Frankie Ruiz
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Frankie Ruiz (March 10, 1958 - August 9, 1998 born in Paterson, New Jersey) was a well known Puerto Rican salsa singer.
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[edit] Early years
Born Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, he was born and raised in 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 (Good Salsa). In 1976, Ruiz moved to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico with his mother after his parents divorced.
[edit] 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.
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 Lo Dudo (I doubt it) which was previously covered by José José. In 1983, Ruiz decided to go "solo" and had hits with No Que No, Mi Libertad (My Liberty) and Desnudate Mujer (Get Undressed Woman). He traveled extensively throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States performing and always used the phrase "Vaya, mi China" (Go, Baby) as his trademark.
[edit] Recordings
Amongst the songs recorded by Ruiz are the following:
- Salsa Buena (Good Salsa)
- Lo Dudo (I doubt it)
- La Cura {The Cure)
- Cómo Le Gustan a Usted (Like you all like it)
- Imposible Amor (Impossible Love)
- Tú con El (You with Him)
- Voy Pa' Encima (I'm going for it)
- Sólo por Tí (Only for you)
- Por Eso (Because)
- Y No Puedo (And I can't)
- No Que No (No, no)
- Tu Me Vuelves Loco (You drive me crazy)
- Mi Libertad (My Liberty)
- Desnúdate Mujer (Undress Woman)
- Bailando (Dancing)
- La Rueda (The Wheel)
- Y Como Lo Hacen (And How Do You Do It)
- Caricias Prohibidas (Prohibited Caresses)
- Vuelvo a Nacer (Born Again)
- Cara Dura (Hard Face)
- Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico)
- Una Canita Al Aire (A White Hair to the Air)
- Que siga la fiesta (Lets continue the party)
- La fiesta no es para feos (The party is not for the ugly)
- Mirandote (Looking at you)
- Esta Cobardia (This cowardy)
- De sentimiento me muero (Im dying of feeling)
- Para darte fuego (I want to burn you)
- Mujer (Woman)
- La rueda vuelve a rodar (The wheel is rolling again)
- Chiquito Corazoncito (Little Heart)
- Mujeres como tu (Women like you)
- Otra Vez (Again)
- Quien es tu amigo (Who's your friend)
- Pancuco (Pancuco)
- Deseándote (Wanting You)
- Ironia (Irony)
[edit] Later years
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 serve a three year jail term for the assault at the federal penitentiary in Jacksonville, Texas.
Frankie Ruiz became ill and was hospitalized on July 11, 1998, after performing at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Shortly afterwards, on August 9, 1998, Ruiz died from complications from AIDS .[1] [2] [3]
Before his burial his body was taken to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, for a memorial service. His body is interred at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Bergen County, New Jersey. Back in Mayaguez the local municipality renamed an open auditorium next to the "Palacio Municipal de Recreación y Deportes" (the local sports arena) in Ruiz's honor.
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 (I sing to my Idol...Frankie Ruiz) 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 a picture of.
