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Salsa Heavyweight Willie Colon Endorses Hillary

By Taters on April 16, 2008 at 4:56 PM in Hillary Clinton

 Trombonist, bandleader, singer, arranger, composer, artist, actor, political activist, innovator, cultural icon, environmentalist, musical ambassador and producer are a few of the words used to describe the many hats the dapper master salsa musician – Willie Colon – has worn and continues to wear.  And since the passing of legendary latin jazz/salsa bandleader/pioneer - Tito Puente,  many now consider Colon the primary keeper of the flame.

Willie Colon believes Sen. Hillary Clinton is best qualified for the White House. The legendary Bronx-born Puerto Rican and American cultural icon stated, “Hillary has been on the side of our families for over 35 years – she has been with us from the very beginning. I want a President who I can count on, someone who in tough times will be there for me – that’s why I’m supporting Hillary Clinton.”

I couldn’t agree with you more, Mr. Colon. 

Although with Etta, we never had the privilege of touring with Willie Colon, we’ve played many of the same music festivals here and abroad. (We did tour with the late great Tito Puente (another salsa icon) and his band - all excellent musicians and a great group of people. (But that’s for another time.)

Note: Please pardon the brevity, we’re on the road in NYC and wrapping up our third night at BB King’s. So if I don’t get back to you on your comments right away, it’s only because I’m working.

This is an important endorsement by Willie Colon, I anticipate that his opinion will carry great weight in the upcoming primary in Puerto Rico. He’s been a real champion of the people for so many years and continues to fight the good fight. The Clinton campaign is rightfully proud to have Mr. Colon’s thumbs’ up. Congratulations. I leave you with this.

  • JoeySky

    This is the kind of endorsement that will have impact on voters, not the kind of endorsement from the governor who had problem with corruption charge.

  • http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

    Thanks so much for posting this, Taters, even though you’re on the road. Hope you’re having a great tour! Let us know.

  • Fleaflicker

    Great endorsement. Love the music too. Good luck, be safe and have LOTS of fun.

    • Taters

      Hey fleaficker – keep up the great work!!

      Patrick Henry,
      Thanks for the kind words, my friend.

  • Patrick Henry

    Great Taters..!!

    Theres a Man who knows about “SOUL”..and Hillarys got it..You too Taters.. take care of them “Goldfingers” and that grewat guitar brother..

  • Taters

    Amen JoeySky!

    Hi Susan,
    Beyonce’ is playing Etta in an upcoming movie, there’s been a buzz about that. Emmylou Harris (Whom I adore)came to the gig in Nashville. We’re doing fine despite a bout of pneumonia that Etta had, she’s alright now, though. This hotel wi fi is SO SLOW, lol! Best as always, keep up the great work. Go Hllary!Kind Regards,
    Bobby

  • David Lewis

    OK, Larry, Susan and all the folks at NQ:

    You’ve done a great job of attacking Obama and — looking on the bright side — toughening him up for the run against McCain. But he made his big blunder, Clinton pounced on it ferociously, and the needle didn’t budge, at least according to the first post-blunder polls coming out now. In fact, Obama stretched his nationwide lead and performs much better against McCain than Clinton.

    So, that’s it.

    Now I’d like to see ~your~ plan to “withdraw the troops” and get behind the presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack Obama. Or do you plan to pull a Nader — keep attacking and try to bring down the temple on everyone, including yourselves? I sure hope not!

    –David.

    • Amanda

      David, since you take polls to heart, which lead Obama vs McCain are u talking about? The one in Florida?

      And if Obama is the presumptive nominee (to presume or not to presume, that’s the question) why are you worried about the stuff written in NQ?

      PS: A temple without foundations will crumble all by itself, no need to bring down.

      • simon, too

        Dave,

        We get how polls are rigged.

        Try someplace else…

        HTH

        • simon, too

          Btw “Dave,” this is the weakest internet counterattack I’ve seen yet.

          If I thought Obama had little power before, I see today he and his “generals” have even less.

          You’re f’ing clueless, but a nice lateral move within that tiny circle you can’t seem to break.

          IMO, Hillary losing in the polls was supposed to be the talking point, today, for Obama’s “troops” to attack Clitnon supporters.

          (snicker)

          Bunch of clueless kids, and you guys are old, aren’t you?

          • simon, too

            Oh, yeah, it was Tupac, today, right?

            “Tupac,” the smart rapper.

    • Hope

      David,

      Well, uh geez Dave! Wot are ya talkin bout? HUH? Whooze Nader? HUH? I aint shure eyes understud ya? Weez cretins dunt reed two good ya know cuz we ain’t edyacaated like yuuz Obamakins.

      Go Hickery!

  • scott

    Anyone want all my Springsteen vinyl? I’m no longer a fan.

    • Catriley

      You know… once I learned that Elvis Costello played Hillary’s birthday party and sang “Happy Birthday Mrs. President”, I realized that it wouldn’t matter a bit to me what other performers endorsed her. Bruce was all about John Kerry last time — he has an odd sense of what his working class fans would support.

      Hmmm… that vinyl question. Put it out with the recycling. ;)

    • lifelong dem leaving party

      no thanks, but looking forward to his sales tanking and his appearances being cancelled for lack of interest.

  • raymo

    Good for Mr. Colon.

    I have a framed copy of the cover of Bruce’s Born to Run on the wall of my den. I should say I had a copy on my wall. I took it down today. Actually, I felt like breaking it over my knee and throwing it in the trash, I am so angry.

    If Bruce really cared about everyday people he would know about Obama’s remarks about unions, about Obama’s inferior health care plan, about Obama’s admiration for Ronald Reagan, about Obama’s desire to “look at” privatizing Social Security.

    Bruce can go F*** himself. He’s a rich man now, and it shows.

    • Amanda

      … Or you can sell it on Ebay, and send the money to Hillary :D .

      Didn’t Bruce campaign for Kerry? What good did that do?

      • simon, too

        I would say Bruce is uninformed.

        Very sad.

  • http://thehorizontalworld.blogspot.com/ Mary Jo Kopechne

    To Bruce Springsteen and David Lewis
    This is your brain on Kool Aid.

    I will NEVER EVER EVER VOTE FOR OBAMA. NEVER EVER NEVER EVER.
    And I’m one of thousands. In fact, I will do everything I can to help him lose.

  • scott

    OT
    It appears that our friend Barry had 4.2 million reasons why he might be an elitist last year.

    Why can’t he invite his grandmother living in a hut out in the bush to live in his guest house?

  • EricaLeigh

    Obama is not the “presumptive nominee.” This is a race and it’s not over. In fact, it’s neck and neck. No-one asks a racer to stop running if they’re a nose behind at the half-way point, or even in the home stretch.

    Well, unless the people asking are pro-Obama pundits, DNC officials who can’t fix the huge problem they created by arbitrarily disenfranchising Florida and Michigan, or party players who are too afraid to let Clinton (and American voters) have a real contest.

    Let’s let our Democracy work, it’s what many of us want and believe should happen. Hillary Clinton “gets” that fine point. Just like she “gets” the people of this nation and what it means to fight hard with integrity for the country and the values you hold dear.

    Mr. Obama doesn’t have 2025. He has not crossed any finish line. So please, don’t presume a thing until the race is run.

  • Jane

    WILLIE COLON AT A GLANCE

    Career: Signed to Fania label, 1967; released debut album El malo, 1968; released 15 albums as bandleader with lead vocalist Hector Lavoe, 1968-74; first gold record, Cosa nuestra, 1970; teamed with lead vocalist Rubén Blades; released bestselling album Siembra, 1978; released several solo albums, including Fantasmas, 1981; extensive production and arranging work, 1970s and 1980s; became community activist and entered politics, early 1990s; became member, President’s Commission on the Arts and Humanities, 1993; ran for U.S. Congress, 1994; became spokesperson for CARE relief organization, 1997; ran for Public Advocate, City of New York, 2001.

    Selected memberships: American Society of Composers, Authors & Performers (ASCAP); became first minority member, ASCAP National Board of Trustees, 1995; ASCAP Foundation.

    Selected awards: Chubb Fellowship, Yale University, 1991; nominated one of 100 most influential Hispanics in United States by Hispanic Business magazine, 1996; EPA Environmental Quality Award, 2001; 100 Most Influential Latinos Worldwide by People en Espanol,2006.

    • Taters

      Cool post, Jane.

  • Arco Iris

    Thank you, thank you, Willie Colon, and the millions upon millions of people who are supporting Hillary in Puerto Rico

    We’ll dance to your music during Hillary’s
    inaguration at The White House.

    Ella si que puede.
    Ha podido, y
    Podra

    Puerto Ricans for Hillary

    • Taters

      And a hearty thank you for your response and post, Arco Iris.

    • Lilly

      Boricua in the house..born there but now in Chicago
      Thank you Willie Colon. Puerto Rico vote for Hillary. Even if Obama becomes the nominee I will not vote for him. Obama thinks puerto ricans are stupid enough to vote for him. He deals with too many unsavory characters “oh, but wait no one is suppose to question the messiah.”

      Can anyone please tell me if puerto rico wants to become a state? If not why?

      Thank you in advance.

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