WEPAwebTV Endorses El Gran Combo In Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame

Promoter, Janet Garcia (JGconsultants216@aol.com / 216-509-8844) who brought El Gran Combo to Cleveland State University on September 2, 2011 wrote a letter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in her City, stating why she believes El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico deserves a place in their museum along with others who have been inducted in the past (The Tempatations, Run DMC, and many more) who are not Rock & Roll bands.

In 2012, EGC is celebrating 50 years in music ~ that's quite an accomplishment. I ask those of you who believe that EGC should be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to write directly to the foundation - below is a copy of Janet's letter - copy it or write your own and please mail it directly to them:

2012 Induction request for EL GRAN COMBO to be inducted to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Date:_________________________

Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104

To Whom It May Concern:

I feel that one of the all-time great salsa dance bands, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico should be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

A musical institution on their home island of Puerto Rico, they've been making music for nearly half a century. But don't let those 40+ years fool you into thinking their salsa is in anyway staid or musty. Full of energy, with split-second rhythmic timing and playful lyrics, the 'CEO of Salsa' is at the top of its game.

Founded in 1962 by pianist and musical director Rafael Ithier (who's still with the group), one of their first jobs was working as studio musicians for the live television show La Taverna India.

The original line-up included, along with Ithier, Eddie Perez, Hector Santos, Kito Velez, Martin Quinones, Miguel Cruz and Roberto Roena, who were soon joined by Andy Montanez and Pellin Rodriguez, two of the most famous salsa singers of the time.

First Album's Brush with History :In 1963, El Gran Combo released their first album, Acangana - but not in Puerto Rico, Three days after finishing the recording, John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. The resulting emotional turmoil, born of the close ties between New York and Puerto Rico, revised the plans for the album. It was initially distributed with great success in Mexico, Panama and Venezuela, and only later in New York and Puerto Rico, where it went on to become gold.

Notable Albums: El Gran Combo has recorded over 50 releases. Notable among them is El Gran Combo is Las Vegas (1978), both a success and a sigh of relief as it was recorded after the departure of Andy Montanez, Aqui no Se Sienta Nadie(1992) and Breaking the Ice -- El Gran Combo en Alaska(2000) which earned them a Grammy nomination among many years of accomplishments.

Thank You,

Name: ____________________________________

Category:

Music

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