Celia Cruz was born on October 23, 1925 in a poor city located in Havana, Cuba. Around the 1940's Celia had won a singing contest which led to her passion. While her mother praised her, her father on the other hand wanted her to go to college and become a teacher.
Celia had gotten into music due to the neighborhood she lived where Cuban music was played often. Celia had attended a National Teacher College, yet dropped out once her live music was getting noticed. Then enrolled into Havana's National Conservatory of Music. While struggling to keep up with her academics a teacher encouraged her pursue a life-time music career.
As Celia's career continued so did some of her health problems. As she grew older her body was not as string and healthy as she was when she was younger. Though Cruz being the strong woman she is, she would be in surgery after surgery, yet it never stopped her from doing what she loved. She'd never stop singing and always go back to the recording room.
The Cuban Queen's style of music was actually Salsa. Salsa music is a lively, type of contemporary Latin American popular music, blending predominantly Cuban rhythms with elements of jazz, rock, and soul music.
One of Celia's most important albums was "Regalo del Alma", meaning "Gift from the Soul". This was Celia Crew's last album, which was released on July 29, 2003, after her death on July 13, 2003. This album just proves how much she cared for her art even after her death caused by cancer.
Celia and Johnny, Celia Cruz & friends, Siempre Vivire, and Azucar Negra some of the most popular albums by Celia Cruz.
Celia’s Top Five Songs were: (1) Carnaval, (2) Yo viviré, (3) Quimbara, (4) Rie, llora, (5) Burundanga
Cruz has recieved over 40 rewards and honors, some being over 4 grammys, billboard ward, and the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD BOOK “Longest Working Career as Salsa Artist”.
Credits:
Created with images by Phillip Pessar - "Celia Cruz Mural Las Palmas Restaurant"