Willie Colón, trombone and salsa legend, dies at 75

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Willie Colón, a legendary trombonist and pioneer of salsa music, has died. He was 75.

His death on Saturday was confirmed in a Facebook post by his longtime manager, Pietro Carlos.

Over the past few days, reports about the singer’s health have been spreading online. According to Yonkers Voice News, Colón was hospitalized at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester in Bronxville, New York, on Tuesday due to breathing difficulties, and he seemed very weak.

Willie Colón was born in New York City on April 28, 1950, to Puerto Rican parents. He began playing the trumpet in school, a skill that felt like a good fit considering he’d previously played the bugle as a Boy Scout – an activity his grandmother encouraged him to join.

“So I could learn how to be a good boy,” said Colón in a 1988 interview with Associated Press.

By the time he was 13, Colón was already performing with a band, playing at weddings and in New York City’s lively nightclubs. He even managed to get a cabaret card – an official ID required for musicians and entertainers working in venues that served alcohol from 1940 to 1967 – despite being underage, as the card normally required performers to be at least 18 years old.

Colón was captivated by the vibrant Latin music scene in New York during the 1960s. He was particularly inspired by Eddie Palmieri, a leading figure in Latin jazz who played at the famous Palladium Ballroom and later formed the band La Perfecta. La Perfecta changed the sound of New York Latin music by using two trombones – played by Barry Rogers and Jose Rodriguez – instead of the traditional, and more expensive, four trumpets.

Colón initially favored other instruments, but that changed when he heard the rich sound of Mon Rivera’s trombone section playing to a bomba rhythm. “It was incredibly exciting,” Colón explained in a 1988 interview with the Associated Press, which inspired him to learn the trombone himself.

By the time he was 15, Colón had a record deal with Fania Records. Two years later, at 17, he released his first album, “El Malo.” This album became known for its powerful sound and helped shape the vibrant salsa scene in New York City, which Colón himself compared to the early days of rap music.

Colón earned the nickname “El Malo” (“The Bad One”) when veteran musicians playfully teased him about his limited trombone range. However, the young bandleader ultimately embraced the name and turned it into something positive.

On this album, Colón’s music shifted away from the refined mambo style of older big bands, largely thanks to the voice of Puerto Rican singer Héctor Lavoe. His raw vocals, like in the hard-hitting track “El Malo,” which threatens to confront anyone posing as something they’re not, were a key part of this change.

Over the course of their partnership, they released 14 albums by 1973. Lavoe’s knack for spontaneous creativity blended perfectly with Colón’s powerful and energetic trombone playing.

According to a 1992 interview with The Times, salsa music emerged from similar circumstances as rap. It was a blend of various influences. Hector, newly arrived from Puerto Rico, and I, a young New Yorker, didn’t share a common language, but we connected through a shared rebellious spirit. We started writing songs about street life, including tough characters, drugs, and relationships. Before that, Latin music typically focused on traditional themes like dancing, drumming, and rural life. We shifted the focus to an urban, contemporary culture.

Colón’s influence extended beyond his live performances. The cover of his album “El Malo” – featuring two stern portraits of the singer – established a rebellious, “bad boy” image that would define his career. This persona continued with his 1968 album, “The Hustler,” which showcased the band dressed in suits, smoking cigars, and gambling in a pool hall. His 1970 album, “Cosa Nuestra,” presented an even darker image, with Colón pictured smoking a cigar while overlooking a body in broad daylight along Manhattan’s East River. Perhaps most famously, the cover of his 1971 album, “La Gran Fuga,” showed Colón as the subject of a fake FBI “Most Wanted” poster.

Images of organized crime existed well before popular movies like “The Godfather” (1972) and “Scarface” (1983) shaped the way many male artists portray gangsters in their songs.

Colón and Lavoe parted ways by 1973, reportedly because Lavoe’s drug use caused him to miss many shows. Despite this, they continued to work together often until Lavoe’s death in 1993 from AIDS-related complications.

The Nuyorican musician first introduced Rubén Blades as the new vocalist for his orchestra. They had originally met years before while attending carnival celebrations in Panama. They briefly worked together on Colón’s 1975 album, “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly,” but truly solidified their musical partnership with the 1977 album “Metiendo Mano.” This album explored important social and political issues, most notably in the song “Pablo Pueblo,” which tells the story of a working-class man whose hopes are crushed by the hardships of everyday life. Another track, “Plantación Adentro,” recounted the story of Camilo Manrique, a fictional character based on an enslaved person who died at the hands of a Spanish colonizer in 1745.

This album marked a turning point for Rubén Colón, often seen as his first attempt at a more thoughtful and socially conscious style of salsa. This was largely thanks to Rubén Blades, a gifted storyteller with a passion for politics – he even ran for president of Panama in 1994, though unsuccessfully. Together, they created three albums, including the hugely popular “Siembra” from 1978. From the beginning, their song “Plastico” cleverly combined the sounds of disco with a message about beauty standards and prejudice based on skin color in Latin America.

In 1996, The Times reported that Willie Colón’s album “Siembra” featured energetic salsa music that expressed messages of hope and liberation during a period when many Latin American countries were under military rule.

Blades and Colón stopped working together by 1982, but they teamed up again for projects like their 2005 album, “Tras La Tormenta.” This album marked the first time the bandleader sang lead vocals, and he explained, “I had to start over, and it took years to gain confidence.”

Colón’s growing independence as an artist inspired some of his biggest hits, like his 1995 song “Talento de Televisión.” The lively track features his distinctive trombone and tells the story of a beautiful woman who isn’t very skilled at what she does.

As a critic, I remember when Willie Colón’s 1989 salsa hit, “El Gran Varon,” first hit the airwaves. It was a truly groundbreaking song, telling the story of a trans woman facing rejection and, tragically, likely succumbing to AIDS. For many in Latin America, it was a first – a mainstream salsa song tackling LGBTQ+ issues during a devastating health crisis. It wasn’t just a song; it was a moment. And it’s incredibly moving to know Colón later dedicated himself to AIDS advocacy through the Latino Commission on AIDS. Even now, “El Gran Varon” feels like an anthem, and its message sadly remains relevant.

Colón released more than 40 albums in all.

Beyond music, Colón also appeared in films like “Vigilante” (1982) and the sports drama “The Last Fight” (1983). He made guest appearances on popular TV shows such as “Miami Vice” and “The Cosby Show.” More recently, he was featured in Bad Bunny’s music video for “Nuevayol,” where he’s seen enjoying a slice of cake. Bad Bunny actually references Colón in the song’s lyrics, acknowledging him as a legendary figure who continues to thrive despite the passage of time – singing, “Willie Colón, they say I’m bad, because the years come and I’m still hitting.”

Later in life, he became more active in politics. He first ran for office in 1994, challenging Eliot Engel for a U.S. House seat in the Bronx, but lost the Democratic primary. In 2001, he ran for Public Advocate as a Democrat, campaigning on local issues, education, and raising awareness about AIDS, but wasn’t elected. In 2008, during the presidential primary, he publicly supported Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama.

After completing training at the Westchester County Police Academy on May 26, 2014, Colón joined the Department of Public Safety as a deputy sheriff and was later promoted to deputy lieutenant.

When Donald Trump became president, Colón began to support him and indicated he’d consider performing at the 2017 inauguration.

In 2018, Billboard recognized him as a hugely influential Latino artist. His passing led to an outpouring of sympathy and support throughout the Latin music community.

Oscar D’León, a famous salsa singer nominated for a Grammy, often performed with Colón as salsa became popular around the world. He considered Colón to be one of the key creators of the genre.

It’s incredibly hard to say goodbye to such a legend. Salsa music is grieving the loss of my wonderful brother and fellow musician, Willie Colón,” D’León shared on Instagram.

Willie’s impact on all of us is lasting. His trombone, with its distinctive and bold sound, revolutionized Latin music. He wasn’t just a talented trombonist; he essentially founded a new style of playing. And as a composer and arranger, he was a true master, a brilliant creator of salsa. He is, and will always be, one of the most important figures in our music.

Grupo Niche, a famous Colombian salsa band, was among the many Latin American musical groups who praised Héctor Colón’s impact on salsa, calling him a true cultural icon.

The orchestra’s Instagram post highlighted songs that defined entire generations, stories that became beloved classics, and a groundbreaking artistic impact that forever changed salsa music.

Marc Anthony, a hugely popular salsa singer and a fan of Héctor Lavoe, also shared a short tribute on Instagram.

Anthony thanked Plácido Domingo, calling him ‘Maestro’ and acknowledging his lasting impact. He wrote in Spanish, alongside a photo of them performing, ‘Your music will live forever.’

Colón is survived by his wife, Julia Colón, and his four sons and grandsons.

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2026-02-22 08:02