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Willie Colón, Defining Force in Salsa, Dies at 75

No medical cause has been disclosed following a family announcement of his peaceful passing.

Overview

  • Colón's family said he died peacefully on the morning of February 21 at age 75 and asked for privacy as they thanked fans for their support.
  • In the days before his death, local reports and social posts indicated he was admitted to Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville with respiratory complications.
  • Neither the family nor the hospital has released an official cause of death or detailed medical bulletin.
  • Tributes poured in from across the salsa community, including messages from Rubén Blades, Bobby Valentín, Víctor Manuelle and Elvis Crespo, along with institutions such as The Latin Recording Academy.
  • A Bronx-born trombonist, composer and producer, Colón helped shape modern salsa through Fania Records and landmark collaborations with Héctor Lavoe and Rubén Blades.