Ralphy pagan biography

Musical artist

Ralfi Pagán (born Rafael Pagán; 1946–1978) was a Borough, New York-basedLatin soul and salsa singer of Puerto Rican creditable who was active from say publicly mid-1960s until his death listed 1978.

He specialized in center ballads, sung both in Nation and English and released quintuplet albums during the 1970s. Earth is well known for honesty duet with Sylvia Robinson powerful Soul Je T'aime and fetch his solo reworking of Make It With You previously documented by David Gates and Clams. Ralfi toured with music director and promoter Eddie Torres pointless several years throughout the Sou'west United States.

Prior to going on tour Ralfi visited Eddie’s home to share he was leaving to Colombia. Eddie unwritten Ralfi he had a not expensive feeling about the trip. Eddie advised Ralfi not to walk. Ralfi went to Colombia counter Torres’ advise. In 1978, of course was murdered while on expert promotional tour in Colombia, Southeast America.

His murder remains wavering.

Early career

The first recording unconfined by Pagán was an all-but-unnoticed 45RPM single recorded in Novel York and released in 1966 on the RCA Victor title under the name Ray Ballplayer. Subsequently, as a backing singer Pagán featured on a expect of recordings by King Nando's Orchestra (real name Fernando Rivera)^[1] before in 1969, Pagán movable the self-titled album, Ralfi Pagan, on Fania Records^[2] produced gross Kenny Vance.

Issued twice, important with all Spanish sung dignities and shortly after with quadruplet English song titles substituted irritated four Spanish titles Pagán's falsetto tenor favored ballads such primate Who Is The Girl Get on to Me, Don't Stop Now, trip I Can't See Me Poverty-stricken You. This made him tremendously popular among young Latino Americans, particularly in the urban centers of Los Angeles and Newborn York, where Pagán made fine significant cultural impact.

He was also adept on up-tempo salsa such as his cover be paid Oscar Brown's Brother, Where Cast-offs You?

In 1971, he broke look over nationally with a Latin fall of Make It With You which entered the Billboard R&B chart on the 10 July 1971 for an eleven-week people during which it peaked go ashore #32.^[3] It sold 250,000 copies nationally and Pagán appeared put up to the nationally syndicated TV put into words Soul Train, making him edge your way of the first Latino artists to ever appear on nobility program.^[4]

Pagán released his second baby book titled With Love^[5] in 1971, produced by Harvey Averne extra Jerry Masucci.

Recorded in In mint condition York, the project consolidated coronate status among urban Latinos. Excellence album featured some of Pagán's most iconic work such by reason of “To Say I Love You,” “Stray Women,” his hit free “Make It With You,” tube Joe Baatan's love song “Just One of Your Kisses.” Pagán had his own style shambles Latin Soul vocalizing, playing grand large part in the target why he is considered say publicly epitome of the genre.

A further R&B hit in 1973 with Soul Je T'Aime, nifty duet with Sylvia Robinson puff of air Vibration records was his first name appearance on the national charts.

The Ralfi manual containing Latin soul and salsa-influenced tracks was released the by a long way year.

In 1975 he unfastened his fourth and final Fania album I Can See, which included his distinctive take to the rear the Smokey Robinson & say publicly Miracles track Ooh Baby Baby and the bittersweet Stay wounded of My Life.

Chicano favorite

By 1976 Pagán was based nonthreatening person Los Angeles where he proportionate with Colombian band leader jobber percussionist Mike Rojas. He make higher particular favor among young Chicanos for whom his persona bring in a sensitive Latin lover resonated. In Los Angeles he canned his last album El Flaco De Oro with Mike Rojas, who features with a timbal solo on the song gentle "Cubita Triste".

Ralfi became put in order regular on the thriving baton and salsa dance circuit walk included The Gold Dust go hard Garfield Avenue in Montebello, Blue blood the gentry King's Table in Pico Muralist, The Monterey West in Suck in air Los Angeles and the Mardi Gras across from MacArthur Park.^[6]

Pagán maintained a parallel career considerably a salsa singer and whereas a latin style disco songstress.

He released Girl From Significance Mountain on Coco records fell 1976, a record aimed largely at the disco market. Dignity album El Flaco De Oro, (sung entirely in Spanish), nevertheless, represented him as a salsa singer. This release appeared grab Pumpkris Records, for whom prohibited also handled production duties circus an album by Johnny Admiral entitled Ralfi Pagan Presenta Johnny Nelson - El Principe furnish La Salsa. Pagán's final unheard of release is the disco clinking "Take Me With You" b/w "Heaven Sent You" also perfect Pumpkris.

An album Take Unmodified With You^[7] was scheduled, on the other hand Pagán's early death curtailed loom over release.

Death in Colombia

Pagán challenging a large following in Inhabitant America and regularly appeared sketch South America. Substituting for individual Fania Records performer Joe Corregidor while on tour in Colombia in 1978, Pagán was murdered.^[8] His family was told divagate a promoter arranged for climax murder to avoid payment help money due with his object being left on a go into liquidation beach.^[9]

Most of Pagán's back assort has been made available by reason of the mid-1990s, and he evenhanded now probably better known obtain the general music-listening public puzzle he was during his date.

A Fania track from 1973, "The Gambler", was featured delight in the Leon Ichaso film Pinero (2001) starring Benjamin Bratt sort the poet-playwright-actor Miguel Pinero.

Discography

Albums

• 1971: Ralfi Pagan
• 1971: With Love
• 1973: Ralfi
• 1975: I Can See
• 1978: El Flaco de Oro
• 1978: Take Me Pounce on You (unreleased)

Selected Singles

• 1966: Don't Have time out Now / Ain't No True self (Left In These Shoes)
• 1969: Who Is The Girl For Me
• 1970: Don't Stop Now
• 1971: Make Leave behind With You / Stray Woman (US #104; US R&B #32)
• 1971: Mi Camacho / Negrona
• 1971: Baby I'm-A Want You / Face At Her
• 1971: I Can't Bare Me Without You
• 1972: Up Domination The Roof / The Gambler
• 1973: Soul Je T'Aime (with Sylvia)
• 1974: Wonderful Thing / To Constraint I Love You
• 1975: Just Summon A Little While
• 1975: La Vida
• 1976: Girl From The Mountain
• 1978: Take Me With You / Nirvana Sent You

References

External links