Willie Colón obit

Willie Colón, Salsa Innovator Who Redefined Latin Music, Dies at 75

His family confirmed the news in a statement shared on social media

 

He was not on the list.

William Anthony "Willie" Colón Román, the pioneering salsa musician, composer, trombonist, and cultural force whose work helped propel Latin music onto the global stage, died on February 21, 2026, at 75 years old. His family confirmed the news in a statement shared on social media, noting that Colón passed away peacefully with loved ones at his side in New York City.

Born on April 28, 1950, in the South Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Colón emerged from the vibrant cultural mosaic of New York City's Latin neighborhoods at a time when Caribbean rhythms were converging with urban American sounds to create something new and resonant. He first found his way into music through brass instruments, shifting from trumpet to trombone in his teens after being inspired by the powerful trombone lines of Caribbean and jazz musicians.

Architect of a Sound

Colón's career began in earnest in 1967 when he signed with Fania Records, the legendary label that became synonymous with the birth of salsa. His early records, especially with vocalist Héctor Lavoe, helped define the raw, streetwise sound of the genre in its formative years. Albums like El Malo and the Colón-Lavoe collaborations were pivotal in bringing Afro-Caribbean rhythms to wider audiences, and their success laid the groundwork for the salsa explosion of the 1970s.

He was known as much for his artistic daring as for his music: Colón embraced a "bad guy" persona in his album artwork long before it became a cultural motif, and his bold image helped forge a connection with urban audiences who saw reflections of their own experiences in his work.

In the 1970s, Colón also formed a legendary collaboration with Panamanian singer-songwriter Rubén Blades. Their 1978 album Siembra became one of the best-selling salsa records in history, a defining moment for the genre and a cultural milestone that helped take Latin music beyond its traditional markets.

Beyond sheer rhythm and dance floor energy, Colón's music often carried weighty narratives and social insight. One of his most enduring recordings, "El Gran Varón," written by Omar Alfanno and performed by Colón, tells the story of a young man rejected by his father because of his identity and is remembered for confronting prejudice and offering a voice to marginalized listeners.

His career spanned decades and included collaborations with many of the genre's greatest artists, such as Celia Cruz, Ismael Miranda and the Fania All-Stars, and multiple reinventions that kept his work relevant to new generations of musicians and fans.

A Life of Art and Advocacy

Colón's influence extended far beyond the studio. As his career grew, so did his engagement with social issues that mattered deeply to him and to the communities he represented. He became known as an activist as well as an artist, weaving themes of cultural identity, urban struggle and social justice into his work and public life. His involvement with political causes in New York City reflected his belief that music and community are inseparable, and he even pursued public office at times in his later years.

His voice and trombone became symbols of resilience and pride for many Latinos in the United States and Latin America — a testament to how deeply music can echo the lived experience of its people.

Enduring Legacy

Tributes poured in from across the world following news of his passing, underscoring the enormity of his impact on Latin culture and beyond. Colón's recordings remain a staple on radio stations, in dance halls and across digital platforms, and his influence can be heard in the music of artists who continue to expand the boundaries of Latin music.

Though details about memorial services and public tributes are still being finalized, fans and fellow musicians have already begun honoring his life and legacy, celebrating a man whose work transcended borders, language and time.

Willie Colón will be remembered not only for his unmistakable trombone sound and his contributions to salsa, but also for his role as a storyteller, cultural ambassador and tireless advocate for equity and artistic expression. His music remains a bridge between generations and a testament to the power of rhythm, identity and community.