The Fania All-Stars is a musical group formed in 1968 as a showcase for the musicians on Fania Records, the leading salsa music record label of the time.[1]
Throughout the early years, Fania used to distribute its records around New York. Eventually success from Pacheco's Cañonazo recording would lead the label to develop its roster. Masucci and Pacheco, now executive negotiator and musical director respectively, began acquiring musicians such as Bobby Valentín, Larry Harlow, and Ray Barretto.
Success
In 1968, Fania Records created a continuously revolving line-up of entertainers known as the Fania All-Stars. They were considered some of the best Latin Music performers in the world at that time. The original lineup consisted of:
They recorded Live At The Red Garter, Volumes 1 and 2 with this original lineup. On August 26, 1971 they recorded Fania All-Stars: Live At The Cheetah, Volumes 1 and 2.[4] It exhibited the entire All-Star family performing before a capacity audience in New York City's Cheetah Lounge.
In 1974, the All Stars performed in Zaire, Africa, at the 80,000-seat Stade du 20 mai in Kinshasa. This was captured on film and released as Live in Africa (Salsa Madness in the UK). This Zairean appearance occurred along with James Brown and others at a music festival held in conjunction with the Muhammad Ali/George Foreman heavyweight title fight.[2] Footage of the performance was included in the 2008 documentary Soul Power.[7]
To attain a wider market for salsa music, Fania made a deal with Columbia Records in the US for a series of crossover albums by the All-Stars, beginning with Delicate & Jumpy (1976), in which Steve Winwood united with the All-Stars' Pacheco, Valentin, Barreto, and Roena. During the same year, the Fania All-Stars made their sole UK appearance, at London'sLyceum Ballroom, with Winwood appearing as guest.[8]
In 2009, a historical documentary, Latin Music USA, shown on PBS TV, featured an episode on the Fania All-Stars, their evolution, career, and later demise.[10] In 2009 as well, the All-Stars returned to the stage, opening Carlos Santana's world tour in Bogotá, Colombia. The presentation caused mixed feelings inside the salsa circle though, mainly because they were treated as seconds by the concert's organizers.
In March 2011, and subsequently in November 2012, a limited roster of the All-Stars performed in Lima, Peru.[11][12] One thing to note about the 2012 performance is the return of Ruben Blades. Ismael Quintana was not present in the November 2012 performance though, as well as Yomo Toro (Yomo died on June 30, 2012). In October 2013, a new, complete roster of the All-Stars performed in San Juan Puerto Rico, celebrating the 40th anniversary of their first performance in San Juan. This roster included the return of Orestes Vilato and Luigi Texidor, as well as the participation of Andy Montañez, Cita Rodriguez (Pete's daughter) and Willie Colón. This was Cheo Feliciano's last performance with the All-Stars before dying in a car accident in April 2014 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.[13] In 2015 the Fania All-Stars were chosen to receive ASCAP's honorary Latin Heritage Award.[14] The All-Stars were set to perform in Central Park, New York City on August 24 as part of the closing of the 50th anniversary celebration of the legendary Fania Records label.
In 2019, many of the classic Fania records were re-issued in vinyl as part of the renewed interest in the vinyl record format.[15]
^César Miguel Rondón The Book of Salsa: A Chronicle of Urban Music from the Caribbean 2008 - Page 42 "In this way, the Fania All Stars were formed as a fusion of the best bandleaders and singers from seven orchestras, complemented by some individual veteran musicians from the New York scene."
^Negron. (2015a). Fania Records Nuyorican and Its New York Imaginary: Representing Salsa as Commodity and Cultural Sign in Our Latin Thing. Journal of Popular Music Studies, 27(3), 274–303.
^Billboard - 17 March 1979 "The Fania All Stars were led by Johnny Pacheco and their efforts will probably produce an LP which will be released on Fania. according 10 Lundvall The intention is to intersperse as much Cuban music as possible Thus Irakere, "