Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez

January 31, 1932 - December 1, 2000

As most folks already know, we have lost another "Salsa" legend, Pedro Juan Rodriguez Ferrer, know to his legion of fan as Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. "El Conde" died in his sleep Friday night of an apparent heart attack. He had suffered two previous heart attacks over the last couple of years and had decided not to undergo open-heart surgery.

"El Conde", who was bestowed the moniker by his barber, started his professional career as a singer with Pacheco sharing vocal duties with Monguito "El Unico" and the late Chivirico Davila. Eventually he would leave the band for an opportunity to record as a lead vocalist with Conjunto Sensación. "El Conde" would return with Pacheco after Monguito's departure. The rest, as they say, is history. Together with Pacheco, "El Conde" would go on the record a series of hits that to this day are played wherever people gather to dance.

Aside from his work with Pacheco and Conjunto Sensación "El Conde" has worked and recorded with the Fania All Stars and as a soloist.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Frances, his son trumpeter/vocalist Pedro Emilio, and daughter Carmen. QEPD.

Our condolences as well go out to the families of Ray Aviles and Johnny "La Vaca" Rodriguez. Ray Aviles was an associate of Jerry Masucci and Ralph Mercado throughout the glory days of the "Salsa" era. At the time of his death he was booking and managing artists in the South Florida region. "La Vaca", the father of John "Dandy" Rodriguez, was himself a first-call percussionist. He worked throughout the 1950's - 60's with the Machito, Tito Rodriguez, and Tito Puente orchestras, to name just a few.