Papo Román
Encyclopedia
Víctor "Papo" Román is a Puerto Rican
musician most known for being the percussionist of the Rock en Español
band Fiel a la Vega
.
, Román started playing with several groups like Orquesta La Preferida, La Sónica, Maso Rivera, Tavín Pumarejo
, and Orquesta La Innovacián, among others.
In 1996, when Fiel a la Vega
was completing the recording of their first album
, guitarist
Ricky Laureano
(who was Román's brother-in-law
at the time) invited Román to play percussion in the song "El Wanabí". After that, they invited Román to play the songs "El Wanabí" and "Las Flores de Emilio" in their first concert. The latter was the first song of the set and after five songs, the band noticed that Román was still playing with them. The band liked it so much that they decided to include Román in the band.
The band's first album quickly achieved great success in the island releasing several radio hits and winning several awards. As of 2007, the band released four studio albums with Román.
On October 11, 2006, Román communicated with a letter to the fans and the press that he will be quitting the band after ten years. He stated that, despite not regretting the time spent with the band, he needed to slow down and dedicate time to his family. Román is the father of six children, two of them teenage daughters.
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...
musician most known for being the percussionist of the Rock en Español
Rock en Español
Rock en español is the Spanish-language rock music. While the term is used widely in English, it is used in Spanish mainly to distinguish such music from "Anglo rock." It is a style of rock music that developed in Latin American countries and Latino communities, along with other genres like...
band Fiel a la Vega
Fiel a la Vega
Fiel a la Vega is a Rock en Español band from Puerto Rico formed in 1994. Band members Tito Auger and Ricky Laureano come from the northern city of Vega Alta, while brothers Pedro Arraiza and Jorge Arraiza come from the city of Vega Baja, which is next to Vega Alta.-Early years :Childhood friends...
.
Biography and Career
Papo Román is the son of Víctor Román and Juanita Rodríguez. Since he was 12 years old, he started developing an interest in music. His first teacher was his friend Miguel Nieto. After years of practicing and with the influences of Richie Ray & Bobby CruzRichie Ray & Bobby Cruz
Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz are an American musical duo consisting of Ricardo "Richie" Ray and Roberto "Bobby" Cruz. The duo was formed in 1963 and rose to fame in the mid 1960s. They are one of the most famous interpreters of 'salsa brava' music....
, Román started playing with several groups like Orquesta La Preferida, La Sónica, Maso Rivera, Tavín Pumarejo
Tavin Pumarejo
Octavio Ramos Pumarejo, better known as Tavín Pumarejo is a Puerto Rican jíbaro singer and comedian. While better known for his work as a comedy actor on Puerto Rican television, Pumarejo has released 16 albums of Puerto Rican music, with some of them becoming major hits in the...
, and Orquesta La Innovacián, among others.
In 1996, when Fiel a la Vega
Fiel a la Vega
Fiel a la Vega is a Rock en Español band from Puerto Rico formed in 1994. Band members Tito Auger and Ricky Laureano come from the northern city of Vega Alta, while brothers Pedro Arraiza and Jorge Arraiza come from the city of Vega Baja, which is next to Vega Alta.-Early years :Childhood friends...
was completing the recording of their first album
Fiel a la Vega (album)
Fiel a la Vega is the debut album from Rock en Español band Fiel a la Vega, released in 1996. The album is still considered one of the most influential albums in Rock en Español.-Track listing:All songs written by Tito Auger, except where noted....
, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Ricky Laureano
Ricky Laureano
Ricky Laureano is a Puerto Rican musician most known for being the guitarist and one of the main songwriters of the Rock en Español band Fiel a la Vega.-Biography:...
(who was Román's brother-in-law
Brother-in-law
A brother-in-law is the brother of one's spouse, the husband of one's sibling, or the husband of one's spouse's sibling.-See also:*Affinity *Sister-in-law*Brothers in Law , a 1955 British comedy novel...
at the time) invited Román to play percussion in the song "El Wanabí". After that, they invited Román to play the songs "El Wanabí" and "Las Flores de Emilio" in their first concert. The latter was the first song of the set and after five songs, the band noticed that Román was still playing with them. The band liked it so much that they decided to include Román in the band.
The band's first album quickly achieved great success in the island releasing several radio hits and winning several awards. As of 2007, the band released four studio albums with Román.
On October 11, 2006, Román communicated with a letter to the fans and the press that he will be quitting the band after ten years. He stated that, despite not regretting the time spent with the band, he needed to slow down and dedicate time to his family. Román is the father of six children, two of them teenage daughters.