SALSA LEGEND

Iconic American Salsa Musician Dies at 75

The Latin music star Willie Colón died surrounded by his loved ones.

Salsa musician Willie Colón has died at 75, his family announced Saturday. A cause of death has not been disclosed for the Bronx-born trombonist, vocalist, and composer. In a statement shared to Colón’s Facebook page, loved ones said he died surrounded by family and friends, calling him a “beloved husband, father, and renowned musician.” While mourning his loss, they added they are choosing to “rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories he created that will live on forever.” A towering figure in Latin music, Colón helped shape the sound of modern salsa, with hits like “Oh Qué Será?” and a decades-long career that pushed the genre into new cultural and political territory. His influence earned him a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy in 2004. His manager also paid tribute in a post, writing that Colón “didn’t just change salsa; he expanded it, politicized it, clothed it in urban chronicles, and took it to stages where it hadn’t been heard before.” The family thanked supporters for their prayers and asked for privacy as they grieve.