Tony Vega
Tony Vega (born July 13, 1957 in Salinas / Puerto Rico ) is a Puerto Rican salsa singer .
Career
Tony Vega was born into a family of musicians and learned to play bongos and congas at an early age. At the age of ten he was a member of the children's band "La Preferida". His family moved to New York City in 1968 , where Vega went to school. In his spare time he played for various Latin rock bands such as City Trash. He developed a penchant for Afro-Antillian music styles, from which salsa later developed. He was heavily influenced by artists such as Ismael Rivera , Rafael Cortijo, Rafael Ithier and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico .
After graduating from school in 1978, he was recorded by the band "La Selecta", which was led by Raphy Leavitt. His songs Cosquillita, Sheila Taina and El Picaflor became big hits. In 1980 he made the acquaintance of Willie Rosario while performing live. From 1981 to 1986 he was a member of his combo. At that time Gilberto Santa Rosa was also the singer of this group. The recording "La Nueva Cosecha" was proposed for a Grammy Award. In 1986 Tony Vega returned to Puerto Rico. There he began an artistic collaboration with Eddie Palmieri and Giovanni Hidalgo and recorded the album "La Verdad", which received a Grammy for Palmieri. During this time, the band toured Spain , the Netherlands , Germany , Denmark and what was then Yugoslavia .
In 1988 Tony Vega started his solo career and recorded the albums "Yo Me Quedo" and "Lo Mío Es Amor". For the latter he received the Gold Record Award in 1991. He performed in Venezuela and a little later in Madison Square Garden on the occasion of the 100th recording of the Mambo Kings with Tito Puente . Concerts in Spain, Chile , Colombia and the USA followed . In 1996 he sang the prelude to the 7th Gymnastics World Championships in Puerto Rico with Marc Anthony . His successful hits include songs such as “Si me mira a los ojos”, “Hoy vine a Cantarte”, “Tropical Tribute to the Beatles” and “La Combinacion Perfecta”.
Private
Tony Vega has largely withdrawn from his many live appearances and professes himself to be a "born again Christian".
Discography
- Yo Me Quedo (1988)
- Lo Mío Es Amor (1990)
- Uno Mismo (1991)
- Apartments (1992)
- Si Me Miras A Los Ojos (1994)
- Tony Vega (1996)
- Hoy Quiero Cantarte (1998)
- Hablando Del Amor (2000)
- Después De Todo (2001)
- Cuestión de Fe (2004)
- Tú Eres Mi Respirar (2004)
- Que Tire La Piedra (2006)
- Tony Vega en Concierto (2008)
Prizes and awards
- 1991: Gold Record Award
- 1991: Platinum Record Award for "Uno Mismo"
- 1992: La Husca Award in Panama
- 1992: Golden Agueybana Award for "Best Orchestra of the Year" in Puerto Rico
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Vega, Tony |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Puerto Rican salsa singer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | July 13, 1957 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Salinas, Puerto Rico |