From humble beginnings come great artists

Latin Beat Magazine, Sept, 2004 by Frank M. Figueroa

When he lost the factory job, D'León acquired a used car and earned a living transporting passengers on the Antímano to Caracas route. That proved to be advantageous for his musical career. In one of his trips, he picked up a timbalero named José Rodríguez, who commuted daily to his job in Caracas. The two aspiring musicians became close friends and began talking about organizing a band. They recruited other established musicians and in 1973, formed a group called Dimensión Latina. Oscar D'León was the bass player and vocalist. The group attained much success and made several hit recordings. By 1976, D'León had become dissatisfied with the lack of discipline and professional behavior exhibited by several members of the group, and left to form his own band. In 1977, he organized a group that he ambitiously called "La Salsa Mayor." From that point on, Oscar D'León's career skyrocketed making him an internationally acclaimed star.

To date, D'León has recorded approximately 57 albums and has received awards in Venezuela, Panamá, Puerto Rico, Colombia, México, Spain, Ecuador, Canada and the United States. In an article published by "Descarga," George De Stefano wrote:

   That cavil aside, it's time to give props to Oscar Emilio
   León Simoza, the self-described poor negrito from
   Caracas who by dint of extraordinary talent and
   determination, made himself an international standard
   bearer for classic salsa and his nation's best-known artist.
   And if proclaiming himself "El Rey de los Soneros" seems
   immodest, then who among his contemporaries has
   a stronger claim to the crown?

Ismael Rivera

The lyrics of a popular Spanish flamenco song state: "El día que nací yo, ¿qué planeta reinaría? Por dondequiera que voy, ¡qué mala estrella me guía!" (I wonder what star I was born under? Wherever I go, I'm always led astray by an evil star!) Those very well could have been the words of Ismael Rivera, whose life was full of misfortune as well as success. He was born in abject poverty, became a great entertainer, earned millions of dollars, and died poor in the same humble house where he was born. Even his great talent could not help him break away from the circle of poverty to which his evil star kept him confined.

Luis Rivera Esquilín, a cabinet maker, and Margarita Rivera García, a laundress and housemaid, struggled to raise a family in a slum of Santurce, Puerto Rico, previously known as "El Machuchal." More precisely, they lived on Calle Calma. The small house was home to a family of seven. In addition to the parents, it included their sons (Ismael, Diego and Tommy) and daughters (Laura and Ivelise). Doña Margot, as Ismael's mother was affectionately called, gave an interviewer the following summary of her early struggles, trying to raise her children:

   "Years ago, people married young. I married when
   I was almost 17 years old and soon had my first child
   Carlitos, who died when he was eight months old. I then
   gave birth to Ismael and my five other children followed.
   I stayed married to my children's father for twenty years.
   Eventually, I had to get a divorce because he drank too
   much, and had an obscene mouth. I chose to remain alone
   and raise my children by myself."