Willie Colón, one of salsa’s foundational architects, died at 75, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape the sound, identity, and political voice of Latino communities in New York and beyond. NPR’s remembrance highlights his role in salsa’s rise, his collaborations with Héctor Lavoe and Rubén Blades, and the lasting impact of Siembra as a landmark in the genre. Click here to read more.

Source credit: NPR (via KNPR/Nevada Public Radio), Felix Contreras.
Photo credit: Michael Ochs Archives