{"title":"Héctor Lavoe","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Héctor Lavoe\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHéctor Juan Pérez Martínez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on September 30, 1946. He moved to New York City in 1963 and quickly became central to the emerging salsa scene there. He joined Willie Colón's band in 1967 and they recorded together extensively across the late 1960s and early 1970s on Fania Records, producing the landmark catalog including El Malo (1967), Cosa Nuestra (1969), and Asalto Navideño (1971). He launched his solo career with La Voz (1975), continuing the Fania catalog. His later career involved personal tragedies including the deaths of close family members and his son, his HIV diagnosis, and his 1988 suicide attempt. He died from AIDS-related complications on June 29, 1993 at age 46. The 2006 biopic El Cantante starred Marc Anthony as Lavoe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHéctor Lavoe's sound is foundational to salsa as a recognized genre - combining salsa, salsa romantica, Latin jazz, son montuno, and Afro-Cuban traditions with his distinctive tenor vocal delivery and ability to improvise extended soneo passages. His work with Willie Colón and the broader Fania All-Stars defined New York salsa.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMultiple Willie Colón collaborations (1967-1973, Fania)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLa Voz (1975, Fania)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDe Ti Depende (1976, Fania)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComedia (1978, Fania)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecordando a Felipe Pirela (1979, Fania)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEl Sabio (1980, Fania)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVigilante (1983, Fania)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrikes Back (1987, Fania)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginal Fania pressings of the Héctor Lavoe catalog are foundational items in salsa and Latin music collecting. Multiple anniversary editions and reissue programs through Fania \/ Craft Recordings have made the catalog widely accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Héctor Lavoe typically start with La Voz (1975) or his collaborative work with Willie Colón. \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/latin-american-vinyl-records\"\u003eLatin American\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"hector-lavoe-la-voz-vinyl-180g","title":"La Voz LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eLa Voz is Hector's debut solo album after his split with Willie Colon and features many members from Willie's original band. His versatility as a vocalist and sonero is on display as he goes from boleros to Salsa with ease.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540904849591,"sku":"210000081300","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/hector-lavoe.jpg?v=1781154670"},{"product_id":"hector-lavoe-strikes-back-vinyl-180g","title":"Strikes Back LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eStrikes Back is legendary salsa singer Héctor Lavoe's GRAMMY-nominated 1987 solo album on Fania Records.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540905144503,"sku":"210000098331","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/lavie.jpg?v=1781154671"},{"product_id":"hector-lavoe-comedia-vinyl-180g","title":"Comedia LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eExperience the vibrant rhythms of Hector Lavoe's \"Comedia,\" his acclaimed third solo album originally released in 1978. Featuring unforgettable tracks like the iconic \"El Cantante\" and the poetic \"Songoro Cosongo,\" this remastered edition is pressed on 180-gram vinyl to deliver an exceptional auditory experience. Produced by the renowned Willie Colon, this collectible represents a significant piece of Latin American music history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48772776067255,"sku":"210000104887","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4496934-3538610.jpg?v=1782828381"},{"product_id":"hector-lavoe-de-ti-depende-vinyl","title":"De Ti Depende LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eDe Ti Depende (It's Up To You) is salsa legend Héctor Lavoe's second solo album, released on Fania Records in 1976, in which he steps out as the leader of his own orchestra for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785765302455,"sku":"210000092514","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4363929-3217905.jpg?v=1783045850"},{"product_id":"hector-lavoe-revento-vinyl-180g","title":"Revento LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eHector Lavoe's \"Revento\" LP is a landmark in salsa music, originally released in 1985 and now remastered on 180-gram vinyl. Notable tracks like \"¿De Que Tamaño Es Tu Amor?\" and \"La Fama\" keep this album a staple for any serious Latin music fan. With its AAA lacquers cut from the original master tapes, this edition delivers the punchy sound Lavoe is known for. This isn't just vinyl; it's a piece of music history that deserves a spot on your shelf.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785772937399,"sku":"210000091774","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4355916-3231373.jpg?v=1783045874"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/hector-lavoe.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}