TONY CROATTO Saludo a Borinquen (Original).wmv

Hermes Davide Fastino Croatto Martinis, better known as Tony Croatto (March 2, 1940, some sources state his year of birth as 1939 -- April 3, 2005) was an Italian singer and composer best known for his interpretations of Puerto Rican folk music. He was also a television presenter. Born in Attimis, a comune in the province of Udine, Italy. Croatto's family moved to the border town of La Paz (Uruguay) in the Canelones department of Uruguay when he was 9 years old. While being raised as a carpenter, lumberjack and farmer, music was very much a part of his household. In 1959, at 19, he created his first pop music group with his brother Edelweiss (nicknamed "Tim") and his sister Argentina (nicknamed "Nelly") which was named "TNT". The group came about at Nelly's insistence; since their mother frowned upon the idea of Nelly (who was 15 years old at the time and adamantly wanted to become a singer) touring solo, she would only allow her to sing in public with her brothers as a backup group. The group eventually developed a very strong following, first in Argentina, then in Spain, where TNT moved as their popularity soared. The music pairing of Nelly and Tony then became a duo. In 1968, after travelling across South America and spending two years in Venezuela (his then-wife Raquel Montero was an Argentine-born novela actress, whose good looks and dramatic talent were popular in the country; their mutual children Mara and Alejandro Croatto were born there). Tony moved to what would eventually become his adoptive homeland, Puerto Rico, when "Nelly y Tony" were hired by Puerto Rican promoter Alfred D. Herger to his popular youth television shows. "Nelly y Tony" would perform together until 1974, when Nelly married a Puerto Rican surgeon. She retired from pop music and eventually moved to the United States. While performing with his sister Nelly in New York's Teatro Puerto Rico in 1973, Tony was introduced to New York bred but Puerto Rico born vocalist Roberto Tirado who suggested that he compose a hit song for his idol Lucecita Benítez who was going through hard times in her career. Tony obliged and with poet David Ortiz wrote her number one career refreshing hit, "Soy De Una Raza Pura." That would be the only song that Lucecita Benítez would claim as her opening song for many years later on.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• TONY
• CROATTO
• Saludo A Borinquen
• jibaro
• Puerto Rico
• tipica
• Italian singer
• Boricua
• Original

[Scolon620]

I met Tony in Ponce and had the pleasure of enjoying a wonderful Concert of many of his great songs. He was a genius who did more to preserve and promote Puerto Rican Folk music than any other artist. I truly his miss him especially as we start the Holidays, but I keep him alive as I play it throughout the year.

[VioletaRolon]

Que tema tan hermoso! Gracias Tony por amar y atesorar a mi bella Isla tanto. Para mi eres un Boricua que por error nació en Italia...jk Te amamos y te recordaremos siempre! ♥ ;)

[tonytube27]

I did not know he passed, God Bless him and may his music be taught to all our children!!

[tommyburgos]

Jamas te olvidaremos, Tony. Dios tiene que estar gozando con todos los jolgorios que tu tienes que estar formando en el cielo.

[rmandry]

Gracias por la musica que dejaste a nosotros los puertoriquenos y a tu patria. Que Dios te tenga en la gloria.

[MamaColon1]

!Precioso homenaje a Puerto Rico!¡ Que Dios te tenga en la gloria,Tony Croato!

[odragde16]

lindo video !!!