Willie Colón has passed away, aged 75. A statement was released on
Willie's own Facebook page to confirm the news of his passing.Videos by Wide Open Country
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and renowned musician, Willie Colon," the statement read. "He passed away peacefully this morning, surrounded by his loving family. While we grieve his absence, we also rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories he created that will live on forever."
The statement then continued to thank Willie's fans for their kind words, prayers and support during such a painful and difficult moment.
"Our family is deeply grateful for your prayers and support during this time of mourning. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate our grief."
While there has been no official release regarding what led to Willie's passing, TMZ has reported that Willie had been hospitalized shortly before his death.
"There is no mention of a cause of death, but this announcement comes after unconfirmed reports came out earlier this week, stating Colón was hospitalized for respiratory problems."
Willie was an incredibly popular and successful artist. During his career, he received 11 Grammy nominations. His Spotify page notes over 11.5 million monthly listeners. When factoring in the other streaming platforms, that number is probably closer to 25 million.
Willie Colón's Manager Has Also Released a Statement
Following the confirmation of Willie's death, his manager, Pietro Carlos, also released a statement.
"Today, we've lost an architect of the New York sound. A trombonist who made metal his banner and wrote eternal chapters in our musical history," the statement began. "Willie didn't just change salsa; he expanded it, politicized it, clothed it in urban chronicles, and took it to stages where it hadn't been heard before. His trombone was the voice of the people, an echo of the Caribbean in New York, a bridge between cultures."
The statement ended with a simple goodbye message.
"Today, we say goodbye to a master, but his legacy lives on. And thanks, Willie, for everything, but above all, their friendship."
Currently, there is no information regarding Willie's upcoming funeral. Those details will likely remain private among family and close friends.
