The great moments of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico told by the vocalist, days after the show at the National Stadium

He trained at the University of Salsa with the teacher Rafael Ithier. Following the advice of the founder and director of The Great Combo of Puerto Rico, the then twenty-something Jerry Rivas assumed the main voice of the group in place of Andy Montañez. “People said it was too white, that it didn’t work, that it had been a bad choice, I felt a lot of frustration“, remember. 45 years have passed since that first time he took the stage with the famous Mulatos del Sabor, he has recorded more than 30 albums and is currently one of the most established members of the group.

“It wasn’t easy, I was getting into shoes that are undoubtedly too big for me to this day, those of Mr. Andy Montañez. The fans were asking for his return, they wanted to see him on stage, not me. Thank God I continued, I was able to overcome it and here we are, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the group and preparing to return to Peru, a country that always welcomes us with love.”, details Jerry Louis Rivas Díaz.

The Gran Combo de Puerto Rico will perform this December 10 at the National Stadium and on December 11 at United Borders in Independence. Álex Matos, Bembe, Álvaro Rod, Brunella Torpoco, Antonio Cartagena, Tania Pantoja and Caliope will be invited to the celebration show. Tickets are on sale through Teleticket.

“I always remember the first time we sang in Peru, it was in 1980, at the Shooting Club; then we present ourselves at the Home Fair, the rest is history. On this occasion we will celebrate all those first times we were there with our music, it will be an unforgettable reunion, an endless celebration”, warns the lead singer of the famous salsa group.

─How do you get to El Gran Combo?

On April 11, 1977, 45 years ago, a person called me to ask me to go to the group’s audition. As I thought it was a joke, I ignored him. Then Rafael Ithier called me, I recognized his peculiar voice immediately. That’s where it all started. I did my first audition at his house, I sang something accompanied by his piano; then he asked me to go to the studio to do a more formal audition, with a track. Some time later, I found out that Mr. ‘Quique’ Lucca from La Sonora Ponceña, father of ‘Papo’ Lucca, recommended me to Ithier. It was a blessing.

─At 21 years old, with little experience in the genre, how do you manage to consolidate yourself in the group?

With the help of my classmates, especially the teacher Rafael Ithier, who was very patient with me, he taught me to sing and transmit songs. Papa Dios did not give him a voice, but he is a natural salsa singer. I tried to assimilate all the recommendations they gave me, Charlie Aponte also helped me a lot in this beautiful adventure.

─What did it cost you to learn more?

In addition to singing, you had to dance and I had two left feet, it was very difficult to learn to dance. He felt that he was not the right person for that position, that he was not doing it well.

Was there a lot of frustration?

Yes, because he wasn’t used to that job and Andy’s fans were asking for his return, luckily social media didn’t exist at that time, imagine what it would have been like, I’m sure he wouldn’t be here.

─What was the first strong success with your voice in El Gran Combo?

“Let them put salsa on it”, which was the song that became internationally known.

─Did the song “Aquí no ha pasado nada” represent the new stage of the group, the departure of Andy Montañez and your entry?

It was a song by Roberto Angleró, may he rest in peace, they sent it to us and Rafael was very interested. The lyrics coincided with the moment the group was living, with Andy leaving and my joining. He says: Nothing has happened here / everything is as it was.

─Is it true that when you applied for El Gran Combo, Gilberto Santa Rosa also applied?

Gilberto always had the intention of joining the group. A long time ago, when I was 18 years old, I went to a patronal party where El Gran Combo was performing and in the middle of the show, a 12-year-old boy took the stage to sing and improvise with incredible talent. It was Gilberto Santa Rosa. He is the group’s number one fan. At some point he did not want to see me and now we are brothers, when I was sick he replaced me, I lent him my shirt so that he would come out in uniform. It was his dream achieved. That’s how great our friendship is.

─Which song from “El Gran Combo” do you identify with?

With one that I had the opportunity to sing when the group turned 20 years old. It’s called “Our Anniversary”, it has a very cool message, every time we sing it we change the number, now we say 60.

Celebrating 20 years of existence / Touting a song everywhere / Here we are, our great group / It was born in Borinquén / To the delight of the world

─An anecdote that you remember with the group.

The day that “Que le pons salsa” was recorded at Madison Square Garden, I met the maestro Frank Grillo, ‘Machito’, in the elevator. He told me: “Gentleman, I want to congratulate you, the theme turned out very well”. I thanked her and everyone went her way. It was an honor, I was marked by that, it was great.

─What is the difference between the first album by El Gran Combo and the latest productions?

Sound differences and some fixes. The only thing that has been tried to maintain is the rhythmic identity, the rhythmic pattern, that it be danceable. The essence remains.

─Is it true that in Peru they performed at an urban music show and the more than 30 thousand people who were there ended up giving them an ovation?

It is true, it was a blessing, we were afraid that they would reject us, but thank God they accepted us, we did very well. It was an experience we will never forget.

─ Do you know the work of Peruvian salsa singers, Josimar, Daniela Darcourt or Yahaira Plasencia?

I know Daniela Darcourt who has been in Puerto Rico, she is very good, she does it very well. Josimar also sings great, there are several talented artists in Peru, César Vega, for example, is a sonero, a great improviser.

─What is the legacy of El Gran Combo for music?

The way in which music has led in these 60 years, without disrespecting the public or anyone. It is a group very close to the people, they come down from the stage to share with the people. It was born that way and that’s the way it is to this day.

─How are you experiencing this new stage in the group with two new members, Anthony García and Joselito Hernández?

With a new vibe, with a lot of energy. These new boys are very talented, collaborative, diligent and pay attention to our recommendations. With them there has been a kind of resurgence in the group, we are going back to the dances, we do voices, interesting songs are being chosen. It is a great stage, El Gran Combo continues and has for a while.