Felipe Rodriguez a.k.a. "La Voz" (May 8, 1926 – May 26, 1996) in Caguas, Puerto Rico, was a singer of boleros. Jump to: navigation, search May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1926 was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search May 26 is the 146th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (147th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1996 is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Caguas (founded in 1775) is a municipality located in the eastern central area of Puerto Rico. ... LeAnn Rimes singing in concert For other senses of this word, see singer (disambiguation). ... The music of Puerto Rico has been influenced by African and European (especially Spanish) forms, and has become popular across the Caribbean and in some communities worldwide. ...

Felipe "La Voz" Rodríguez

Felipe's songs are often considered to be classics in Puerto Rico. He was born Luis Felipe Rodriguez and had a rough childhood, his father died before he was born. In 1930, his mother Carmen, moved to Santurce and settled in Barrio Obrero, a tough part of San Juan. Here Felipe went to school and practiced his singing skills during his free time. Julito Rodriguez (no relation to Felipe), another bolero singer, heard Felipe sing and invited him to form a singing duo; they later they formed a trio called "Los Romanteros" (The Romantics) and he took part in his first radio program "Tribuna del Arte". Jump to: navigation, search Image File history File links Felipe_Rodriguez. ... Jump to: navigation, search Image File history File links Felipe_Rodriguez. ... A classic is an item that has become a ubiquitous and unique symbol or icon of a time gone by, mainly because of its inherent quality or its representative status. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1930 is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Jump to: navigation, search San Juan is the capital city of Puerto Rico. ...

In 1950, Felipe left the trio and tried different projects, such as forming other trios, duos and singing solo. He was given the nickmane, "La Voz", a name which was to stay with him for the rest of his life, by the Puerto Rican radio announcer Mariano Artau. Jump to: navigation, search 1950 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

In 1952, he recorded the following songs: Jump to: navigation, search 1952 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

• "La Ultima Copa" (The Last Cup),
• "Golondrina Viajera" ,
• "Los Reyes no Llegaron" (The Wisemen did not Arrive), and
• "Esta Navidad" (This Christmas)

All of which became hits and are now considered as classics in Puerto Rico.

Felipe went on tour in the United States where he broke the previous attendance and ticket records set for the Hispanic audience by Argentine singer Libertad Lamarque. In 1954, Felipe met Pedro Ortiz Davila "Davilita" and formed a very successful duo. Even though "Davilita"'s voice was not as sharp as it was when he was younger, they were able to have many hits together. In the 1960s, they, together with Rafael Cortijo and El Gran Combo confronted the new wave of rock music which was invading the island. Jump to: navigation, search Hispanic, as used in the United States, is one of several terms used to categorize U.S. citizens, permanent residents and illegal aliens whose ancestry hails either from Spain, the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, or the original settlers of the traditionally Spanish-held Southwestern... Libertad Lamarque was a popular Spanish language actress. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1954 was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pedro Ortiz Davila a. ... Jump to: navigation, search The 1960s in its most obvious sense refers to the decade between 1960 and 1969, but the expression has taken on a wider meaning over the past twenty years. ... Rafael Cortijo (January 11, 1928- October 3, 1982), was a Puerto Rican musician, orquestra leader and composer. ... Jump to: navigation, search El Gran Combo is a Puerto Rican Salsa music orchestra. ...

In 1959, Felipe became the first Puerto Rican to sing the Puerto Rican National Hymn at a sporting event, celebrated at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where fellow Puerto Rican Carlos Ortiz won the World Jr. Welterweight boxing title and which was televised coast to coast. Jump to: navigation, search 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG has been the name of four arenas in New York City, United States. ... New York City, officially named the City of New York, is the most populous city in the United States, the most densely populated major city in North America, and is at the center of international finance, politics, entertainment, and culture. ... Carlos Ortiz (born September 9, Puerto Rican who was a three time world boxing champion, twice in the lightweight division and once in the Jr. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Back in Puerto Rico, Felipe landed his own radio program at "RADIO WITA" called "Este Es Tu Disco" (This is your Record). In 1973, Felipe and Davilita recorded "Canciones de Pedro Flores" and in 1974, "Canciones de Rafael Hernandez". Also in 1974, Felipe, Davilita and Pellin Rodriguez (no relation to Felipe) recorded a trilogy which also are considered as "classics" in Puerto Rico. These were "La Protesta de los Reyes" (The Protest of the Wisemen), "Parranda parrandera" and "Navidad" (Christmas). Jump to: navigation, search 1973 was a common year starting on Monday. ... Pedro Flores born (March 9, 1897-July, 1979) in the town of Naguabo, Puerto Rico was one Puerto Ricos best known composers of Ballads and Boleros. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ... Rafael Hernandez (October 24, 1892 – December 11, 1965), who was born in the town of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, was a composer who is considered by many to be the greatest composer of Puerto Rican music. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ... Pellin Rodriguez (December 4, 1926 – October 31, 1984) born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, was a renowned salsa singer. ... Jump to: navigation, search A trilogy is a set of three works of art, usually literature or film, that develop a single theme over three works. ... Jump to: navigation, search Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a holiday in the Christian calendar, usually observed on December 25, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. ...

In the 1980s, Felipe continued to record and had hits with "Por Primera Vez" (1983) (For the First Time) and "Juntos otra Vez" (1986) (Together Again). In 1987, he was able to realize one of his dreams when he performed at the Luis A. Ferre Center of the Beautiful Arts in San Juan. Jump to: navigation, search // Events and trends The 1980s marked an abrupt shift towards more conservative lifestyles after the momentous cultural revolutions which took place in the 1960s and 1970s and the definition of the AIDS virus in 1981. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1983 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1986 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1987 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Don Luis Alberto Ferré Aguayo (February 17, 1904 – October 21, 2003) was an engineer, industrialist, politician, philanthropist, and a patron of the arts. ...

In the 1990s, Felipe continued to be active as a singer and when not singing he would be at the recording studio producing. He suffered a fall in his house which eventually complicated his health and contributed to his death. Jump to: navigation, search // Events and trends The 1990s are generally classified as having moved slightly away from the more conservative 1980s, but otherwise retaining the same mindset. ...

Felipe "La Voz" Rodriguez died on May 26, 1996 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The City of Caguas named the principal hall in its Pavilion of Fame, The Felipe "La Voz" Rodriguez Hall. A book written by music historian Pedro Malavet Vega "La Vellonera esta directa" is about the life of Felipe "La Voz" Rodriguez.

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans