Once the song “Rumors” made its way into the New York City radio stations, Joey Pastrana knew he had that rarest of hits: The crossover. The melody of “Rumors” was released in the year 1967 and was an instant success with audiences across the city. People didn’t have to be Latin to enjoy or understand this pop music gem. Pastrana’s boogaloo had finally reached the masses, and he was one its major stars.
Best known for the chart-topping crossover hits “Riki-Ch” and “Dance Dona”, Joey Pastrana had a special gift for singing songs in both English and Spanish. Along with other boogaloo luminaries like Pete Rodriguez and Joe Cuba; Joey Pastrana was responsible for introducing Latin music to many English speakers across America. With a wonderful and talented orchestra, Joey Pastrana paved the way for the new Latin music fusions that have come to be known as the Latin boogaloo.
A master of the timbales, Pastrana was also a brilliant singer known internationally for his energizing live performances. Honing his musical skills in his beloved New York City, Joey was enamored at an early age by the sights and sounds coming out of Spanish Harlem during the early sixties. Taking his cue from the R&B and Jazz that was popular at that time, Pastrana became a master of rolling rhythms that shook up hips in dance floors throughout the world. One of the top artists of the boogaloo/Latin soul era, Joey Pastrana’s music is regarded as one the most wonderful and exquisite examples of the world-famous New York Latin sound.
