Juan Manuel Lebron

Born in Puerto Rico on April 22, 1947, salsa artist Juan Manuel Lebron started singing during his teenage years with the Sexteto Rítmico group. Soon after, he began his recording career as the lead singer of the popular salsa ensemble Orquesta Sensacional, recording a full-length before devoting himself to acting. In 1976, he gained widespread fame and acclaim for his performance in the iconic comedy show En Casa de JuanMa y Wiwi, which lasted for almost fourteen years and earned him several awards. In 1981, Juan Manuel Lebron resumed his musical endeavors with the chart-topping single "Amores Sin Sentido," included in his studio debut Salsa Con Sentido, released later that year. More success followed in 1985 when he represented Puerto Rico at the OTI Festival singing competition with a passionate performance of "Represento" that elicited praise from legendary flamenco singer Lola Flores. Following the end of En Casa de JuanMa y Wiwi in 1990, Juan Manuel Lebron reached the top of Billboard's Tropical Albums chart with his next full-length, El Primero. The album yielded the hit single "Ella y Tú" and earned him a nomination for Salsa Singer of the Year at the Lo Nuestro Awards. Even though his musical output waned during the subsequent decades, he remained one of Puerto Rico's most beloved personalities through shows like Los Seijo-Dones and Anda Pa'l Cara.