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The celebrated salsa musician passed away “peacefully” while in the company of his family, as shared in an official statement.
WASHINGTON — The world of salsa music bids farewell to Willie Colón, a legendary figure in the genre, who has died at the age of 75.
News of the iconic singer’s passing was confirmed on Saturday through an announcement on his official social media channels.
“With heavy hearts, we share the news of the loss of our cherished husband, father, and iconic musician, Willie Colón,” read the family’s statement on Facebook. “He left us peacefully this morning, with his loving family by his side.”
“Though we mourn his departure, we celebrate the enduring gift of his music and the precious memories he leaves behind. Our family is immensely thankful for your prayers and support during this period of mourning. We kindly request privacy as we come to terms with our loss,” the statement concluded.
The New York-born musician was a pioneer of salsa music, collaborating with legends Hector Lavoe and Celia Cruz.
A cause of death was not immediately known.
His manager Pietro Carlos also posted on social media, confirming the death of the musician.
“Today, we’ve lost an architect of the New York sound, a trombonist who made metal his banner and wrote eternal chapters in our musical history. From ‘El Malo’ to anthems that defined generations, his work wasn’t just music: It was identity, neighborhood, consciousness, and resistance,” Carlos said in a statement on Facebook. “Willie didn’t just change salsa; he expanded it, politicized it, clothed it in urban chronicales, and took it to stages where it hadn’t been heard before. His trombone was the voice of the people, an echo of the Caribbean in New York, a bridge between cultures.”
“Today we say goodbye to a master, but his legacy lives on. It lives in every jam session, in every young person who discovers that salsa can also be musical revolution and poetry,” Carlos added. “Thank you, Willie, for everything. And above all, for your friendship.”
This is a developing story. Check back later for more updates.