Funny Story
CELIA CRUZ
Cruz was born on the date of October 21, 1925 in Havana, Cuba. She was born as Ursula Hilaria Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso to the parents of Catalina Alfonso and Simon Cruz. Her trademark quote was “azucar” meaning sugar in the Spanish language. She was the first female salsa mega-star and today she’s known as the Queen of Salsa. She was raised in the neighborhood of Santo Suarez along with 14 other siblings. She was the second of 4 children. Life in this neighborhood was very brutal and rough growing up as a poor child especially for Celia because she was very small and skinny. Although Celia’s father believed that she should become a teacher because it was more common for a Cuban woman at the time she strived to become a singer. Determination allowed her to start singing at a young age winning small contest and prizes. Her first attempt of being famous was when she became the lead vocalist for the tropical band Sonora Matancera. Rogelio Martinez, the band leader remained a firm belief in her, even though executives believed that a woman that sang the way she did was not going to sell. Cruz toured with the band in the 1950’s after her first subsequent CD became a success. In 1959 the band along with Cruz went on tour to Mexico. By this time in Cuba communist Castro had taken over and the group refused to return to Havana therefore they entered and settled in the United States of America. She became a U.S citizen in the year of 1961 and Fidel Castro was furious and banned her from returning to her homeland. In 1960 she married trumpet player (La Sonora Matancera) Pedro Knight. Her career began to advance when she combined her workings with chiefs Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colon. She appeared in the rock opera Hommy in 1973 causing her reputation to be spread amongst and beyond the Hispanic community. In the 1970’s Cruz signed for the new salsa Fania Label and recorded with the Fania All-Stars. The Fania All-Stars album Live at Yankee
Cruz was born on the date of October 21, 1925 in Havana, Cuba. She was born as Ursula Hilaria Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso to the parents of Catalina Alfonso and Simon Cruz. Her trademark quote was “azucar” meaning sugar in the Spanish language. She was the first female salsa mega-star and today she’s known as the Queen of Salsa. She was raised in the neighborhood of Santo Suarez along with 14 other siblings. She was the second of 4 children. Life in this neighborhood was very brutal and rough growing up as a poor child especially for Celia because she was very small and skinny. Although Celia’s father believed that she should become a teacher because it was more common for a Cuban woman at the time she strived to become a singer. Determination allowed her to start singing at a young age winning small contest and prizes. Her first attempt of being famous was when she became the lead vocalist for the tropical band Sonora Matancera. Rogelio Martinez, the band leader remained a firm belief in her, even though executives believed that a woman that sang the way she did was not going to sell. Cruz toured with the band in the 1950’s after her first subsequent CD became a success. In 1959 the band along with Cruz went on tour to Mexico. By this time in Cuba communist Castro had taken over and the group refused to return to Havana therefore they entered and settled in the United States of America. She became a U.S citizen in the year of 1961 and Fidel Castro was furious and banned her from returning to her homeland. In 1960 she married trumpet player (La Sonora Matancera) Pedro Knight. Her career began to advance when she combined her workings with chiefs Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colon. She appeared in the rock opera Hommy in 1973 causing her reputation to be spread amongst and beyond the Hispanic community. In the 1970’s Cruz signed for the new salsa Fania Label and recorded with the Fania All-Stars. The Fania All-Stars album Live at Yankee