William Anthony Colón Román, better known as Willie Colón, has died. He was 75 years old.
Colón, an American salsa legend, trailblazing trombonist, vocalist, and composer, passed away today in New York City. The news was confirmed in a statement released by his family.
“While we grieve his absence, we also rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories he created that will live on forever,” the family shared on Colón’s Facebook page.
Born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Colón was behind dozens of albums, including La Gran Fuga (The Big Break) in 1970 and El Juicio (The Judgment) 1972. Perhaps his most influential album, Siembre (Snowing), was recorded and released with Rubén Blades in 1978 and remains a landmark work in salsa music.
Blades shared an emotional post in Instagram.
“I have just confirmed what I was resisting to believe: Willie Colón has indeed passed away. To his wife Julia, his children, family, and loved ones, I send my heartfelt condolences. Later, and with calm, I will write about Willie and his vital and important musical legacy,” he wrote.
In the last year of his life, Colon collaborated with Bad Bunny on the star’s music video for “Nuevayol,” even referencing the legend and his first album in the lyrics. The partnership served as a bridge between generations, highlighting the enduring legacy of Colon.
View this post on InstagramMarc Anthony, who portrayed Hector Lavoe, a regular collaborator of Colon’s, in the biopic El Cantanet (2006), also shared a tribute on Instagram. Taking to his Instagram Stories, he shared a photo of the two playing together.
“Maestro, thank you for your legacy. Your music lives on forever. R.I.P. Willie.” he wrote alongside the image.
According to Colón's biography on the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association website, Colón signed with record label Fania at age 15 and released his first album, El Mal, two years later. The album sold more than 300,000 copies. A jazz, rock, and salsa musician, Colón was known to blend rhythms of traditional music from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Africa into his songs.
In 2004, Colón received a lifetime achievement award from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, per CNN. The group took to Instagram to honor Colón.
“Today, we bid farewell with deep sadness to salsa legend Willie Colón — singer-songwriter, trombonist, arranger, and producer — recognized with our Award for Musical Excellence,” the institution wrote. “His legacy transformed salsa by turning it into a global phenomenon, establishing a sound and aesthetic that defined an era and continues to inspire generations of artists. Rest in peace.”.
Per his bio, Colón was also an avid social activist, member of the Latino Commission on AIDS and the United Nations Immigrant Foundation, and a board member at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
Colón's cause of death has not been released.
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