What Was The Cause Of Salsa Music Icon Willie Colon’s Demise At 75? He Was Reportedly Hospitalised

Salsa music pioneer, Willie Colon, passed away on Saturday, i.e., on February 21, 2026. His family confirmed the news through a post on social media. Willie was 75 years old, and he was one of the most influential Latino artists of all time, as selected by Billboard Magazine. Willie Colon’s career spanned nearly 6 decades, and he sang mostly in Spanish. He was the trombonist and orchestra leader for songs like El Malo, Oh, Qué Será, Talento de Televisión and Gitana. While his family confirmed his passing, his followers have been wanting to know what caused his death at the age of 75.

What was the cause of Willie Colon’s demise?

To mention, no official confirmation about what caused Willie Colon’s passing has been shared till now. However, a report by Mint revealed that other information and reports suggested that he was hospitalised in New York due to respiratory issues. There were no additional details about what happened to Willie Colon, and the name of the illness was not provided as well.

Whether he had an underlying chronic condition or whether that developed is not known till now. However, his passing sparked a sense of sorrow around. The family of the musician shared a note on Facebook and mentioned that they have lost a husband, a father and a musician, while adding that he passed away peacefully being surrounded by his family. The family further grieved his absence while cherishing the memories he created through music. Asking for privacy, Willie Colon’s family wrote in the statement:

“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. 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.”

Willie Colon’s manager also took to his social media handle and mentioned that with the passing of the musician, an architect of the New York sound has been lost. According to him, Willie Colon didn’t just change Salsa, but he expanded it, clothed it, politicised it and took it to such stages where it was heard never before. His manager, Pietro Carlos, revealed to AFP:

“Willie didn’t just change salsa; he expanded it, politicised it, clothed it in urban chronicles and took it to stages where it hadn’t been heard before. Willie didn’t just change salsa; he expanded it, politicised it, clothed it in urban chronicles and took it to stages where it hadn’t been heard before.”

More about Willie Colon

Willie Colon was a famous musician who blended jazz, rock and salsa and incorporated it with traditional music from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Africa. Over the 60 years of his career, he produced 40 albums, and he sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. The musician even collaborated with several famous stars like Fania All Stars, David Byrne and Celia Cruz. Apart from being a musician, Willie Colon also acted in Vigilante, The Last Fight, and It Could Happen to You. He also appeared on TV in Miami Vice and Demasiado Corazón.

Lastly, he was seen in Bad Bunny’s music video for NuevaYol. The musician was born in 1950, and it was his grandmother who taught him Spanish and reminded him of the most recognisable elements of Puerto Rican culture. At the age of 12, Willie Colon was a child who was learning to use a trumpet, and following this, he shifted to trombone, playing in the corner of his neighbourhood. At the age of 16, he recorded his first album, and the rest is history.

We wish Willie Colon’s family strength to deal with this tough time!

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