The ‘King of Salsa’ Silenced

The ‘King of Salsa’ Silenced: Willie Colón, Architect of Urban Latin Music, Dies at 75

NEW YORK — The trombone that defined the "Nuyorican" sound has fallen silent. Willie Colón, the legendary trombonist, composer, and social activist who pioneered the urban salsa movement, passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday 21st February. He was 75.

His family confirmed the news in a heartbreaking statement shared to his official social media pages, stating that the "Bad Boy of the Bronx" was surrounded by his loved ones at the time of his passing. While an official cause of death has not been released, local reports indicate Colón had been hospitalized in New York just a day prior for acute respiratory complications.

The Voice of the Streets

Born in the South Bronx in 1950 to Puerto Rican parents, William Anthony Colón Román became a self-taught virtuoso who didn't just play music—he weaponized it. At just 17, he signed with Fania Records and released El Malo, an album that blended jazz, rock, and traditional rhythms into a gritty, urban chronicle of New York street life.

Colón’s career was defined by era-defining collaborations:

• The Lavoe Era: His partnership with Héctor Lavoe in the 1960s and 70s produced staples like "Calle Luna, Calle Sol" and "Aguanile," creating the "outlaw" aesthetic of early salsa.

• The Blades Era: In 1978, he teamed up with Rubén Blades for Siembra, which remains one of the best-selling salsa albums in history and introduced "Pedro Navaja" to the global lexicon.

• The Fania All-Stars: As a cornerstone of the legendary collective, he helped take Latin music from New York dance halls to international stadiums.

A Legacy Beyond the Stage

Colón’s influence extended far beyond his more than 40 albums and 30 million records sold. He was a fierce advocate for civil rights, serving as an advisor to New York Mayors David Dinkins and Michael Bloomberg. In a move that surprised many, he even graduated from the Westchester County Police Academy at age 64, serving as a deputy lieutenant until 2022.

“Willie didn’t just change salsa; he expanded it, politicized it, and took it to stages where it hadn’t been before,” his manager, Pietro Carlos, wrote. “His trombone was the voice of the people, an echo of the Caribbean in New York.”

Tributes from São Paulo to San Juan

The news of his passing sent shockwaves through the industry. On Saturday night, during his second sold-out show in São Paulo, Brazil, global superstar Bad Bunny paused his concert to pay tribute to the man who had appeared in his "Nueva Yol" music video.

“Today, one of the legends who contributed to this beautiful genre passed away,” Bad Bunny told the crowd at Allianz Parque. “The inspiration of these great musicians will never die as long as there are young people keeping the music alive.”

Longtime collaborator Rubén Blades also shared a moving tribute on X (formerly Twitter), stating he had confirmed "what I was reluctant to believe" and offering prayers for Colón's wife and children.

Colón’s final performance took place on 9th August 2025, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a homecoming concert that now stands as a final, sold-out curtain call for the architect of a genre. He is survived by his wife, Julia, and their four sons.