Frankie Ruiz
Encyclopedia
Frankie Ruiz was a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...

.

Early years

Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in Paterson
Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson is a city serving as the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third largest city and one of the largest cities in the New York City Metropolitan Area, despite a decrease of 3,023...

, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...

. His parents moved from Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...

 to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary education. As a child he enjoyed singing to the tunes of salsa and as a young man joined a local band called The Charlie Lopez Orchestra. With this band he recorded his first song Salsa Buena. In 1976, Ruiz moved to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...

 with his mother after his parents divorced.

Musical career

In Puerto Rico, Ruiz became a fan of a salsa band called La Solucion, directed by Roberto Rivera and learned all of their songs. He attended every concert and show. On one occasion, Ruiz's mother asked Rivera to give her son an opportunity to sing in the band, but to no avail. However, as fate would have it, in 1977, Ruiz was present at one of their shows where the lead singer did not show up. Rivera felt that he had no other choice but to give Ruiz a try. He was a success and was hired by Rivera. With La Solucion, Ruiz re-recorded a new version of Salsa Buena. He performed with the band for three years and recorded his first hit single La Rueda.

In 1980, Ruiz joined Tommy Olivencia
Tommy Olivencia
Tommy Olivencia was a renowned bandleader of salsa music.-Early years:Olivencia, was born Ángel Tomás Olivencia Pagán in the Villa Palmeras section of Santurce, Puerto Rico. His family moved to the city of Arecibo when he was just a child. There received his primary and secondary education...

 and his Primerisima Orchestra. His youth and style known as Sensual Salsa helped to bring in a new generation of salsa followers. His first major hit was with the band Lo Dudo which was previously covered by José José
José José
José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz , known by his artistic name José José, is a Mexican singer.Referred in the entertainment world as "El Príncipe de la Canción" , José José is best known for his romantic ballads and renowned for his vocals...

. In 1983, Ruiz decided to go solo and had hits with Puerto Rico, Tú Con El, Mirandote, Desnudate Mujer, Deseandote, La Cura, Bailando, Mi Libertad and many more. He traveled extensively throughout Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages  – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...

, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

 and the United States performing and always used the phrases "Vaya, Mi China" (Go, My Baby)- China was his wife and mother of his son Frankie Ruiz Jr. -, and "¿Que que?" (What, What?) as his trademarks. He was then called "El Papa de la Salsa" (The Father of Salsa).

Later years and death

Ruiz began to use illegal drugs and became an alcoholic. During a flight after one of his concerts he attacked a flight attendant. He was arrested and sentenced to three years at the federal prison in Jacksonville, Texas
Jacksonville, Texas
Jacksonville is located in Cherokee County, Texas, United States. The population was 13,868 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Cherokee County and part of the larger Tyler-Jacksonville Combined Statistical...

 for the incident.
Ruiz's last song was "Vuelvo a Nacer", where he describes his errors in life by taking the wrong way and that he declares himself born again. His voice was heard raspy compared to his earlier career due to the effects of his drug use.
Frankie Ruiz became ill and was hospitalized on July 11, 1998, after performing at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...

 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

. On August 9, 1998, Frankie eventually died of complications from AIDS at the age of 40, a month after his final concert at Madison Square Garden . Before his burial, his remains were taken to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...

, for a memorial service. He was later interred at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Bergen County, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...

.

The city government of Mayagüez later renamed an auditorium next to the "Palacio de Recreación y Deportes
Palacio de Recreación y Deportes
The Palacio de Recreación y Deportes is a sports arena in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. It was built under Benjamin Cole's administration as mayor. It has capacity for 5,500 spectators. It has recently been remodeled in preparation for the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games...

"
in Ruiz's honor. He is survived by his son, Frankie Ruiz Jr, his two brothers, Viti and Nelson Ruiz, and his wife.

Recordings

With Orquesta La Solucion
  1. La Rueda
  2. Separemos Nuestras Vidas
  3. La Vecina

With Tommy Olivencia y su Orquesta
  1. Primero Fui Yo
  2. Lo Dudo
  3. Como Lo Hacen
  4. Cosa Nativas
  5. No Que No
  6. Como una Estrella

Albums

Solo Career:
* Solista Pero No Solo
Solista Pero No Solo
Solista Pero No Solo is the debut album by Frankie Ruiz following his departure from Tommy Olivencia's band. The album reached #1 on the Tropical Album chart which made Ruiz the first solo performer to achieve this feat.-Track listing:...

(1985)
* Voy Pa' Encima
Voy Pa' Encima
Voy Pa' Encima is the second studio album by Frankie Ruiz as a solo artist. The album became a success on the tropical charts just as the previous album did.-Singles:...

(1987)
* En Vivo y... a Todo Color.. (1988)
  • 1. Ahora Me Toca a Mi
  • 2. Esta Cobardia
  • 3. Como le Gustan a Usted
  • 4. Tú Con El
  • 5. La Cura
  • 6. El Camionero
  • 7. Si Esa Mujer Me Dice Que Si
  • 8. Amor de un Momento
  • 1. Quiero Llenarte
  • 2. Si No Te Hubieras Ido
  • 3. Desnudate Mujer
  • 4. Mujeres
  • 5. No Me Hables Mal De Ella
  • 6. Imposible Amor
  • 7. Quiero Verte
  • 8. Voy Pa' Encima
  • 1. Me Acostumbre
  • 2. Mujer
  • 3. Solo Por Ti
  • 4. Dile a El
  • 5. La Rueda Vuelve a Rodar
  • 6. Si Te Entregas a Mi
  • 7. Por Eso
  • 8. Y No Puedo

  • * Mas Grande Que Nunca (1989) * Mi Libertad (1992) * Puerto Rico Soy Tuyo (1993)
    • 1. Para Darte Fuego
    • 2. Tú Eres
    • 3. Me Dejo
    • 4. Entre el Fuego y la Pared
    • 5. Amantes de Otro Tiempo
    • 6. En Epoca de Celo
    • 7. Deseandote
    • 8. Señora
  • 1. Mi Libertad
  • 2. Esta Vez Si Voy Pa' Encima
  • 3. No Supiste Esperar
  • 4. Otra Vez
  • 5. Voy a Estrenar
  • 6. Bailando
  • 7. Ella Tiene Que Saber
  • 8. Quién Es Tu Amigo?
  • 1. Tú Me Vuelves Loco
  • 2. Puerto Rico
  • 3. Nunca Te Quedas
  • 4. Tal Como Lo Soñé
  • 5. Me Faltas
  • 6. Perdón Señora
  • 7. Hablame
  • 8. Nos Sorprendió El Amanecer

  • * Mirandote (1994) * Tranquilo (1996) * Nacimientos y Recuerdos (1998)
    • 1. Mas Alla de la Piel
    • 2. No Dudes de Mi
    • 3. Tenerte
    • 4. La Que Me Quita y No Me Da
    • 5. Mirandote
    • 6. Obsesión
    • 7. Por Haberte Amado Tanto
    • 8. Mi Formula de Amor
  • 1. Tranquilo
  • 2. Complícame
  • 3. Ironia
  • 4. Sigue Siendo Mia
  • 5. Cada Uno Por Su Lado
  • 6. Mas Alla del Tiempo
  • 7. Seguir Intentandolo
  • 8. Dejame Quererte
  • 9. Infidelidad
  • 1. Vuelvo a Nacer
  • 2. Mirandote
  • 3. Bailando
  • 4. Mi Libertad
  • 5. Puerto Rico
  • 6. Voy Pa' Encima
  • 7. Quiero Llenarte
  • 8. Tú Con El
  • 9. La Cura
  • 10. Para Darte Fuego
  • 11. Ironia
  • 12. Esta Cobardia

  • Legacy

    Puerto Rican singer Jerry Rivera
    Jerry Rivera
    -Albums:* Empezando a Vivir Sony Music* Abriendo Puertas * Cuenta Conmigo * Cara de Niño...

    , who met Ruiz when he was 13 years old and whom he considered his idol, recorded an album titled Canto a mi Idolo...Frankie Ruiz in 2003 with Ruiz's songs as a tribute to Frankie Ruiz. The album cover contains a photo of Rivera and Ruiz that Rivera's father took of them. In 2004, another album tribute to Frankie Ruiz was released featuring various artists. The album was titled Va Por Ti, Frankie. Frankie Ruiz Jr is following his fathers footsteps as a Salsa Singer. He has released 3 singles. -La Despedida (urban) -Provocadora (urban) -Vete ya (salsa).

    External links

    The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
     
    x
    OK