The Battle for Top Billing

Latin Beat Magazine, March, 2001 by Max Salazar

IZZY SANABRIA (artist who designed record albums, dance posters and ads for the last thirteen years). "You have no idea of the time I wasted or the money Ralphy Mercado lost because we had to do over posters and throw away circulars. A few times I had to do a poster over three times because the egos involved couldn't be pleased."

WILLIE COLON (young trombonist-bandleader who won a Latin New York award for directing the most popular conjunto in 1972). "It is not too important to me. I get the money I want. The bands on the scene all sound different and I believe we get paid for the sound we produce for the people we please. Rotating the billing will not work because there will be arguments over petty nonsense. Once I get the money I want I leave the billing up to the promoter. How can I tell him how to run his dance when he's laying out the bread. Top Billing is a fantasy. It has no meaning. Face to face I've been complimented and heard sermons about brotherhood and how they dig me and its all bullshit because I've heard about the things said about me when my back has been turned. I'm sorry, Max, I have no solution to offer. Perhaps the public can suggest one."

MACHITO (vocalist and co-leader of one of the greatest orchestras in New York City's 1973 Latin music scene). "It's necessary but I don't need it. My band proves itself when it's on a bandstand. I just want to play. I want to be involved. I've survived thirty-five years without top billing. I've performed where no other bandleaders have appeared yet. Do you remember the Knights of Columbus Lodge in Farmingdale, Long Island, when you and Hilda (his wife) went to hear my orchestra play for the Sons of Italy? My orchestra has played at Italian and Jewish resorts. It plays at Latin and black dances. It even played the United Nation's dance last August. Mario and I get top dollar and we don't have to argue with anyone for top billing. The sun rises for everyone, and everyone is entitled to feel the sun's rays."

Mr. 2X (He did not wish to be identified in any way. He is well known throughout New York City's Latin music scene). "Whoever tells you it's not important is only fooling himself or maybe he doesn't know its true value. Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley and the Beatles were all top line artists and the top line earned them a lot of money. When they were in demand, they didn't allow anyone to underprice them by any form of trickery. It's easy for a young bandleader to lay claim to the top line by saying Puente hasn't had a hit record in years. What about Oye Como Va, Para Los Rumberos, Niñas y Señoras, and the tracks from the new album Mambo Diablo, (110th Street and 5th Avenue and Preparate Para Bañarte)? In all of Tito's recordings, down through the years, whatever was not a hit in New York was a hit in Venezuela, Colombia, Perú, or Los Angeles and the people in New York never knew it. You know Tito played those crazy rhythms called cumbias, porros, onda nueva, bossa nova and the folk music of Puerto Rico.