Ismael Quintana, Puerto Rican singer and composer, Died at 78

  Actor, Writers

Ismael Quintana was born on June 3, 1937, and died on April 16, 2016.

He was a singer and composer of salsa music.

The bandleader Eddie Palmieri heard Quintana sing for an audition and invited him to join his newly organized conjunto (small band) “La Perfecta”, in 1961.

He had accepted and became the lead singer of the band between 1961 and 1971.

During this time, he co-wrote some of Palmieri’s major hit songs.

With Palmieri, Quintana was awarded the 1966 Trophy for the “Most Popular Latin Singer of the Year”, awarded at the famed Palladium Ballroom in New York.

He left Palmieri for a solo career and signed with Vaya Records (subsidiary of Fania Records).

He recorded five albums as a solo artist, between 1974 and 1983, scoring his first major hit with “Mi Debilidad” (My Weakness).

Ismael Quintana passed away at 78 yrs old.