50 Facts About Frankie Ruiz

Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz, better known as Frankie Ruiz, was a Puerto Rican singer.

Frankie Ruiz was a major figure in the salsa romantica subgenre that was popular in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Frankie Ruiz suffered from years of drug and alcohol abuse.

In 1998, Frankie Ruiz died due to complications from liver disease.

Frankie Ruiz was born in Paterson, New Jersey to Frank Torresola and Hilda Ruiz, a Puerto Rican couple who had moved to the city.

Frankie Ruiz received his primary and secondary school education in Paterson, where his father served as education commissioner.

At the age of 5, Frankie Ruiz played percussion instruments at the Roberto Clemente Park in Trenton and at other city venues.

Frankie Ruiz recorded his first song "Salsa Buena" with this band, which was followed by "Borinquen".

Frankie Ruiz became interested in a salsa band called La Solucion, directed by Roberto Rivera, which he was able to join after multiple attempts.

Frankie Ruiz became an alcoholic and drug user following the death of his mother in a car accident and the murder of his girlfriend, an aspect of his personal life that was emphasized by the media.

Frankie Ruiz continued performing with other bands including La Dictadora and La Moderna Vibracion.

In 1982, Frankie Ruiz joined Tommy Olivencia and his Primerisima Orquesta, replacing Gilberto Santa Rosa as vocalist.

In total, Frankie Ruiz participated in the recording of three albums with Olivencia: Un triangulo de triunfo, Tommy Olivencia and Celebrando otro aniversario.

In 1989, Frankie Ruiz was involved in an altercation with a flight attendant for which he was sentenced to three years at a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida.

Frankie Ruiz was allowed a temporary return to Puerto Rico, where he did some recording with Vinny Urrutia.

In December 1994, Frankie Ruiz released Mirandote, with the eponymous single becoming his first to become the number one song on the Billboard Tropical Songs chart.

In 1996, Frankie Ruiz's liver began to fail leading to a hospitalization and a temporary coma, during which his vocal cords were damaged when an intubation process was undertaken.

Shortly afterwards, his relationship with Judith Frankie Ruiz ended, and he moved from Florida and settled in New Jersey.

In January 1997, Frankie Ruiz's health continued to decline as a result of his lifestyle, leading to the development of cirrhosis and hepatitis, which resulted in three hospitalizations that lasted for months and extended throughout August.

Frankie Ruiz attended the Billboard Latin Music Conference that started on April 28,1997, at the InterContinental Miami, where he received a recognition.

Now possessing a rougher voice, Frankie Ruiz began a tour of clubs that continued in the Bronx.

Frankie Ruiz eventually grew tired of dietary restrictions and protocols and at the insistence of Salvador, became a born again Christian.

Frankie Ruiz remained unaffiliated with any particular church, and avoided congregations, but reflected his new faith in these activities.

Frankie Ruiz began a career in religious music, a decision revealed to the public during the winter when he began wearing a large gold cross and preaching during several appearances.

Aware of the seriousness of his cirrhosis, Frankie Ruiz began making arrangements in his personal life.

Frankie Ruiz began experiencing liver pain shortly after arriving, but pushed through it.

Frankie Ruiz familiarized himself with the arrangements and began recording, beginning with the singles "Vuelvo a Nacer" and "Que Siga la Fiesta".

Frankie Ruiz worked through the pain for weeks, recording and making public appearances despite growing exhausted.

Days later, his condition improved and Frankie Ruiz gave an interview to Paco Navarro of Mega 97.9 to address his health, thank fans for their support, and assert that he had faith, as the station organized a tribute.

Frankie Ruiz was introduced to the audience following a speech, and walked onstage aided by his brother to cheers that lasted for minutes.

Frankie Ruiz was resigned to his situation and took refuge in his faith asking only that Salvador remain with him.

Frankie Ruiz was survived by his children, grandchildren, his two brothers, and his wife.

Frankie Ruiz's death affected Puerto Rican and Latin American fans and expressions of grief and affection were widespread.

Frankie Ruiz's music received a lot of attention and was played in Latin American communities throughout the world.

Frankie Ruiz's body was placed in a golden coffin and a vigil began at Ortiz Funeral Home in the Bronx as he had planned.

Frankie Ruiz's former booking agent, Carrie Sanchez, acknowledged that they had been preparing for this event since he first fell ill.

Frankie Ruiz's coffin was covered by the flag of Puerto Rico, which became an ubiquitous gift brought by the masses visiting the funeral house.

Frankie Ruiz was much bigger than I thought he was.

Frankie Ruiz noted the number of people present at the event, and the emotions and admiration expressed during it.

Frankie Ruiz then comprehended the kind of influence that his father had on the masses and his impact on tropical music.

Frankie Ruiz performed at this event along with: Lalo Rodriguez, Roberto Torres, Jose Alberto "El Canario", Luis Enrique, Servando y Florentino, Hansel, Luisito Carrion, Paquito Guzman, Tommy Olivencia, Adalberto Santiago, Tito Allen, Son Iya, and local artist Caco Senante.

The album cover contains a photo of Rivera and Frankie Ruiz taken by Rivera's father.

In 2004, another tribute album Va Por Ti, Frankie Ruiz was released featuring various artists.

The 1999 Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts was dedicated to Frankie Ruiz, and featured Viti as one of its invited performers.

In 1999, the municipality of Mayaguez dedicated their yearly fiesta patronal to Frankie Ruiz; Viti was featured as guest singer.

Frankie Ruiz's was remembered by an event organized by SalSoul to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

Frankie Ruiz's tracks have been described as reminiscent of a hybrid between popular music and modern salsa, with the percussion being prominently featured.

Frankie Ruiz became known for his improvisational skills, something that he expressed with creativity and expressiveness through his voice, and which were described as capable of turning mediocre lyrics into a hit song.

Frankie Ruiz was not particularly motivated by money or wealth, but rather by a sense that it was his destiny to become a singer.

Frankie Ruiz continued enjoying showmanship, and would dance to the rhythm to provide additional entertainment.