Willie Colon, an American salsa musician and social activist, passed away at the age of 75 on February 21, 2026, from respiratory issues.
He died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.
Willie Colón was a giant of Latin music and a unique voice in American culture.
He was a virtuoso trombonist, a gifted singer, producer, and a social activist who used his art to tell the stories of the city streets. He was a true pioneer of salsa music who joined the legendary Fania Records at just 17.
Willie was a key architect of the genre’s signature sound. His gritty, hard-driving trombone and his collaborations with the incomparable Héctor Lavoe created some of salsa’s most enduring anthems.
He became a best-selling artist who brought the vibrant energy of New York’s Latin scene to the world.
Willie was also a master of image and storytelling. He amously adopted a gangster persona on his album covers, a visual representation of the tough, urban realities of barrio life that his music so often depicted.
As his career evolved, so did his activism. He became deeply involved in the politics of New York City from the 1980s onward, fighting for the rights and representation of the Latino community.
A towering voice in Latin music, a cornerstone of the Fania All Stars, and an architect of a sound that defined an era and reshaped generations. Forever in the music.
Jazz Is Dead
William “Willie” Colón, Salsa Icon and Social Activist, Dies at 75
William Anthony Colón Román was the visionary trombonist, composer, producer, and social activist who helped shape the sound of modern salsa and gave a voice to the urban Latino experience.
His representatives confirmed that he passed away peacefully from respiratory issues.
Willie’s family and manager shared the news of his passing through social media posts, prompting an outpouring of grief from fans and musicians around the world.
Born on April 28, 1950, in the South Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Willie was a prodigious talent who emerged as a central figure in the Fania Records movement of the late 1960s and 70s.
Willie didn’t just change salsa; he expanded it, politicized it, clothed it in urban chronicles, and took it to stages where it hadn’t been heard before.
Pietro Carlos
His trombone was the voice of the people, an echo of the Caribbean in New York, a bridge between two cultures.
Records like El Malo, Cosa Nuestra, and Lo Mato were raw, innovative, and theatrical, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms with the gritty, urban reality of New York City streets. His signature, often menacing trombone sound, became one of the most recognizable in all of Latin music.
His music was a platform for commentary on injustice, poverty, politics, and the immigrant experience. He used his voice and his art to advocate for the Latino community and challenge the status quo, a commitment he maintained throughout his life.
Willie is survived by his wife and his four sons, who were by his side in his final moments.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and renowned musician, Willie Colón. He passed away peacefully this morning, surrounded by his loving family.
Willie Colón
While we grieve his absence, we also rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories he created that will live on forever. Our family is deeply grateful for your prayers and support during this time of mourning. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate our grief.
Willie leaves behind an indelible legacy as a fearless innovator, a powerful voice for the voiceless, and one of the most important architects of Latin music.
His trombone may have fallen silent, but the rhythm and message of his music will endure for generations.
Rest In Peace, William Anthony Colón Román.
Leave a Comment