Marvin Santiago was a Puerto Rican salsa singer who became famous all across Latin America during the 1970s.
39 Facts About Marvin Santiago
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Marvin Santiago was a part-time comedian on Puerto Rican television.
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Marvin Santiago was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age.
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Marvin Santiago was hired to sing with Cortijo's group and in three weeks time learned the bands repertoire and started touring with them throughout Dominican Republic, New York City and Chicago.
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Two of the tracks recorded where Marvin Santiago provided lead vocals, "Vasos En Colores" and "La Campana Del Lechon", were later recorded by Marvin Santiago as a solo artist.
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Marvin Santiago provided background vocals on other tracks from the album.
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In 1969 Marvin Santiago left Chicago and returned to Puerto Rico where he joined Johnny "El Bravo" Lopez's group and toured with them briefly.
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On one engagement with Lopez in Coamo, Puerto Rico, Marvin Santiago met Roberto Anglero and offered his services as a backup singer if he ever needed one.
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Marvin Santiago joined Anglero's group and in 1970 recorded an album with them.
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Marvin Santiago would become an impromptu member of the group, and later a member in his own right.
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Marvin Santiago's first recording with Valentin's group was the album "Rompecabezas", released in 1971.
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Marvin Santiago's second recording with Valentin's group was the album "Soy Boricua", released in 1972.
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Marvin Santiago was part of the band when Valentin played a concert at the Rio Piedras State Penitentiary.
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On Valentin's 1976 album, "Afuera", Marvin Santiago had a few hits.
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Late in 1976, Marvin Santiago provided background vocals and was the lead singer for the track "Los Tambores" on Puerto Rico All Stars self-titled first album.
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In 1977 Marvin Santiago recorded and released his first solo album "De Los Soneros".
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Marvin Santiago's remake of a song from his days in Cortijo, "Vasos En Colores", was a major hit from the album and remained in his live repertoire throughout his career.
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In 1980, at the height of his popularity, Marvin Santiago was arrested and imprisoned for cocaine possession.
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Marvin Santiago served in prison a little over five out of the ten years he was sentenced due to good behavior.
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Shortly after he entered prison, Marvin Santiago became a born-again Christian and stopped using drugs.
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Marvin Santiago went to universities and public schools to give talks about drug prevention.
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Marvin Santiago was allowed a prison pass to attend the funeral home where Millet's body rested and pay respects to his friend.
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The title of the album referred to the fact that Marvin Santiago was in prison.
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In 1982, Marvin Santiago was invited and participated on the Third Penitentiary Theater Festival held in Venezuela.
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Marvin Santiago recorded three more studio albums while serving his sentence.
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Marvin Santiago played several shows outside prison while he served his sentence.
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Marvin Santiago appeared on Puerto Rican TV several times, often as a comedian in Luisito Vigoreaux's produced TV shows.
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Marvin Santiago rejoined Valentin in 1991 to record new versions of old songs he did with Valentin for a CD commemorating Valentin's 25th anniversary in the music business.
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Marvin Santiago participated on a concert celebrating Valentin's 25th anniversary, later released on DVD.
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In 2000, Marvin Santiago participated on the theater play "El Hospitalillo" at the Carmen Delia Dipini Theater gathering critical acclaim.
31.
In 2002 Marvin Santiago joined the all-star roster of singers and musicians that took part of Bobby Valentin's 35th anniversary live concert held at the Rio Piedras State Penitentiary.
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In May 2004 Marvin Santiago was part of the singers and musical colleagues that participated on a tribute concert dedicated to the 45th anniversary of Tommy Olivencia musical career.
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Marvin Santiago's diabetes started taking a toll on his health during the 1990s.
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In October 1996 Marvin Santiago had his right leg amputated after having three toes amputated in three separate occasions a few months earlier.
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In November 2002 Marvin Santiago suffered two heart attacks followed by a major kidney failure in February 2003.
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Marvin Santiago's name was placed on a waiting list for a kidney transplant but was not able to get a donor.
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Marvin Santiago's funeral was well attended by the public and music friends, with his brother Billyvan playing a Plena tribute to Marvin.
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Marvin Santiago was buried at Lomas Verdes Cemetery in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
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Marvin Santiago left a legacy of songs still heard and popular phrases still in current use in Puerto Rico.