Celia Cruz - The Famous Singer

Celia Cruz, the iconic salsa singer has dominated Latin American music like a true Queen for over 60 years. Indeed Celia Cruz earned the title of “Queen of Salsa’ and “La guarachera de Cuba”.

Celia Cruz who was born on October 21st 1924 began singing at cabarets in her formative years. Thanks to her aunt who always encouraged her and took her to cabarets. Even the teachers at Celia’s school drilled in her that a music career was far better than studying to become a teacher. So Celia began singing at cabarets until she finally got a break in Havana’s radio station Radio Garcia-Serra’s popular teatime {Hora del Te} broadcast. Celia regularly won cakes at the Radio Teatime singing competitions.

Celia Cruz soon got a big break with a renowned Cuban band “La Sonora Matancera”. When one of the lead singers left the band, Celia was chosen to fill in her place. Celia Cruz within a short time won the hearts of Cuban music lovers; and for the next fifteen years Celia toured with the band all over Latin America. When Fidel Castro assumed power in Cuba in 1960, Celia and her band members, who were then touring Mexico, have all gone to United States never to return back to Cuba. In 1961, Celia Cruz received her US citizenship.

In the year 1966, Celia and Tito Puente, ‘The King of Latin Music’, teamed up together and brought out eight albums under Tico Records label. As the albums did not reach their level of expectations, Celia Cruz joined a group called “Fania All Stars” owned by Vaya Records. Celia performed with “Fania All Stars” in countries like France, England, Zaire and Latin American countries. Amidst her extensive stage performances throughout the world, Celia Cruz has created an over 75 albums.

Twenty three Celia’s albums received gold certification. Cruz also won three Grammy awards and four Latin Grammy awards. She won Grammy awards for: Best Tropical Latin Performance for “Ritmo En El Corazon” {With Ray Barretto} in 1990; Best Salsa Album “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” {The Black Girl Has Rhythm} in 2003; and Best Salsa/Merengue Album “Regalo Del Alma” {Gift From The Soul} in 2003; and Latin Grammy Awards for: Best Salsa Performance “Celia Cruz and Friends: A Night Of Salsa” in 2000; Best Tropical Tradicional Album “Siempre Vivire” {I Will Always Live} in 2001; Best Salsa Album “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” in 2002; and Best Salsa Album “Regalo Del Alma” in 2004 received posthumously.

In between her musical performances, Celia Cruz found time to appear in films and television shows such as “Rincon criollo” {1950}, “Affair in Havana” {1957}, “Amorcito corazon” {Amorcito heart: 1961}, “Venganza de la momia, La” {The Revenge of the Mummy: 1973}, “Juegos de sociedad” {Games of society:1974}, “The Mambo Kings” {1992}, “The Perez Family” {1995}, and television series like “Premier Orfeon” {1964}, “Roque Santeiro” {1985}, “Valentina” {1993}, “Alma no tiene color, El” {1997}, and “Latino NY Live” {1998}.

Ceila Cruz’s glorious musical career came to an end on 16th of July, 2003, when she died of cancerous brain tumor at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Millions of music lovers mourned her death. The “Salsa Queen” was no more. The musical queen was finally laid to rest at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx.