Close Menu
    Subscribe
    Editorial

    The legacy, legendary salsa music godfather Johnny Pacheco left behind

    Tolu OkeBy No Comments4 Mins Read

    Legends are born into the world to fulfill one single purpose, and that is to shine!

    Such is the case of the life of Johnny Pacheco the legendary salsa music godfather or king of salsa.

    Mp3bullet goes down memory lane to look at the life, legacy, and notable achievements the king left behind.

    Born as Juan Azarías Pacheco Knipping on the 25th of March, 1935 as a Dominican Republic citizen, Pacheco has achieved quite a lot during his long life.

    From a tender age, Johnny inherited the music passion from his father Rafael Pacheco, who was the bandleader and clarinetist of the Orquesta Santa Cecilia.

    However, at 11 years, Johnny and his family moved to New York, where he continued polishing his music skills.

    He learned how to play the accordion, flute, saxophone, clarinet, and violin.

    Having graduated as an electrical engineer in the 1950s, he ventured into a minimal job, which he quit due to small pay.

    Career:

    Over to his music career, Pacheco played drums and sang with Gil Suarez’s band in 1953.

    While in 1954, he formed The Chuchuleous boys with Eddie Palmieri on piano and Barry Rogers on trombone.

    Moreso, as a boy band, they played at weddings, birthdays, and other social events.

    Four years after, in October 1958, Pacheco met with Charlie Palmeri, of whom they recorded the Latin Jazz album.

    Also, the duo formed the charanga La Duboney in 1959, where Pacheco played the flute.

    However, he soon grew dissatisfied with his role in the group and left to form his own charanga in 1960.

    Immediately after he started his own label as a leader his first songs to air were “El güiro de Macorina” and “Óyeme Mulata“.

    Pacheco’s success was a result of a new dance fad, the pachanga, a fast-paced mix of merengue and cha-cha-cha.

    He became an internationally renowned star and toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

    Also, his charanga became was the first Latin band to headline the Apollo Theater in New York City in 1962 and 1963.

    After all these, in the latter 1963, Pacheco met Jerry Masucci, a lawyer, and soon they founded his popular label Faina Records.

    Legacy:

    Leaving a fulfilled legacy behind is one major thing that needs to be emphasized.

    Having achieved a great feat in his music career and steadily plastering his name and music in the hearts and minds of his listeners, here is an outline of the legacy Johnny Pacheco left behind.

    In his career, he released over 150 songs, of which major were hits and impacted greatly on salsa music.

    Also, he became an inspiration to many younger generations and salsa music lovers.

    Further, Johnny participated in the AIDS benefit concert “Concierto Por La Vida” in November 1988 in New York City.

    Awards/Recognitions:

    While living a successful career life, it is important to highlight the many awards and recognitions the salsa legend bagged.

    So far, for the Grammy’s he was a 9-time nominee and won a Latin Grammy for Lifetime Achievement.

    In addition, Pacheco was awarded the First International Dominican Awards from the Cassandra Awards.

    Also, in 2004, he achieved the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.

    Asides from all these, and many more, Johnny Pacheco’s influence in the international music industry brought about the salsa we enjoy today.

    The life of the legend has come to an end, but the saying  “he lives on” isn’t a farce.

    In conclusion, amidst other legends, Johnny Pacheco is one like no other.