JOHNNY COLON A MAN OF MANY TALENTS. I first met Johnny during our teen years in El Barrio, a place we call home. A well-mannered individual with a deep sounding voice and always well groomed. He gravitated to music at a very young age and his disciplinary ways served him well. His vocal group was one of the most liked in the neighborhood. During his high school years he aspired to become a lawyer, but music was deeply rooted in his veins. It wasn’t a question as to which instrument would become his main one, he was determined to learn as many as he could. It was during the pachanga era that he decided to create his own musical group called la orchestra ardiente de Johnny Colon, a charanga band. He was willing to perform at a reasonable price anywhere, as long as his financial demands were met. His charanga band was gaining popularity as the new kids on the block. Then the pachanga began to die out and Johnny knew that it was time for a change. So he put down the bass and became the piano player of the group. By conforming to the sound of the moment, Johnny’s band became even more likeable. Everyone was looking for something new and he was not about to stay behind. Then it happened, record labels were looking for young fresh talent that could identify with the movement of the day. George Goldner a well-known producer had built a reputation for discovering new talent and after a couple of visits to the bands rehearsal, George was convinced that he had found what he was looking for. It came in the form of a song called the Boogaloo Blues. Which I had the privilege of writing the lyrics. Johnny Colon became identified as one of the most popular Boogaloo Latin Soul bands of that era. Even though the band also played what today is known as salsa. Before you knew it everyone was recording Boogaloo songs. I went on to form my own band and Johnny continued on until the death of George Goldner. Slowly but surely the Boogaloo repertoire began to disappear and the word Salsa took center stage. Johnny’s versatility and creative writing kept him a float for a while, but it was time to move on. Since playing his musical instruments gave him such joy and satisfaction, he decided to share his talent with other young men and women who desired to learn how to play an instrument. What started out as just an idea turned into a full blown project. The East Harlem School of music was born and one was able to study at no cost. This went on for a number of years, producing some of today’s finest musicians. Then without warning, financial support for the school was withdrawn. Before you knew it, the school had to close its doors. It was one disappointment after another. Johnnie’s world was crumbling right before his eyes. First the band, then the school and to make matters worse, the death of the two people he cared for the most, his mother and his wife. Depression became a part of his daily life. He would roam the streets of his neighborhood without a sense of belonging. To think that a man, who had reached the pinnacle of his career and had given so much of his time to others, would now lie in a hospital bed with no one to turn to is a sad thought. A nurse at the hospital took a liken to him, and before long he was back on his feet. Ready to reclaim his place in society he remarried and moved from El Barrio. But he could not abandon the thought that there were kids in his old neighborhood eager to learn how to play an instrument. Then the opportunity for him to teach music in an after school program was offered and he jumped at the idea. Once again he is teaching young boys and girls one at a time how to play an instrument. His dream of singing with a trio the classic pop songs that he had grown to love has become a reality. From time to time you can catch one of his performances with the band at a local night spot and dance to your favorite Johnny Colon song. He served his community whole heartedly and in the mist of adversity he was able to overcome. I may not agree with some of the decisions that were made during the time that I served as the singer for his band, and I believe that credit should be given where credit is due. I also believe that Johnny Colon is a man of many talents, and worthy of honor. Written by, Tito Ramos.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 04:17:50 +0000
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