Héctor Lavoe, better known as ‘La Voz’, ‘El flaco de oro’ or ‘El jibarito’ in the music industry, is birthday this September 30. Today his music is still heard and there is no one who has not danced to one of his songs.
However, his fame went so far that his followers wanted to know what was behind those dark glasses and that smile. Far from the happiness that profits and the love of his audience could generate, Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez -his real name- had a life full of addictions, dangers, and more.
Despite having died 33 years ago, he is considered one of the best salsa singers of all time. On the occasion of his 80th birthday. We will pay tribute to Héctor Lavoe, the interpreter of Aguanilewith some series, movies and documentaries who portrayed his life to learn a little more about him.
DOCUMENTARIES:
‘The Braves of Salsa’ (1972)
The documentary Our Latin Stuff -by its English name- was released in 1972 and was directed by Leon Gast about the burgeoning Latin music scene in New York. It centers on a concert created by Fania Records management at Manhattan’s Cheetah Nightclub featuring a group of Fania artists called the Fania All-Stars.
This project was born thanks to director Jerry Masucci who attended a recording session at Red Garter studios in Greenwich Village. With his great sense of smell, he hoped that with this material he would be able to infect the North American scene with Latin rhythm. With the help of Larry Harlow, he convinced renowned editor Leon Gast to make this dream come true.
Despite the low budget, Gast and his team managed to solve the innumerable technical problems involved in filming, taking advantage of the narrative advantages offered by the documentary format. That is why the camera takes advantage of the slightest opportunity to take to the streets in search of the true essence of that Spanish Harlem where he grew up Ray Barretto and where emigrants like Chano Pozo and Hector Lavoe They would forge their legend. The main virtue of the film lies in the naturalistic vocation with which it portrays El Barrio, walking its streets like any other passerby and involving the viewer in cockfights, domino games and street festivals.
Our Latin thing oh The bravos of the sauce is available in YouTube.
Faces and Traces: Héctor Lavoe (1994)
Produced by the Universidad del Valle through Colombia’s Canal Univalle TV, this episode was released on the regional TV program Rostros y Rastros where the artistic and complex life that Héctor Lavoe lived shortly after his death in June 1993 is explored.
Pablo del Valle, music lover and radio broadcaster, is responsible for this documentary that is available on YouTube.
FILMS:
‘The King: the untold story of Héctor Lavoe’ (2011)
the movie The King: the untold story of Héctor Lavoe was directed by Puerto Rican filmmaker Anthony Felton and premiered in 2011. Starring actor Raúl Carbonell, recognized for playing the salsa legend in the Broadway musical Who killed Héctor Lavoe?
Joanna Vargas and Patricia Manterola (as Lavoe’s two wives), Luis José López (Willie Colón), Renoly Santiago (Johnny Pacheco) and Jaime Sánchez (Lavoe’s manager), complete the cast of the film that can be seen at Vimeo.
In the year it was released, director Anthony Felton told an anecdote in which Héctor Lavoe himself was involved: “When Héctor Lavoe was in the hospital he said: if one day you return to the cinema, I would like you, if you make my film, to put me as I am,” according to the portal. SauceWithStyle.
What draws the attention of The King: The Untold Story of Héctor Lavoe is that Héctor Lavoe’s true voice can be heard even though the actor Raúl Carbonell is a singer. According to Felton, including the original will bring back memories for his fans, plus he obtained the rights from Fania Records to use Lavoe’s music. Regarding the plot, the director stated that the story was built based on what he knew first-hand as a friend of the salsero, what the singer’s sister and his now deceased wife told him, as well as Willie Colón and other musicians who were close to the artist.
Since 2013, it has been available in Spanish or English for $4 on the aforementioned platform.
‘The Singer’ (2006)
The Latin artist Mark Antony steps into the shoes of international salsa superstar Héctor Lavoe in this biopic that follows the singer from his early success to his struggle with drugs, alcohol addiction and depression.
the movies The Singer He also reviews his turbulent life as a Puerto Rican teenager in New York City, where he overwhelms producers with his overflowing talent, full of freshness and freedom that immediately fills theaters and fills concerts.
That’s where Puchi (played by singer Jennifer Lopez) comes in, Lavoe’s partner, muse and lifelong love, who remains by his side both in the good times and the not so good ones, being the protagonist of some of them. The transition from a local singer to a musical icon in the United States that remains in our memories.
It is available in main video.
SERIES:
‘My lucky day’ (2019)
My lucky day follows the story of Toño (Lucho Cáceres), a Héctor Lavoe impersonator from Callao who has been dealt many blows by life and who constantly looks for signs that his luck will change. The arrival of Héctor Lavoe to Lima in the winter of 1986 will be that sign that Toño was waiting for. Convinced that the singer’s arrival has a relationship with his own destiny, he will do everything possible to meet him and find ‘the day of his luck’ with him.
Throughout the 4 episodes, My lucky day will follow Toño in his search for Lavoe. You will have a few days full of unthinkable and delirious experiences, after which everything will be worth it.
The trailer shows the character of Toño (Lucho Cáceres), a pre-university professor who in his free time imitates Héctor Lavoe at his neighborhood parties. We also see the closest characters in Toño’s environment: Genaro (Carlos Carlín), the music businessman who brings Héctor Lavoe to Lima; Marina (Alejandra Guerra), his sister who, despite her mental problems, is the one who gives him the most lucidity; Elvira (Urpi Gibbons), Toño’s former lifelong partner; and the President (Paul Vega) on duty who is leading the country to ruin.
They complete the cast of My lucky day Pietro Sibille, in the role of Yupanqui, Genera’s trusted and secure man; and Leonidas Urbina, in the role of the real Héctor Lavoe. Available in Movistar Play and Prime Video.
