Hector Juan Perez was born September 30, 1946 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, one of eight children. Luis Perez who played guitar with local trios and orchestras gave musical instruction to son Hector. Luis later enrolled Hector in the Juan Morel Campos Music School. His father had dreams of Hector becoming a great saxophonist. Although Hector learned the fundamentals of Spanish music, he soon lost interest in the instrument. He felt he did not play well.

As a youngster, Hector spent much of his time at the radio listening to and singing along to jibaro (Puerto Rican folk style or country) music. Hector dreamed of becoming a singer. As a youngster, Hector's favorite singers were Chuito El de Bayamon. Odilio Gonzalez, and Daniel Santos whose voices and styles he imitated. Other singers that greatly influenced Hector were fellow Poncenos, Cheo Feliciano and Ismael Rivera, and the clear voiced Ismael Quintana.

Unknown to his father, Hector would hang out with local musicians. By the age of 14, Hector was earning money as a singer in a 10-piece band in Puerto Rico. Eighteen dollars a night was good pay in 1960 for a fourteen-year-old to earn doing something he loved.

Hector dreamed of singing in New York and gaining fame and fortune. His father was totally against the idea because Hector's older brother had gone to New York and died of a drug overdose. His father questioned Hector's love for him and his beloved Puerto Rico and made it clear that he would no longer consider Hector his son, if he left. Against his father's wishes Hector arrived in New York on May 3, 1963 at the age of 17. He moved in with his sister Priscilla. The first order of business was to see Latin New York. He had an image of the 'big apple' as a splendid spot on the earth. He was disappointed to see the real New York with its run down buildings and garbage-strewn streets.

Shortly after his arrival, his boyhood friend, Roberto Garcia now living in New York, invited him to attend a rehearsal of a sextet that was forming. The vocalist was singing Tus Ojos. He wasn't doing a very good job so Hector suggested he try it another way. He sang the tune so the singer could make the necessary adjustments. The band immediately made Hector their lead singer.

A local promoter took Hector Perez under his wing. He wanted Hector to become a star. Hector admired Felipe Rodriguez a famous singer of romantic ballads. Rodriguez was nicknamed La Voz (the voice). In that vein, the promoter christened Hector with the stage name Lavoe, a derivative of La Voz.

In the 60s, Hector spent much of his time touring the Latin music scene. He was able to meet, mingle with, and befriend those in the business like musicians, singers, composers, arrangers, promoters, club owners, etc. Hector began playing with bands in New York like Kako and his All Stars. He later met and worked for two weeks with the great Dominican bandleader, Johnny Pacheco. Pacheco introduced Hector to a young, up-and-coming bandleader named Willie Colon. Willie was playing Latin jazz and boogaloo. The established musicians of the time considered Willie a kid with a bad sound. Pacheco was getting ready to have Colon record his first albumn for the Fania label. Willie who was looking for a lead singer liked Hector's clear voice, impeccable enunciation and stylistic abilities. In addition, Hector had an enormous talent for improvisation. That introduction led to a very successful musical union--one that was nearly instantaneous.

Pacheco created an image for Willie that was one of a bad boy, gangsterish, thug. The image caught on and was embraced by the public. In 1967 Hector and Willie recorded their first album for Fania, El Malo. Willie's band was young; mostly teenagers. They had a new sound and Hector in addition to being a great talent, was very charismatic. Audiences loved him. Hector was comical in his repartee with the audience and within his improvisations.

In addition, Hector would mingle with the audience during breaks. He never had a big ego and considered himself just like everyone else. He was entirely approachable and happy to sign autographs. He managed to maintain a connection to his audience and fans at all times. He considered himself a simple jibaro and was proud of that.

Ray Sepulveda, a well respected singer currently with RMM (Ralph Mercado Management) recalls an experience to dramatize this point. Ray as a teenager idolized Lavoe. He remembers an outdoor festival in Puerto Rico, (fiesta patronal) at which Lavoe performed. During a break, he noticed Lavoe casually chatting with friends and well wishers. Gathering his courage, he approached Lavoe to express his great admiration for him. He also confided his fondest dream was to become a singer. Lavoe in a very warm and friendly manner encouraged him to not only pursue his dream but to let nothing stop him in his quest. Sepulveda will never forget that encounter.

In 1967, Hector met Carmen Castro. By the next year, Carmen was pregnant. He proposed to Carmen and asked her to move to a house in Puerto Rico. She refused. Carmen considered Lavoe a womanizer. On Oct 30, 1968, Jose Alberto Perez was born. On the night of his son's baptism celebration, Nilda Rosado called Lavoe to say she was also pregnant. On Sept. 25, 1969 Hector Jr. was born. Hector eventually married Nilda. Although Carmen projected no malice towards Nilda and her son, the same could not be said of Nilda. She preferred that Hector maintain minimal contact with Carmen and their son.

Hector was introduced to drugs at a party. According to his own account there was a bowl of drugs on the table and he indulged along with others at the party. He became enamoured with the drugs (heroine) and was soon addicted. His drug abuse began seeping into his professional career. Hector began demonstrating irresponsible behavior. He would arrive to performances late. His adoring fans were happy so long as he arrived. They adored him and forgave him always. At his worst, he might not show at all. At other times, he might insult his band members or the audience.

By 1974, Hector's usage was out of control. The drugs caused his erratic behavior. The Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe orchestra was receiving bad publicity. The integrity of the band was being compromised. Willie tried to help Hector. Hector was weak for drugs and all of Colon's help and support could not produce the desired results or rendering Lavoe drug free. Willie felt he had no alternative and made the heart wrenching decision to disband his orchestra. Hector was crushed. He felt Willie had abandoned him.

The public was sorely disappointed to learn of the break up. Promoters around the world were clamoring to book Hector for appearances guaranteed to draw huge audiences. After all, Lavoe was to Salsa what Sinatra was to pop music. He may in fact be better compared to Tony Bennett known as the "singer's singer". The title "El Cantante de los Cantantes" was truly befitting Lavoe.

Hector was introduced to drugs at a party. According to his own account there was a bowl of drugs on the table and he indulged along with others at the party. He became enamoured with the drugs (heroine) and was soon addicted. His drug abuse began seeping into his professional career. Hector began demonstrating irresponsible behavior. He would arrive to performances late. His adoring fans were happy so long as he arrived. They adored him and forgave him always. At his worst, he might not show at all. At other times, he might insult his band members or the audience.

By 1974, Hector's usage was out of control. The drugs caused his erratic behavior. The Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe orchestra was receiving bad publicity. The integrity of the band was being compromised. Willie tried to help Hector. Hector was weak for drugs and all of Colon's help and support could not produce the desired results or rendering Lavoe drug free. Willie felt he had no alternative and made the heart wrenching decision to disband his orchestra. Hector was crushed. He felt Willie had abandoned him.

The public was sorely disappointed to learn of the break up. Promoters around the world were clamoring to book Hector for appearances guaranteed to draw huge audiences. After all, Lavoe was to Salsa what Sinatra was to pop music. He may in fact be better compared to Tony Bennett known as the "singer's singer". The title "El Cantante de los Cantantes" was truly befitting Lavoe.

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