“While we grieve his absence, we also rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories he created that will live on forever,” the statement reads. “Our family is deeply grateful for your prayers and support during this time of mourning. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate our grief.”<\/p>\n
Throughout his career, the New York-born musician was nominated for 10 Grammy Awards and received a lifetime achievement award at the Latin Grammys in 2004.<\/p>\n
He collaborated with music icons, including H\u00e9ctor Lavoe and Celia Cruz. Alongside Rub\u00e9n Blades, he recorded\u00a0the 1987 album “Siembra,” the best-selling salsa album of all time.<\/p>\n
![\"Legendary](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1d4d4a8ef1755e931446300880009d42.jpeg\"\/)
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Legendary musician Willie Colon arrives at the BMI’s 13th Annual Latin Awards at the 18th Street Pavilion on April 7, 2006, in New York City.<\/p>\n
Born in the South Bronx of New York City in 1950 and raised in a Puerto Rican household, Col\u00f3n took to music at an early age, learning to play the trumpet and trombone. By the time he was a teenager, he landed a record deal with Fania Records and released his debut album, “El Malo,” in 1967 before turning 18.<\/p>\n
Aside from music, he was a proud activist who was appointed a representative advisor to former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg<\/a> and a liaison to the New York City Latin Media & Entertainment Commission in 2003, a role he served for over a decade.<\/p>\n Col\u00f3n was also a member of the Latino Commission on AIDS and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, as well as the ASCAP national board, becoming the first person of color to join.<\/p>\n He also made time for acting with roles in films like 1982’s “Vigilante,” 1983’s “The Last Fight” and 1994’s “It Could Happen to You.” On television, he guest-starred as a drug dealer in a 1987 episode of “Miami Vice” and played himself on a 1992 episode of “The Cosby Show.”<\/p>\n “From those roots grew a profound devotion to culture, heritage, and truth. He did not simply represent his community; he amplified it,” Craft Recordings said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. “Beyond music, Willie was a voice for his community \u2014 an activist and a public servant. He understood that rhythm could move people, but also hearts\u2014and that songs could spark change.”<\/p>\n With over 40 albums, he captivated listeners with his portrayal of the Puerto Rican experience.<\/p>\n Last year, he appeared in the music video for Bad Bunny<\/a>\u2019s “Nuevayol,” off the Super Bowl headliner’s Grammy-winning album “DeB\u00cd TiRAR M\u00e1S FOToS<\/a>.”<\/p>\n (This story was updated to add a video.)<\/p>\n