could tell you about this man's life and tell his entire biography on this page. But I want to do this tribute in my own way. I want this to be different. It's the only way I can fully explain the impact he has had on me and on many many others and to the Puerto Rican community. So I will tell you the little bit I know of him and why I am making this tribute for him. So here goes.
elieve it or not I first heard of Tito Puente on "The Cosby Show". I remember seeing him make a guest appearance on the show. It was then that I had loved his music and saw his energetic smile. I was just a kid. My mom had told me that he was Puerto Rican and I felt very proud. And even listening to his music as part of the cosby theme made me want to dance. Although watching Bill Cosby do his little dance to his music made me laugh, still it was worth getting up from your seat for. Even if it was for a few seconds and only once the beat always remained with you.
ow I have never had the privelege to meet this charismatic smiling musician. I have not yet been to his resturante either. But I have always seen him perform such great music and he does it with the most wonderful smile on his face. It was alays pleasing to see him. And when he was in the Puerto Rican Day Parade, playing his music, he always made people on the streets dance and cheer for him. It was as if he was the essence of the parade. And he really was the essence of the way latin music became so widely known, popular and demanding as well. And even if he only appeared as Ernest and not as "Tito" or "The King" still, he was our friend.
adly, the only time I saw him up close and personal and not as a distant audience was at his wake. The 77 year-old tiny man who was talented in every way possible was gone. Our hero and our icon was physically gone. And all I have was a little prayer card with his name on it. At first I didn't know what to think. But somewhere in the middle of making this tribute as I looked at this card, I realized that there was a piece of him in my home. Anyone and everyone who has been there on June 4th and June 5th must now feel it too. He is still with us. I look at the little card and I now see that we all got to take home a part of "El Rey". And his family let us take him home too. So now I end this tribute with many blessings and thanks to the family of Tito Puente. And to Tito Puente, thank you for giving us over 50 years of entertainment and bringing our latin culture and music into the homes of the world. You will truly be missed but we will remember you always. Adios El Rey.~FIREBIRD