Frankie Ruiz

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Frankie Ruiz


imagesize=100px
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz
Alias = "El Papa de la Salsa" [ [http://www.salsapulse.com/F.html Salsa Music ] ]
Born = birth date|1958|3|10
Paterson, New Jersey, USA
Died = Death date and age|1998|8|9|1958|3|10
New York, New York, USA
Origin =
Genre = Salsa
Occupation: Singer-Songwriter
Years_active = 1971—1998
Label = Rodven Records
URL =

Frankie Ruiz (March 10 1958 - August 9 1998) was a well known Puerto Rican salsa singer.

Early years

Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. His parents moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary education. As a child he enjoyed singing to the tunes of salsa and as a young man joined a local band called The Charlie Lopez Orchestra. With this band he recorded his first song "Salsa Buena" (Good Salsa). In 1976, Ruiz moved to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico with his mother after his parents divorced.

Musical career

In Puerto Rico, Ruiz became a fan of a salsa band called La Solucion, directed by Roberto Rivera and learned all of their songs. He attended every concert and show. On one occasion, Ruiz's mother asked Rivera to give her son an opportunity to sing in the band, but to no avail. However, as fate would have it, in 1977, Ruiz was present at one of their shows where the lead singer did not show up. Rivera felt that he had no other choice but to give Ruiz a try. He was a success and was hired by Rivera. With La Solucion, Ruiz re-recorded a new version of "Salsa Buena". He performed with the band for three years.

In 1980, Ruiz joined Tommy Olivencia and his Primerisima Orchestra. His youth and style known as Sensual Salsa helped to bring in a new generation of salsa followers. His first major "hit" was "Lo Dudo" (I doubt it) which was previously covered by José José. In 1983, Ruiz decided to go "solo" and had hits with "No Que No", "Mi Libertad" (My Liberty) and "Desnudate Mujer" (Get Undressed Woman). He traveled extensively throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States performing and always used the phrase "Vaya, mi China" (Go, Baby) as his trademark. He was then called "El Papa de la Salsa" (The Father of Salsa).

Later years and death

Ruiz began to use illegal drugs and became an alcoholic. During a flight after one of his concerts he attacked a flight attendant. He was arrested and sentenced to three years at the federal prison in Jacksonville, Texas for the incident. Ruiz's last song was "Vuelvo a Nacer" ("Born Again"), where he describes his errors in life by taking the wrong way and that he declares himself born again. His voice was heard raspy compared to his earlier career due to the effects of his drug use.Frankie Ruiz became ill and was hospitalized on July 11, 1998, after performing at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Shortly afterwards, on August 9, 1998, Ruiz died from complications from AIDS . [ [http://www.salsacentro.com/musicdance/music/frankieruiz.htm Frankie Ruiz] ] [ [http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/ruiz_frankie/bio.jhtml VH1 Profile] ] [ [http://www.latinoaids.org/nlaad/2006/Latino%20HIV%20Timeline%20Milestones%209.12.06.pdf LatinoAIDS] ] Before his burial, his remains were taken to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, for a memorial service. He was later interred at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Bergen County, New Jersey.

The city government of Mayagüez later renamed an auditorium next to the "Palacio Municipal de Recreación y Deportes" (the local sports arena) in Ruiz's honor. He is survived by his son, Frankie Ruiz Jr, his two brothers, Viti and Nelson Ruiz, and his wife. [ [http://www.salsapulse.com/F.html Salsa Music ] ] [ [http://www.puertoricans.com/festival/april20/ Puerto Rico is PuertoRicans.Com, Puerto Rico online ] ]

Puerto Rican singer Jerry Rivera, who met Ruiz when he was 13 years old and whom he considered his idol, recorded an album titled "Canto a mi Idolo...Frankie Ruiz" (I sing to my Idol... Frankie Ruiz) in 2003 with Ruiz's songs as a tribute to Frankie Ruiz. The album cover contains a photo of Rivera and Ruiz that Rivera's father took of them. In 2004, another album tribute to Frankie Ruiz was released featuring various artists. The album was titled ,"Va Por Ti, Frankie".

Recordings

With Orquesta Solucion
#La Rueda
#Separemos Nuestras Vidas
#La VecinaWith Tommy Olivencia y su Orquesta
#Primero Fui Yo
#Lo Dudo
#Como Lo Hacen
#Cosa Nativas
#No Que No
#Como una Estrella

Albums

Solo Career:

* "Leyenda" (1999)

Note

ee also

*List of famous Puerto Ricans

External links

* [http://www.prpop.org/biografias/PR Popular Culture]
* [http://www.salsaclasica.com/frankieruiz Unofficial Site - Biography, Discography, Lyrics]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6868437 Frankie's Grave] at Find A Grave
* [http://www.fanaticosdefrankieruizenperu.tk/ Frankie Ruiz - Fan Site]