The complicated legacy of Willie Colón

About this episode

The episode discusses the complex legacy of Willie Colón, a key figure in salsa music, with insights from author Marisol Negrón.

We're remembering Willie Colón, the pioneering Nuyorican trombonist who was a key figure in the rise of Fania Records and New York-based salsa. Marisol Negrón, author of Made in NuYoRico: Fania Records, Latin Music, and Salsa’s Nuyorican Meanings, joins Rebecca to discuss Colón's contributions, collaborations with Hector Lavoe, and his complex legacy as an artist whose politics were seemingly at odds with the persona he created, "El Malo," early on in his career. Songs played: "El Malo" "Cant...

People in this episode

Host: Rebecca Bodenheimer

Guest: Marisol Negrón

Topics covered

• Willie Colón
• salsa music
• Fania Records
• Nuyorican culture
• music legacy
• politics in music

Keywords

• Willie Colón
• salsa
• Fania Records
• Nuyorican
• Hector Lavoe
• music history
• politics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Fania Records

Books & works: Made in NuYoRico: Fania Records, Latin Music, and Salsa’s Nuyorican Meanings, El Malo, Cant...

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