Willie Colon, the legendary Puerto Rican trombonist and composer, has died. He was 75 years old. This comes hours after local media reports that Colon was hospitalized in New York on Friday. Born William Anthony Colon Roman, Colon was a self-taught talent who became one of salsa’s biggest local legends.
Local media reports said he died on Saturday. Colon’s family has not yet issued a statement.
Willy Colon’s cause of death
While the exact cause of Willy Colon’s death has not yet been revealed, media reports indicated that he was being treated for respiratory problems.
Colón’s recording career began explosively in 1967 at the age of 16, when he released his debut album El Malo alongside singer Héctor Lavoe. The partnership under the Fania label has produced timeless classics including “Calle Luna, Calle Sol,” “Abuelita,” “El Día de Mi Suerte,” “La Murga,” and “Juana Peña,” establishing one of salsa’s most influential duos.
During his career he has released more than 32 albums, earned nine gold and five platinum records, sold more than eight million copies worldwide, and received eight Grammy Award nominations in the Tropical Music category. He has also worked in films and television, including Vigilante, The Last Fight, Salsa, Miami Vice, and the telenovela La Intrusa.
Singer Ruben Blades shared a message of support on social media on Friday, February 20, after reports indicated that Colon had been hospitalized in New York due to respiratory issues.
“Online news reports say that my colleague Willy Colon is currently in a New York hospital, having been urgently transferred there due to an apparent respiratory problem,” Blades wrote on the platform
Earlier, a post on X from the account “Juana Peña” claimed that Colon was admitted to Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville on Wednesday due to respiratory problems and described his condition as delicate.
