Bobby Cruz

Closely associated with pianist Ricardo Ray for much of his career, vocalist Bobby Cruz enjoyed over a decade of fame as a trailblazer of boogaloo and subsequently salsa before receding from the spotlight during the 1980s and refocusing his efforts on Christianity. Cruz began his recording career as a vocalist in the Ricardo Ray Orchestra in 1964 on Fonseca Records, and by the end of the decade, after singing lead vocals on such hits as "Mr. Trumpet Man," he'd earned himself co-billing on the duo's albums for Alegre Records. In 1970 Ray and Cruz moved from New York City to Puerto Rico, where they opened a club and, beginning with their classic El Bestial Sonido de Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz (1971), recorded albums for Vaya Records, a subsidiary of Fania Records. In 1974 they were declared Los Reyes de la Salsa (the Kings of Salsa) and, in the aftermath of this honor, converted to Christianity and began making lifestyle changes. Though the duo continued recording for Vaya well into the 1980s, they redirected their energy toward church activities as the decade carried on. From 1983 until 1998, with the exception of one farewell album in 1987, they effectively disappeared from the music scene. Then, beginning with a 1999 reunion, they resumed activity as a live performance and recording duo, casting much of their music in a Christian light. They were given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2006 Latin Grammys and were nominated for Best Contemporary Tropical Album the following year. Born on February 2, 1938, in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico, Roberto Cruz Feliciano grew up on a farm in the countryside. His prime musical influence was El Gran Combo. After moving with his family to New York City, he met and befriended pianist Ricardo "Richie" Ray, whose orchestra he joined as a...