Frankie Ruiz

Frankie Ruiz was one of the key figures in salsa's resurgence during the 1970s and one of the first performers in the 'Salsa Sensual' style.

Born in Paterson, New Jersey in the late 1950s, and initially raised by his grandmother, Ruiz was singing from an early age. He was still a child when he made his recording debut, appearing on 'Salsa Buena' and then 'Borinquen' with The Charlie López Orquesta.

When Ruiz moved with his mother to Puerto Rico in 1965 Ruiz discovered and fell for the music of salsa band La Solucion, swiftly learning their entire repertoire and attending as many of their shows as he could. His mother tried, in vain, to get director Roberto Rivera to audition him for the group, but it was only when their lead singer was taken ill and failed to show up for a performance that Ruiz got his shot. He impressed the band and joined as a full-time member, staying with them for three years before joining Tommy Olivencia's orchestra and having a hit with 'La Duda'.

Ruiz began his solo career in the mid-'80s and his full-length debut, 'Solista pero no Solo' (1985), reached the top of the Billboard Tropical Album chart. He had further success with 'Voy Pa' Encima', 'En vivo... y a todo color', 'Historia Musical de Frankie Ruiz' and 'Más Grande Que Nunca', but was increasingly dogged by problems with drug and alcohol addiction.

On August 9th, 1998 Ruiz died due to complications resulting from liver failure.