Felipe Rodríguez (singer)
Luis Felipe Rodríguez | |
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Also known as | "La Voz" |
Born | May 8, 1926 Caguas, Puerto Rico |
Died | May 26, 1999 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
Genres | Bolero |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Labels | Fania Records |
Luis Felipe Rodríguez, better known as Felipe "La Voz" Rodríguez, (May 8, 1926 – May 26, 1999) born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, was a singer of boleros. He is regarded as the most popular Puerto Rican male singer of the 1950s based on record sales and live audience records. Many of Rodríguez's recordings are often considered to be classics in Puerto Rico.[1]
Early years
Rodríguez was born in the Savarona section of Caguas, the son of a
"La Voz" (The Voice)
In 1950, Rodríguez left the trio and tried different projects, such as forming or joining other trios (particularly the Trío Los Antares), duos (he formed the "Dúo Pérez-Rodríguez" with his then wife, and continued his professional relationship with her long after their divorce) and singing solo. He was given the nickname, "La Voz" (The Voice), a name which was to stay with him for the rest of his life, by Puerto Rican radio announcer Mariano Artau. Héctor Lavoe's stage name was based on Rodríguez's nickname.[2]
United States tour
Rodríguez went on tour in the United States where he broke the attendance and ticket records previously set for the
In 1965, Rodríguez became the first Puerto Rican to sing the Puerto Rican national anthem, La Borinqueña, at a sporting event, celebrated at the Madison Square Garden in New York City, where fellow Puerto Rican José "Chegui" Torres won the World Light Heavyweight boxing title in a fight against Willie Pastrano which was televised coast to coast in the United States. Rodríguez had himself been an amateur boxer in his youth as well as an occasional referee at amateur boxing matches, and was a scout for young boxing talent.[1]
Radio Show
Back in Puerto Rico, Rodríguez started his own radio program at radio station WITA-AM in San Juan, called "Éste es tu disco" (This is your record). In 1973, Rodríguez and Davilita paired again to record "Canciones de
Recordings
External audio | |
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You may listen to Felipe Rodríguez sing "La ultima copa " on YouTube |
In 1952, he recorded the following songs:
- "La Ultima Copa" (The Last Drink) crossoverhits Rodríguez and others recorded),
- "Golondrina Viajera" (Traveling Swallow),
- "Los Reyes no Llegaron" (The Three Wise Mendid not Arrive), a poignant Christmas song written by Esteban Taronjí, and
- "Esta Navidad" (This Christmas)
all of which became hits and are now considered as classics in Puerto Rico.[1]
Later years
In the 1980s, Rodríguez continued to record and had hits with "Por Primera Vez" (1983) (For the First Time) and "Juntos otra Vez" (1986) (Together Again). In 1987, he was able to realize one of his dreams when he performed at the
Later in the 1990s, he suffered a fall from a step ladder in his home in Carolina, Puerto Rico, which hurt his back. Eventually the fall complicated with a pneumonia and contributed to his death. Felipe "La Voz" Rodríguez died on May 26, 1999, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was buried at Cementerio Parque de Luz in his hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico.[1]
Rodriguez was also, along with Rickin Sánchez and three others, one of the original organizers of the Puerto Rican boxing Commission. [3]
Legacy
The city of Caguas named the main auditorium of its own Center for Performing Arts as the Felipe Rodríguez Hall. A book written by music historian Pedro Malavet Vega "La Vellonera esta directa" has been written, chiefly about Rodríguez's life, and using his career trajectory as a backdrop and timetable for many other cultural and sociological events that occurred in Puerto Rico between the late 1940s and early 1960s.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Puerto Rican Popular Culture". Archived from the original on 2014-07-04. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
- ^ a b c d "Music of Puerto Rico". Archived from the original on 2010-02-19. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
- ^ https://www.pressreader.com/puerto-rico/el-nuevo-dia1/20161021/282278139865998