Johnny Pacheco

Composer

Birthday March 25, 1935

Birth Sign Aries

Birthplace Dominican Republic

DEATH DATE Feb 15, 2021 (85)

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About

Dominican-American musician and composer known as the Godfather of Salsa. He was a legendary bandleader who co-founded Fania Records in 1964. 

Before Fame

He studied percussion at The Juilliard School.

Trivia

He and Jerry Masucci, a former New York City police officer, started Fania with $5,000. They earned the money selling albums in Spanish Harlem from the trunks of their cars.

Family Life

He and his family moved from the Dominican Republic to New York when he was 11 years old. He had a wife named María Elena Pacheco. They had two daughters named Norma and Joanne, and two sons named Elis and Phillip.

Associated With

His label represented artists such as Celia CruzCheo FelicianoWillie ColónRubén Blades and Héctor Lavoe.