17 Facts About Ismael Rivera

Ismael Rivera was the first of five children born to Luis and Margarita Rivera.

Ismael Rivera's father, Luis, was a carpenter and his mother a housewife.

Ismael Rivera received his primary education at the Pedro G Goyco Elementary School and then went on to learn carpentry at a vocational school.

Ismael Rivera shined shoes to help his family financially and, when he was 16 years old, he worked as a carpenter.

Ismael Rivera was unable to work full-time as a musician because of his work as a carpenter.

In 1952, Ismael Rivera joined the US Army but was quickly discharged, because he did not speak English.

Ismael Rivera had relationships with other women like Gladis Serrano, who was the wife of Daniel Santos.

Ismael Rivera traveled with Cortijo's Combo, which included Rafael Ithier and Roberto Roena, to Europe, Central and South America.

Ismael Rivera was arrested for drug possession after a trip to Panama with the Cortijo combo.

Ismael Rivera scored his greatest hit with "Las caras lindas " written by Tite Curet Alonso.

On May 14,1974, Ismael Rivera participated in a concert at the Carnegie Hall which was recorded live.

Ismael Rivera sang a song from Bobby Capo called "Dormir contigo".

Ismael Rivera was a faithful pilgrim of the Black Christ procession in Portobelo, Panama, from 1975 to 1985, and even wrote a song about the Black Christ, known affectionately as "El Nazareno".

Ismael Rivera was actively involved in the creation of a historical museum, which depicts the contributions made to the cultural life of Puerto Rico by black Puerto Ricans.

Ismael Rivera died on May 13,1987, in the arms of his mother Margarita, from a heart attack.

Ismael Rivera is buried in the San Jose Cemetery in Villa Palmeras in Santurce.

Ismael Rivera was posthumously inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2000.