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Johnny Rivera Born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx, NY.

Better known as El Noble de la Salsa, with more than 40 years of artistic career, a descendant of Puerto Rican parents.

He began his artistic career in New York, thanks to the influence of his uncle Adalberto Santiago, he began to demonstrate a strong inclination towards music and a great desire to prosper as a singer and learn all genres of music and especially Salsa, he continued his studies to improve his technique in singing and in a short time as a singer and chorus singer, he joined his uncle Adalberto Santiago and once he had the backing.

JOHNNY showed his talent, recording in the album Noche caliente, Volume 2, the song “Terciopelo y piedra” with Meñique and Tito Allen.

In 1980 JOHNNY RIVERA, was presented with the opportunity to record with several great orchestras that put him in the spotlight of the Music Industry, including a youth orchestra, Grupo Fascinación.

He recorded three additional albums, later he also received the opportunity to join Conjunto Clasico, standing out as a lead singer, he recorded two albums with Conjunto Clasico before leaving for his solo career, he recorded his first album now for real in his debut as a soloist, he stayed between Puerto Rico and New York.

The songs “Necesito Una Amiga”, “Esa Chica Es Mia” and “Como Fui A Enamorarme de ti” were hits from that production and the salsa singer had already recorded his second album entitled Encuentro Casual.

The first single from this album, “Te Regalare”, became a hit upon its release.

In 1993, Johnny Rivera recorded his third album, Cuando Parara La Lluvia, which featured three hit singles, “Cuando Parara La Lluvia”, “Por Eso está conmigo” and “Voy a Conquistar Tu Amor”.

Cuando Parara La Lluvia earned platinum accolades shortly after its release and made an impact around the world.

Rivera made a name for himself at New York’s Madison Square Garden, during his tenure with the late Ralph Mercado’s RMM label, Johnny Rivera had the opportunity to join another of the most important music star conglomerates of all time, the RMM Salsa Stars or the also renowned Combination Perfecta, where along with salsa artist Ray Sepulveda he earned multiple Gold and Platinum Records for sales in the United States and Latin America, including the Caribbean for the worldwide hit titled “No vale la Pena”.

In 1994 Johnny received the Paoli Award for Newcomer of the Year and the Diplo Award for Best Album of the Year.

Johnny Rivera has also obtained first places in the Billboard charts and has performed in the most important stages of the world such as Madison Square Garden in New York and is one of the most recognized salsa artists worldwide who has traveled with his music and charisma to cities around the world such as Cali, Bogota, Medellin, Venezuela, Lima, Quito, Guayaquil, Panama City, Guadalajara, San Jose, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, among many others, always enjoying great acceptance and popularity in recent years.

Now Johnny Rivera, a salsa legend hopes to surpass the success of his past and present musical endeavors with a resume that boasts the accomplishments that only a man of his caliber and experience can show.

For this year 2021 El Noble de la Salsa launches his latest album titled “Romántico y Algo Mas” 

Already available on all digital platforms…!

The magic of a great musician is that he has the key to open your soul.  He takes you to a dimension full of happy emotions, you forget all your pain and troubles and you just dance!  For the Yoruba’s, one of the sons of Obatala, is Changó. He represents strength, virility, drums, music, fire, lightning, dance, justice, the need and joy for living.  If one person was all of that, it was Mr. Johnny Polanco.  Mr. Polanco is dearly remembered by all those whose life he touched.  This June 2nd marks the sixth year of his passing.   Altagracia and Socrates, from Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo were his parents.  They lived in the Bronx in New York.  Socrates was the owner of an auto mechanic shop.  This is probably where Johnny first came into contact with automobile engines.  He developed a passion for working with automobile engines.  Johnny graduated from Alfred E. Smith High School; a school reputed for teaching shops.  It’s very probable that he furthered his knowledge of engines there. His talent grew to engineering levels.  If anyone could fix a problem on an engine, it was Johnny.  All the musicians knew that if there was a problem, it was Johnny who could fix it for them. There’s a story about how DJ Robbie called Johnny at home one such time at around 3:00 am and Johnny got out of bed and went to his aid.   His other passion was music.  Johnny never attended music school.  He mastered a number of instruments, all on his own. Everyone says that around five years of age, he was given a guitar.  But it wasn’t until the age of ten, that he became serious in learning music.  At the age of fourteen, he was already playing with the Steve Colon band. He played with a number of New York groups, Charanga Sensual, Conjunto Saoco to name a few. Johnny had flat feet, but nonetheless in 1979 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp.  The Marine Corps capitalized on his knowledge of engines and assigned him to the motor pool. His early assignments were in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Parris Island, South Carolina, and Okinawa, Japan. Johnny was a patriotic American who loved and served his country.  Just before enlisting in the service at twenty-four, Marion Gonzalez gave birth to Christopher and three years later to Melody.  In 1980 the marines sent Johnny to the west coast, Camp Pendleton, California. Marion and Johnny married, but their union did not survive. Marion and Johnny had joint custody. Johnny’s visitation turn was usually from Fridays after school to Monday morning, returning them to school.  In 1984 Johnny was playing at the New Porter Inn, in Newport Beach, California.  That night he met Joanna, a lady from Bronx.  They say it was love at first sight.  On January 23, 1987 they married and she remained his companion for the rest of Johnny’s life.  Joanna worked as a Registered Nurse and had two children of her own, Angela and Anthony Wheaton.  They made their home in Lakewood, California, where they had all their four children together on the weekends.  They were fortunate, because the kids all got along well. Some called them the Brady Bunch.

The long full gear marches and Johnny’s flat feet became a problem. In 1987, with the rank of E-5 sergeant, Johnny decided to be a full-time musician and separated from the Marines.  Close to their Lakewood home Johnny took a daytime job working for Mr. Tom Scott a Union 76 service station owner. Johnny stayed with Tom for next six years, when Tom sold in 1992.  The job was conveniently within walking distance of his Lakewood home.

In Hollywood, there was a Vietnam disabled veteran who had been studying business, Armando Castro.  Completing his studies, Armando opened a small restaurant. Although of Nicaraguan origin, Armando decided to serve Cuban food and named the restaurant El Floridita. On Monday nights they started to play Salsa.  Cali Aleman was the first band that played.

In 1993 Orquesta Versatil was playing on Monday nights. It was then that Armando Castro introduced Johnny to the band leader, Carlos Navarro.  At the time Versatil was a popular, strong, well liked band and Johnny fitted right in.  Then things started to happen, the band leader Carlos had to fly to Venezuela, also the arranger Niño Jesus Alejandro went to Canada. So, they held a meeting with Armando.  “mete mano Johnny, put a band together and take over.”  For the next 22 years Johnny played Monday night with his Conjunto Amistad at El Floridita.   Johnny’s band was in demand.

Albert Torres was a consultant and MC to over 50 yearly Salsa Congress’ around the world.  Albert had a lot of connections and started to manage Johnny for some 15 years.  With Albert’s connections the band played in Japan, England, Italy, Spain, China, Thailand, Mexico, Costa Rica to name a few.  Everyone was busy with little time to spare, eventually Johnny started handling his own bookings and the relationship with Albert just disappeared.

In business they always say location, location, location! Nothing could be truer than that for “El Floridita.”  You see folks, this little restaurant in a small strip mall, is just across the street from … Pickford Center.  What’s Pickford Center? It’s the film industry Academy of Arts.  You know the “Oscars!”  The clientele boasted of directors, writers, producers, actors like Patrick Swayze, Jay Leno, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Mick Jagger, Edward Olmos to name a few.  They didn’t just go there to eat; it was the film industry’s connection to Salsa and the work just poured in.  Johnny played for Hugh Heffner at the Playboy mansion and also the Playboy Jazz Festival. Prince chose Johnny to be his opening act in Las Vegas.  Johnny did the music for countless films (see bio).    When a victorious general was paraded in Rome, above his head, a slave would hold the laurel reave, while at the same time continuously whispering “this too shall pass.” The idea was to keep him grounded. Johnny didn’t need that.  He was a man who saw the injustice in the world and was always looking out for the little guy, the underdog.  He was a man who shared the wealth.  Many remember how Johnny would call them to give their bands work.  To this day many a story is told about how Johnny helped them out.  He was a man who in his car, would carry cat food and milk to feed the strays.  May God bless you in heaven Johnny.  We remember you as a kind man who loved and cared for the poor.   His accomplishments were so many that we created a link for you to view the photos and also his biography of recognitions and accomplishments.

Changó

The magic of a great musician is that he has the key to open your soul.  He takes you to a dimension full of happy emotions, you forget all your pain and troubles and you just dance!  For the Yoruba’s, one of the sons of Obatala, is Changó. He represents strength, virility, drums, music, fire, lightning, dance, justice, the need and joy for living.  If one person was all of that, it was Mr. Johnny Polanco.  Mr. Polanco is dearly remembered by all those whose life he touched.  This June 2nd marks the sixth year of his passing.  Altagracia and Socrates, from Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo were his parents.  They lived in the Bronx in New York.  Socrates was the owner of an auto mechanic shop.  This is probably where Johnny first came into contact with automobile engines.  He developed a passion for working with automobile engines.  Johnny graduated from Alfred E. Smith High School; a school reputed for teaching shops.  It’s very probable that he furthered his knowledge of engines there. His talent grew to engineering levels.  If anyone could fix a problem on an engine, it was Johnny.  All the musicians knew that if there was a problem, it was Johnny who could fix it for them. There’s a story about how DJ Robbie called Johnny at home one such time at around 3:00 am and Johnny got out of bed and went to his aid.
His other passion was music.  Johnny never attended music school.  He mastered a number of instruments, all on his own. Everyone says that around five years of age, he was given a guitar.  But it wasn’t until the age of ten, that he became serious in learning music.  At the age of fourteen, he was already playing with the Steve Colon band. He played with a number of New York groups, Charanga Sensual, Conjunto Saoco to name a few.
Johnny had flat feet, but nonetheless in 1979 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp.  The Marine Corps capitalized on his knowledge of engines and assigned him to the motor pool. His early assignments were in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Parris Island, South Carolina, and Okinawa, Japan. Johnny was a patriotic American who loved and served his country.  Just before enlisting in the service at twenty-four, Marion Gonzalez gave birth to Christopher and three years later to Melody.  In 1980 the marines sent Johnny to the west coast, Camp Pendleton, California. Marion and Johnny married, but their union did not survive. Marion and Johnny had joint custody. Johnny’s visitation turn was usually from Fridays after school to Monday morning, returning them to school.
In 1984 Johnny was playing at the New Porter Inn, in Newport Beach, California.  That night he met Joanna, a lady from Bronx.  They say it was love at first sight.  On January 23, 1987 they married and she remained his companion for the rest of Johnny’s life.  Joanna worked as a Registered Nurse and had two children of her own, Angela and Anthony Wheaton.  They made their home in Lakewood, California, where they had all their four children together on the weekends.  They were fortunate, because the kids all got along well. Some called them the Brady Bunch.

The long full gear marches and Johnny’s flat feet became a problem. In 1987, with the rank of E-5 sergeant, Johnny decided to be a full-time musician and separated from the Marines.  Close to their Lakewood home Johnny took a daytime job working for Mr. Tom Scott a Union 76 service station owner. Johnny stayed with Tom for next six years, when Tom sold in 1992.  The job was conveniently within walking distance of his Lakewood home.

In Hollywood, there was a Vietnam disabled veteran who had been studying business, Armando Castro.  Completing his studies, Armando opened a small restaurant. Although of Nicaraguan origin, Armando decided to serve Cuban food and named the restaurant El Floridita. On Monday nights they started to play Salsa.  Cali Aleman was the first band that played.

In 1993 Orquesta Versatil was playing on Monday nights. It was then that Armando Castro introduced Johnny to the band leader, Carlos Navarro.  At the time Versatil was a popular, strong, well liked band and Johnny fitted right in.  Then things started to happen, the band leader Carlos had to fly to Venezuela, also the arranger Niño Jesus Alejandro went to Canada. So, they held a meeting with Armando.  “mete mano Johnny, put a band together and take over.”  For the next 22 years Johnny played Monday night with his Conjunto Amistad at El Floridita.   Johnny’s band was in demand.

Albert Torres was a consultant and MC to over 50 yearly Salsa Congress’ around the world.  Albert had a lot of connections and started to manage Johnny for some 15 years.  With Albert’s connections the band played in Japan, England, Italy, Spain, China, Thailand, Mexico, Costa Rica to name a few.  Everyone was busy with little time to spare, eventually Johnny started handling his own bookings and the relationship with Albert just disappeared.

In business they always say location, location, location! Nothing could be truer than that for “El Floridita.”  You see folks, this little restaurant in a small strip mall, is just across the street from … Pickford Center.  What’s Pickford Center? It’s the film industry Academy of Arts.  You know the “Oscars!”  The clientele boasted of directors, writers, producers, actors like Patrick Swayze, Jay Leno, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Mick Jagger, Edward Olmos to name a few.  They didn’t just go there to eat; it was the film industry’s connection to Salsa and the work just poured in.  Johnny played for Hugh Heffner at the Playboy mansion and also the Playboy Jazz Festival. Prince chose Johnny to be his opening act in Las Vegas.  Johnny did the music for countless films (see bio).
When a victorious general was paraded in Rome, above his head, a slave would hold the laurel reave, while at the same time continuously whispering “this too shall pass.” The idea was to keep him grounded. Johnny didn’t need that.  He was a man who saw the injustice in the world and was always looking out for the little guy, the underdog.  He was a man who shared the wealth.  Many remember how Johnny would call them to give their bands work.  To this day many a story is told about how Johnny helped them out.  He was a man who in his car, would carry cat food and milk to feed the strays.  May God bless you in heaven Johnny.  We remember you as a kind man who loved and cared for the poor.
His accomplishments were so many that we created a link for you to view the photos and also his biography of recognitions and accomplishments.

By: Eduardo Guilarte & Karina Garcia

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