The legendary musician Johnny Pacheco, passed away this Monday, February 15, 2021 at the age of 85 in a New York hospital. Co-founder of the legendary Latin music record company Fania and known as “El Padrino de la salsa”, Pacheco has composed over 150 songs.
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Posted on February 15, 2021 at 7:13 p.m., updated February 15, 2021 at 19:59
Johnny Pacheco, one of the founders of the iconic Latin music label Fania Records, died this Monday at the age of 85. He had been hospitalized in New Jersey for pneumonia.
Born in Santiago de los Caballeros (Dominican Republic) in March 1935, Johnny Pachéco had adopted the city of New York for his home.
His father was a conductor who played popular dance music, including the Cuban danzón, which is said to have influenced the young Pacheco’s musical career. Throughout his life he was characterized by his commitment to the development of the Latino community in the world.
Johnny Pacheco was a songwriter and musical arranger. He notably worked for Celia Cruz and Ruben Blades. As a producer, his vast musical knowledge of various Latin musical genres helped spark the rise of the Latin dance genre known as salsa.
An international scope
Pacheco has composed over 150 songs, many of which have become classics, such as “La Dicha Mía”, “Quitate Tu Pa’Ponerme I”, “Acuyuye” or “The King of Punctuality”.
Fania All Stars ft Oscar D’Leon, Milly Quezada, El Canario and others – Quitate Tu (Yo Soy La Salsa)
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On several stages of the world, salsero has performed as a guest artist with many American jazz and popular music legends including Quincy Jones, Stan Kenton, Tony Bennet, George Benson, Sammy Davis Jr., Ethel Smith and Steve Wonder.
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