More Info on Tony VegaSimilar Undetermined MusicSearch Artistopia
Biography
Tony Vega (born July 13, 1957 in Salinas, Puerto Rico ) is a renowned salsa music|salsa singer and bandleader .
Early years
Vega received his primary education in his hometown. He was born into a family of musician s and therefore learned how to play the Bongo drum|bongos and conga at an early age. In 1967, when he was 10 years old, he played the conga for a kids band called "La Prefeida". His family moved to New York City in 1968. In New York, Vega continued to go to school. In his free time however, he played the conga for various local Latin rock bands including "City Trash". http://www.musicofpuertorico.com/index.php/artists/tony_vega/ MUSIC OF PUERTO RICO
Latin music was very popular in New York during the 1970s and while Vega played the conga for Latin rock bands, he started to become more and more interested in the afroantillano style of music better known as salsa. He listened to and was influenced by Ismael Rivera , Rafael Cortijo , Rafael Ithier and El Gran Combo . http://www.prpop.org/biografias/PR Popular Culture
La Selecta
In 1978, after he graduated from high school, Vega auditioned and was accepted by "La Selecta" a well known salsa band directed by Raphy Leavitt . He sang with the band and recorded "Cosquillita" (Tickle) "Sheila Taina" and "El Picaflor", which became "hits". In 1980, Vega was doing a show with La Selecta and in the audience was another salsa bandleader, Willie Rosario . Rosario was impressed with Vega and invited him to join his band. He did and participated in many recordings, and from 1981 to 1986, he shared credits with a young singer by the name of Gilberto Santa Rosa . Vega also played an essential role in the recording of "La Nueva Cosecha" (The New Harvest) which was nominated for a Grammy Award . He stayed with Rosario for eight years.
In 1986, Vega joined the Louie Ramirez band before returning to Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, he was introduced to Eddie Palmieri by his friend Giovanni Hidalgo . Palmieri recorded Vega and ended up hiring him because he liked what he heard. Vega participated in the recording of "La Verdad" (The Truth)which won a Grammy for Palmieri. He traveled with the band to Spain , the Netherlands , Switzerland , Germany , Denmark , and Yugoslavia .
Solo career
In 1988, Vega formed his own band and recorded "solo" for the first time. His album "Yo me Quedo" (I will stay) became a "hit'. He then followed that with the recording of the album "Lo Mio es Amor" (My thing is Love) which included the songs "Ella" (She) and an English language track "Love is Forever". This album earned him his first Gold record|Gold Record Award . In 1991, Vega won a Platinum record|Platinum Record Award with the success of his album "Uno Mismo" (Yourself). That year he performed in Venezuela and later went to New York where in Madison Square Garden he participated in Tito Puente s 100th recording "The Mambo King".
Recognitions
1992 was a very busy year for Vega. He was awarded La Husca Award in Panama and in Puerto Rico won the Golden Agueybana Award for Best Orchestra of the Year. That year Vega and his band performed in Spain, Chile , Colombia and the United States. He was also among a committee sent to Spain by the Government of Puerto Rico to represent the island when it was awarded the Prince of Austria's Award. He performed in the Sports Palace of Madrid.
In 1996, Vega participated with Marc Anthony in the opening ceremonies of the 7th Gymnastics World Championships celebrated in Puerto Rico.
Discography
external media| align = center | audio1 = You may listen to Tony Vega's " Esa mujer " http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=dg8qTmnDgmA here . | audio2 =
Cosquilla
Sheila Taina
El Picaflor
Mi Amigo el Payaso
Caramelito del Campo
Busca el Ritmo
Prohibiciones
Como es Posible
El Cuatro
Yo Me Quedo
Tu Prenda Tendida
Nadie te Mando
Lo mio es Amor
Ella
Uno Mismo
Dame Tiempo
Ya es tiempo de Olvidar
Si miras a los Ojos
Hoy vine a Cantarte
Tropical Tribute to the Beatles
La Combinacion Perfecta
Tu Eres Mi Respirar
Hoy Quiero Cantarte
Cuestión de Fé
Currently
Among his most current productions are "Si me mira a los ojos" (If you look into my eyes), "Hoy vine a Cantarte" (Today I came to sing to you), "Tropical Tribute to the Beatles " and "La Combinacion Perfecta" (The Perfect Combination).
Tony Vega continues to perform but, not as often as before. In 1996 he became a " Born again Christianity|born again Christian ".
See also
Portal box|Puerto Rico|Biography
List of famous Puerto Ricans
clear
References
reflist
External links
http://www.prpop.org/biografias/PR Popular Culture
Persondata | NAME = Vega, Tony | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH = July 13, 1957 | PLACE OF BIRTH = Salinas, Puerto Rico | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Vega, Tony Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:People from Salinas, Puerto Rico Category:Puerto Rican singers Category:Salsa musicians Category:American performers of Christian music
de:Tony Vega es:Tony Vega fr:Tony Vega
Copyright Citations
This article is licensed under the GNU License
Click here for original article: Tony Vega
