1. Alvaro Jose Arroyo Gonzalez was a Colombian salsa and tropical music singer, composer and songwriter.
17 Facts About Joe Arroyo
1. 2.
Joe Arroyo is considered one of the greatest performers of Caribbean and salsa music in his country and across Latin America.
3.
Joe Arroyo was born and raised in the Narino neighborhood of Cartagena.
4.
Joe Arroyo's father was Guillermo Arroyo, who fathered in total 39 children, with six wives, all named Angela.
5.
At the age of eight Joe Arroyo began singing in brothels in Tesca, a red-light district of Cartagena, which he did for several years.
6.
Joe Arroyo's first credited release as vocalist was in 1970 with Manuel Villanueva Y Su Orquesta on their LP Hasta La Madrugada.
7.
Joe Arroyo sang with El Super Combo Los Diamantes in Sincelejo, and in 1970 performed vocals on their LP Capullito.
8.
Joe Arroyo spent some time singing with La Protesta in Barranquilla.
9.
In 1971 Joe Arroyo was invited to join Fruko y sus Tesos by Julio Ernesto Estrada, the bassist and director of the band.
10.
Joe Arroyo became very successful by mixing salsa, cumbia, porro, soca, compas, zouk and other music from the African Diaspora in a unique style.
11.
Joe Arroyo suffered from health problems throughout his career, which forced him to cancel several performances.
12.
In September 1983 Joe Arroyo was nearly killed by a thyroid problem, and in 2000 a combination of diabetes and pneumonia brought him close to death while touring in Spain.
13.
Joe Arroyo had to go through surgery because of problems with his eyes.
14.
Joe Arroyo denied the involvement of drugs in his September 1983 illness.
15.
Joe Arroyo died in Barranquilla on 26 July 2011, after spending nearly a month in hospital due to multiorgan failure.
16.
Joe Arroyo received two nominations, and in 2011 he was presented with a posthumous career award.
17.
Joe Arroyo has won the prestigious Congo de Oro prize of the Barranquilla Carnival 10 times.