Ruben Blades

Written and compiled by Alison Weinstock

Singer, actor and political figure, Blades was born on 16 July 1948, in Panama City, Panama.

From an early age, Blades was exposed to music through both of his parents. His mother, Anoland Bellido de Luna, who was born in Cuba, sang and played the piano. His father Rubén Blades Sr. was born in Colombia, played percussion.

His grandmother also had a great influence on him.

"My abuela Emma who was with me at all times, instilled me with a sense of justice, that we can all serve as part of the solution. That is the perspective from which I developed and the foundation to help me move forward."

During his adolescence, his family was relatively poor. At that time there was also political turmoil in the country, particularly with the issue of the Panama Canal and relations with the United States. He had grown up on U.S. culture and rock & roll. But in 1964, 21 civilians were killed and hundreds wounded in student riots, by U.S. soldiers, when students tried to fly the flag of Panama next to that of the U.S. at Balboa High School. This event was traumatic for the nation, and deeply influenced Blades.

"They turned friends into enemies. Even today, that's the pity of U.S. policy in Latin America."

It opened his eyes and, like many in Panama who had previously been pro American, he started to ask political and social questions. After this "political awakening," he continued his studies and eventually entered the law school at the University of Panama.

Immediately after graduating, he joined his family in Miami and then again to New York, to further develop his music. He took the only job available at Fania Records in New York, as a mailboy.

 

Other performers such as Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, and Ismael Miranda had recorded his compositions, but his real break came when Ray Barretto was looking for someone to replace the vocalist in his band. Barretto was told that Blades could be his man, and he set up an audition for him. The result was that Blades gave up his job at Fania to immediately join Barretto's group. He shared lead vocals with Tito Gomez on the album "Barretto" (1975.) He also provided backup and guest vocals for other Fania recordings, and the Fania All-Stars.

Special article: The Collaboration of Willie Colón/Rubén Blades at Fania Records

In 1976, Ruben Blades became the replacement vocalist for Héctor Lavoe, who had left Willie Colón's band. Colón and Blades would later start what eventually would represent an important shift in salsa music.

On his first album with Colón, Metiendo Mano (1977), two of Blades' songs, "Plantación Adentro" and "Pablo Pueblo", stood out and had a tremendous impact on salsa fans as well as musicians, for his vision on social issues.

The following record, Siembra (1978), expands on the musical and social vision of the former. The repercussions of the song "Pedro Navaja" topped all records for salsa songs. The record sold more than a million copies and hit first place on the charts of most Spanish speaking countries (gold and platinum) as well as the United States. The smash hit song "Pedro Navaja" made people realize the enormous influence salsa could have as a vehicle for social commentary. The public's reaction was instantaneous and overwhelmingly positive.

"All of a sudden you had a record that was confronting issues and that was unheard of at the time."

This ground-breaking album was followed by another, the two part Maestra Vida (1980), a musical drama using characters to explore social issues in a very personal way.

In 1982, Blades discovered his talents as an actor in the cinema. Fania owner Jerry Massucci offered him a role in a low budget movie he was producing entitled "The Last Fight," directed by Fred Williamson. Although the film had no impact, it elicited Blades' interest in the film medium and sparked a successful career as an actor.