Fania Records was founded in 1964 in New York by Dominican-born composer and bandleader Johnny Pacheco and American attorney and businessman Jerry Masucci.
1965
Jan 01
Bobby Valentín is signed to Fania.
1966
Jan 01
Larry Harlow is signed as an artist and later became a producer for Fania.
Feb 01
Joe Bataan is signed to Fania.
1967
Jan 01
Willie Colón releases his first album.
Willie Colón releases his first album. Willie was signed to Fania Records two years prior but only released his first album until Héctor Lavoe joins his band in 1967.
Jan 01
Ray Barretto is signed to Fania.
1968
Jan 01
The Fania All Stars perform at the Red Garter in New York. Masucci and Pacheco assemble the first Salsa supergroup, the Fania All Stars.
The Red Garter in New York, Masucci and Pacheco assembled the first salsa supergroup Fania All Stars.
1969
Jan 01
Ismael Miranda is signed to Fania.
1970
Jan 01
Vaya Records is founded by Jerry Masucci.
1971
Jan 01
Vaya Records acquires Cotique Records.
Jun 01
Fania Records acquires Inca Records on June 1, 1971.
Aug 26
On August 26, 1971, the Fania All Stars play live at the Cheetah Club and this performance became a transitional moment in Salsa music history.
On August 26, 1971, the Fania All Stars electrified the Cheetah Club stage in New York, causing a salsa-induced delirium that not only defined their career, but the salsa genre.
Sep 01
Cheo Feliciano is signed as a solo artist.
1972
Jan 01
Fania Records releases its full-length feature film, Our Latin Thing.
The definitive Salsa music documentary chronicled the birth of the Salsa explosion documenting the Fania All Stars concert at the Cheetah Club in New York City on August 26, 1971.
1973
Aug 23
On August 23, 1973, Fania All Stars perform at Yankee Stadium.
1974
Jan 01
Celia Cruz is signed to Vaya.
Feb 01
Fania All Stars perform live in Zaire, Africa.
Fania All Stars was invited to perform in Zaire, Africa. The concert was recorded live at Stadu Du Hai in Zaire and released in the mid 80’s.
Feb 01
Rubén Blades is signed to Fania.
Mar 01
The iconic Celia & Johnny album is released.
The album was released in 1974 under Vaya Records. This record put Celia Cruz on the global music map and would be a giant step for Latin music worldwide. It earned Fania a Gold Record.
1975
Jul 29
On July 29, 1975, Fania Records acquires Latin master recordings from Roulette Records and subsidiaries.
1976
Jan 01
Salsa, the film, is released featuring The Fania All Stars.
1980
Jan 01
In the 80’s Fania’s growth slowed with the rising trends of Salsa Romantica and Merengue. At this time, Jerry Masucci moved to Argentina to pursue other interests.
1990
Jun 11
On June 11, 1994, Fania All Stars perform live in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The band performs at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico as Fania All Stars official reunion tour.
Aug 01
Fania artists continued to perform throughout the ’90s and 2000s.
By the end of the ’80s, Fania had produced more than one thousand albums and seven thousand compositions. Fania artists continued to perform throughout the ’90s and 2000s, and many members are still performing today.
