruz and Hector Lavoe two of the most influence artists of the Latin music of the all times. Their early lives in Puerto Rico and Cuba, famous life, tragedies as well the passion for the Salsa.

Ursula Hilaria Celia Cruz Alfonso de la Santisima Trinidad (Celia Cruz), one of the most popular salsa artists of the 20th century, was born in Santos Suarez in Havana, Cuba. She was the second child of the marriage Cruz-Alfonso. Celia, like the other teenagers girls of Cuba, was very happy, when her father said that she had to be a teacher. But, one of her teacher offered her a spot in the National conservatory of Havana Cuba. After her studies, Celia stared a new career. She had to participate in many auditions to get in salsa orchestras in her country. Finally, she got the opportunity to get into the famous orchestra, La Sonora Matancera. Even, thought her participation in the orchestra was a success. Celia became a solo singer. Where, Celia was working hard to be popular in Latin America. She was married with Pedro Knight. Like Celia, Pedro always said that Celia was his love. They were a happy couple. But they had a kids. Celia Cruz was called the queen of the salsa as well La Guarachera de Cuba. She won many awards thought her artistic life. One of those was in 1990 when she won a Grammy award. Another important moment in Celia’s life was when the President of United States gave to Celia the National Medal of Art of United States. In contrast, the most saddens chapter of her husband life was when she dead.. Celia was died on July 16, 2003, of a brain cancer at her house in New Jersey next to her husband Pedro. She was 77 year old. Latin America had very good memories about the Guarachera de Cuba. Her smile, unique voice and passion for the salsa..

However, Salsa music could be called Salsa without Celia Cruz and Hector Lavoe. Hector Lavoe was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He was a son of Luis Perez and Francisca Martinez, who died when Hector was only seven years old. After his mother dead, Hector start to attendant musical class at the town of Ponce in Puerto Rico. Similar to other Puerto Rican people, Hector decided to come to United Stated of America. He was moved to the city that never sleeps, New York, United State of America. Hector was seventeen years old, trying to make money to survive in the country. In 1967, Hector got the chance to work with Willis’s Colon Band. He was the band’s vocalist. At that time Hector became addicted to drug and alcohol. Hector was called the womanizer singer, and he had two son with different womans. Finally, Hector married Nilda Roman ( Puchi). She was his second wife. Hector is consider one of the best singer of salsa. He is like an icon in several location of Latin America. He is called the singers of singers. Hollywood took his biography to film a movie. His personal and professional life was playing by Marc Antony and Jenifer Lopez. Hector’s life, with his addition to drugs, alcohol and women, was out any control. The murder of his seventeen year old soon, the died of his dad, and also his diagnostic with HIV pushed him to the limit and he try to take his life away. He attempt suicide two times jumping from the floor number nine in a hotel in Puerto Rico. After that half of his body was paralyzed. Finally Hector Lavoe was died on June 29, 1993 in the New York City Hospital. The cause of his died was AIDS. He was buried in the Bronx. But in 2002 his body has taken to Puerto Rico like his wish before his died.

In conclusion, Both artist left a legacy to salsa worthy of respect for the next generations. They had with different personal lives, but with the same approach: Their love and passion for the salsa.