Frankie Ruiz

Frankie Ruiz
Background information
Birth name	Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz
Also known as	El Papa de la Salsa
Born	(1958-03-10)March 10, 1958 Paterson, New Jersey, USA
Died	August 9, 1998(1998-08-09) (aged 40) New York, New York, USA
Genres	Salsa
Years active	1971–1998
Labels	Rodven Records

Frankie Ruiz (March 10, 1958 - August 9, 1998) was a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer.

Early years

Ruiz (birth name: Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz ) was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. His parents moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in search of a better way of life. In Paterson, Ruiz received his primary and secondary education. As a child he enjoyed singing to the tunes of salsa and as a young man joined a local band called The Charlie Lopez Orchestra. With this band he recorded his first song Salsa Buena. In 1976, Ruiz moved to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico with his mother after his parents divorced.

Musical career

In Puerto Rico, Ruiz became a fan of a salsa band called La Solucion, directed by Roberto Rivera and learned all of their songs. He attended every concert and show. On one occasion, Ruiz's mother asked Rivera to give her son an opportunity to sing in the band, but to no avail. However, as fate would have it, in 1977, Ruiz was present at one of their shows where the lead singer did not show up. Rivera felt that he had no other choice but to give Ruiz a try. He was a success and was hired by Rivera. With La Solucion, Ruiz re-recorded a new version of Salsa Buena. He performed with the band for three years and recorded his first hit single La Rueda.

In 1980, Ruiz joined Tommy Olivencia and his Primerisima Orchestra. His youth and style known as Sensual Salsa helped to bring in a new generation of salsa followers. His first major hit was with the song, Lo Dudo, which was previously recorded by José José. In 1983, Ruiz decided to go solo and had hits with Puerto Rico, Tú Con El, Mirandote, Desnudate Mujer, Deseandote, La Cura, Bailando, Mi Libertad and many more. He traveled extensively throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States performing and always used the phrases "Vaya, Mi China" (Go, My Baby)- China was his wife Judith Ruiz and mother of his daughter Cristina Ruiz and son Frankie Ruiz Jr. -, and "¿Que que?" (What, What?) as his trademarks. He was then called "El Papa de la Salsa" (The Father of Salsa).

Later years and death

La Concha Acústica Frankie Ruiz del Palacio de Recreación en Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (Image taken on July, 2007 by F.R.)

Ruiz began to use illegal drugs and became an alcoholic. During a flight after one of his concerts he attacked a flight attendant. He was arrested and sentenced to three years at the federal prison in Jacksonville, Texas for the incident. Ruiz's last song was "Vuelvo a Nacer", where he describes his errors in life by taking the wrong way and that he declares himself born again. His voice was heard raspy compared to his earlier career due to the effects of his drug use. Frankie Ruiz became ill and was hospitalized on July 11, 1998, after performing at Madison Square Garden in New York City. On August 9, 1998, Frankie eventually died from Liver failure at the age of 40, a month after his final concert at Madison Square Garden . Before his burial, his remains were taken to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, for a memorial service. He was later interred at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Bergen County, New Jersey.

The city government of Mayagüez later renamed an auditorium next to the "Palacio de Recreación y Deportes" in Ruiz's honor. He is survived by his son, Frankie Ruiz Jr, his two brothers, Viti and Nelson Ruiz, and his wife.

Recordings

External audio

You may listen to a mix of various songs by Frankie Ruiz here.

With Orquesta La Solucion

1. La Rueda
2. Separemos Nuestras Vidas
3. La Vecina

With Tommy Olivencia y su Orquesta

1. Primero Fui Yo
2. Lo Dudo
3. Como Lo Hacen
4. Cosa Nativas
5. No Que No
6. Como una Estrella

Albums

Solo Career:

* Solista Pero No Solo (1985)	* Voy Pa' Encima (1987)	* En Vivo y... a Todo Color..! (1988)
1. Ahora Me Toca a Mi 2. Esta Cobardia 3. Como le Gustan a Usted 4. Tú Con El 5. La Cura 6. El Camionero 7. Si Esa Mujer Me Dice Que Si 8. Amor de un Momento	1. Quiero Llenarte 2. Si No Te Hubieras Ido 3. Desnudate Mujer 4. Mujeres 5. No Me Hables Mal De Ella 6. Imposible Amor 7. Quiero Verte 8. Voy Pa' Encima	1. Me Acostumbre 2. Mujer 3. Solo Por Ti 4. Dile a Él 5. La Rueda Vuelve a Rodar 6. Si Te Entregas a Mi 7. Por Eso 8. Y No Puedo

* Mas Grande Que Nunca (1989)	* Mi Libertad (1992)	* Puerto Rico Soy Tuyo (1993)
1. Para Darte Fuego 2. Tú Eres 3. Me Dejo 4. Entre el Fuego y la Pared 5. Amantes de Otro Tiempo 6. En Época de Celo 7. Deseándote 8. Señora	1. Mi Libertad 2. Esta Vez Sí Voy Pa' Encima 3. No Supiste Esperar 4. Otra Vez 5. Voy a Estrenar 6. Bailando 7. Ella Tiene Que Saber 8. ¿Quién Es Tu Amigo?	1. Tú Me Vuelves Loco 2. Puerto Rico 3. Nunca Te Quedas 4. Tal Como Lo Soñé 5. Me Faltas 6. Perdón Señora 7. Háblame 8. Nos Sorprendió El Amanecer

* Mirándote (1994)	* Tranquilo (1996)	* Nacimientos y Recuerdos (1998)
1. Mas Allá de la Piel 2. No Dudes de Mi 3. Tenerte 4. La Que Me Quita y No Me Da 5. Mirándote 6. Obsesión 7. Por Haberte Amado Tanto 8. Mi Formula de Amor	1. Tranquilo 2. Complícame 3. Ironía 4. Sigue Siendo Mia 5. Cada Uno Por Su Lado 6. Mas Allá del Tiempo 7. Seguir Intentándolo 8. Déjame Quererte 9. Infidelidad	1. Vuelvo a Nacer 2. Mirándote 3. Bailando 4. Mi Libertad 5. Puerto Rico 6. Voy Pa' Encima 7. Quiero Llenarte 8. Tú Con Él 9. La Cura 10. Para Darte Fuego 11. Ironía 12. Esta Cobardía

Legacy

Puerto Rican singer Jerry Rivera, who met Ruiz when he was 13 years old and whom he considered his idol, recorded an album titled Canto a mi Idolo...Frankie Ruiz in 2003 with Ruiz's songs as a tribute to Frankie Ruiz. The album cover contains a photo of Rivera and Ruiz that Rivera's father took of them. In 2004, another album tribute to Frankie Ruiz was released featuring various artists. The album was titled Va Por Ti, Frankie. Frankie Ruiz Jr is following his fathers footsteps as a Salsa Singer. He has released 3 singles. -La Despedida (urban) -Provocadora (urban) -Vete ya (salsa).

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans

External links

• Popular Culture
• Unofficial Site - Biography, Discography, Lyrics
• Frankie's Grave at Find A Grave
• Frankie Ruiz - Fan Site