Family members announced on social media that Willie Colón, the influential American salsa musician, died at the age of 75. The statement posted on Colón’s Facebook page said that while his family mourns his loss, they also celebrate the "timeless gift" of his music and the memories he left behind.
"While we grieve his absence, we also rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories he created that will live on forever," the family wrote on Colón’s Facebook page.
The family did not provide a cause of death.
Born in the Bronx to parents of Puerto Rican origin, Colón built a prolific recording career that spanned decades. He recorded dozens of albums, among them La Gran Fuga (The Big Break) released in 1970 and El Juicio released in 1972, catalog entries attributed to Fania Records. His relationship with Fania began early: Colón signed with the label at age 15, and two years later, in 1967, he released his first album El Malo. That debut has sold in excess of 300,000 copies, according to his biography on the LA Philharmonic website.
Colón’s work is noted for its synthesis of diverse musical forms. Biographical material describes his music as drawing on jazz, rock and salsa while incorporating rhythms and influences from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Africa. The biography also describes a recurring theme in his songwriting: an exploration of the complex ties Puerto Ricans maintain with both their island homeland and the United States.
According to that biography, Colón used his songs to portray and probe the difficulties of life in the United States as a Puerto Rican, and to highlight the cultural contributions Puerto Ricans bring to broader American society.
Recognition of his career included a lifetime achievement award in 2004 from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Beyond his musical work, Colón engaged in long-term social activism. Biographical sources list his involvement with several organizations: he served with the Latino Commission on AIDS, the United Nations Immigrant Foundation, and held a board position at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
Colón’s passing closes a chapter on a career that combined artistic innovation with public advocacy. The family’s announcement left several details unreported, including the circumstances of his death and any immediate plans for public memorials.