By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY

WILLIE COLÓN, AMERICAN, salsa musician and social activist died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, aged 75, reportedly in Westchester County.  
Photo courtesy of the family of Willie Colón

Musicians, elected officials, and regular Bronxites have been paying tribute to musician, salsa legend, producer, 10-time GRAMMY nominee, and Bronx native, Willie Colón, following his death, age 75, on Saturday, Feb. 21, reportedly at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Westchester County.

 

William Anthony Colón Román was born in the South Bronx on April 28, 1950 to Puerto Rican parents, and according to the Recording Academy of the United States, received his tenth GRAMMY nomination for Best Tropical Latin Performance for his 1995 album, “Tras La Tormenta,” [After the Storm] at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards in 1996.

THE SCENE OUTSIDE New York Presbyterian Hospital in Westchester County in Bronxville, NY on Saturday night, Feb. 21, 2026, where reportedly salsa legend Willie Colón died earlier the same day. 
Photo by Síle Moloney

According to Wikipedia, Colón began his career as a trombonist but also sang, wrote, produced and acted. According to encyclopedia.com and AllMusic.com, Colón was a pioneer of salsa music and a best-selling artist in the genre, having been a key figure in the nascent New York City scene associated with Faria Records. He was also a social activist, and according to reporting by The New York Times, he ran unsuccessfully for Congress at one point.

 

An extract from his family’s announcement of his death on social media, published in both English and Spanish, read, “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and renowned musician, Willie Colón. He passed away peacefully this morning, surrounded by his loving family.”

 

It continued, “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.”

 

It concluded, “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.”

WILLIE COLÓN’S FAMILY announce his death on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, via social media 
Photo courtesy of the family of Willie Colón via social media

Tributes started to circulate throughout Saturday, with Grammy-nominated musician, Bobby Sanabria, writing simply, “REST IN POWER” in response to the news of Colón’s death. Indeed, many of the artists who have performed at The Bronx’s Lehman Center for the Performing Arts mention in their biographies how they played with Colón over the course of their careers, including legendary salsa musician and Fania Records co-founder, Johnny Pacheco, known as the “Godfather of Salsa,” who died Feb. 15, 2021, at the age of 85.

Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Letitia James said of Colón, “From his music, to his time serving his communities, Willie Colón was a Bronx legend, and his legacy will live on. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.”

 

For her part, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said, “Willie Colón was a Nuyorican legend, artist and organizer who influenced generations of salsa and Latin jazz musicians. A Bronx native and Bronx Walk of Fame inductee who leaves behind a legacy of cultural pride, political consciousness, and groundbreaking sound. May he Rest in Peace and Power.”

THE SCENE OUTSIDE New York Presbyterian Hospital in Westchester County in Bronxville, NY on Saturday night, Feb. 21, 2026, where salsa legend Willie Colón reportedly died earlier the same day. Video by Síle Moloney

Bronx resident and freelance photographer with the Norwood News, Miriam Quiñones, said of the late musician, “He was a big legend. My mother used to play his music when we used to go to family gatherings. They used to play salsa. We went to clubs and everyone would be looking more at him, and not dancing.”

 

There was no sign of fans outside the hospital on Saturday evening, and hospital representatives declined to comment as to whether Colón had been a patient or whether his remains were still on site.

THE SOUND OF Latin music is heard at an upstairs venue on East Gun Hill Road near near Hull Avenue on Saturday night, Feb. 21, 2026, as Hispanic Bronxites celebrate the birthday of an 18-year-old girl on the same day that salsa legend Willie Colón dies. Video by Síle Moloney

Later on Saturday night Latin (though not all salsa) music was heard streaming from an upstairs venue in the Norwood section of The Bronx where a birthday party for an 18-year-old girl was being celebrated. When asked for her reaction, speaking in Spanish, one guest, Viviana, said she was not familiar with Colón.

 

Meanwhile, when asked if Colón was well known throughout Latin America, speaking in Spanish, a Mexican man, estimated to be in his late thirties who declined to be identified, said he had been, adding, “I first got to hear about him when when I was maybe around 16,” he said.

Funeral details for Colón are yet to be announced.