by Felix Contreras
Johnny Pacheco, one of the founders of the iconic Latin music label Fania Records, died Monday, Feb. 15, at age 85.
Pacheco had been hospitalized in New Jersey for undisclosed reasons, according to Alex Masucci, the brother of Fania cofounder Jerry Masucci. No cause of death was provided.
Fania Records revolutionized the sound of Cuban dance music in the 1970s. During that time, Pacheco was a prolific songwriter and musical arranger whose work helped fuel the careers of Celia Cruz and Ruben Blades. As a producer, his vast musical knowledge of various Latin musical genres helped ignite the rise of the Latin dance genre known as salsa and he became its biggest cheerleader.
The label’s influence extended for several generations, well into the 21st century. DJs and producers have used tracks from the golden age of salsa to create remixed club hits around the world.
Pacheco was born in the Dominican Republic to a musical family in 1935. His father was a band leader that played popular dance music including the Cuban danzón, which would have an influence on the younger Pacheco’s musical career.
In 1963 he partnered with attorney Jerry Masucci to form Fania Records and under Pacheco’s guidance as talent scout, composer, ushered in the international popularity of salsa, a term that encompasses a variety of mostly Cuban dance styles.
