Típica 73

Founded in late 1972 in New York City, New York, Típica 73 was a salsa and charanga band founded by former members of percussionist Ray Barretto’s group. Led by vocalist/guitarist Johnny ‘Dandy’ Rodriguez, Jr. and four musicians who left Barretto’s employment to form Típica 73, the group became one of the most popular salsa bands of the 1970s. During Típica 73’s decade-long existence, the group’s line-up would change with John ‘Dandy’ Rodriguez, Jr. being the only constant member. At various times, the group also featured singer Adalberto Santiago, pianist Sonny Bravo, tres player Nelson González, and others. Típica 73 was the first American salsa group to record in Cuba. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1973, followed the next year by Típica 73, Vol. 2 (1974). Further albums included La Candela (1975), The Two Sides of Típica (1977), the charanga tribute Charangueando con la Típica 73 (1980), and Into the 1980s (1981). Típica 73 split up in 1982 although they did reunite several times in the mid-to-late 1990s. Bongo player Johnny ‘Dandy’ Rodríguez, who had also performed with Tito Puente and others, died on August 17, 2024.