Johnny Pacheco (1935 -2021) was and is a legend in Latin music. Dominican born musician, arranger, composer, producer, and bandleader of Latin Music.

He is was of the most influential figures in Latin music, best known for being the creator of the Fania All-Stars and Co-Founder of Fania Records, and for arguably coining the term "Salsa" to denote the genre. Pacheco is widely recognized as a salsa pioneer and innovator and is a 9-time Grammy and Latin Grammy nominee and was awarded the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by The Latin Recording Academy in 2005.

For decades, Johnny Pacheco has been at the center of the Latin music universe. His nine Grammy nominations, ten Gold records and numerous awards pay tribute to his creative talent as composer, arranger, bandleader, and producer. Moreover, he is the pioneer of an unforgettable musical era that changed the face of tropical music history, the Fania All-Stars era. Throughout his 60 plus year involvement with the development of Latin music, Johnny Pacheco received many kudos for his extraordinary genius.

A little-known aspect to Johnny Pacheco's career is the fact of his being one of NY's most in demand recording studio musician's in the 1960's and 70's, recording on Billboard number one pop hits, Melanie's "Brand New Key," and Eydie Gorme's "Blame It On The Bossa Nova." He is a musician on recordings by Ethel Smith, Ernestine Anderson, Rene Hernandez, Tito Puente, Dioris Valladares, Eydie Gorme, The Rascals, George Benson, Astor Piazola, Woody Herman, Melanie, DLG, Herbie Mann, Marlena Shaw, Stan Kenton, McCoy Tyner, Tico All-Stars, Johnny Lytle, Eroll Garner, Johnny Mandel, Max Roach, Jimmy Smith, Les McCann, Esquivel, Dick Hyman, Charlie Palmieri, Armando Peraza, J.J. Johnson, Carlos Valdes, Conti Condoli, Bob Rosengarden, Shirley Scott, Kenny Burrell, Mongo Santamaria, David Byrne, Gaitanes, Milton DeLugg, Banchee, Alegre All-Stars, Hugo Montenegro, Maynard Ferguson, Ozomatli, Mangu, Aljadaqui, and as needed for "The Tonight Show” Orchestra with Johnny Carson, under both Skitch Henderson and Doc Severensen, The Steve Allen Show and Merv Griffin Shows.

In November of 1998, he was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame. In 1997 he was the recipient of the Bobby Capo' Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded by NY Governor George Pataki. In 1996 the president of the Dominican Republic, Juaquin Balaguer bestowed him with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Honor. In addition, Pacheco was presented with the First International Dominican Artist Award from the distinguished Casandra Awards. In June 1996, Johnny Pacheco was the first Latin music producer to receive the NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) Governor's Award in New York City. In 2004, Johnny received ASCAP's prestigious Silver Pen Award. In 2013, his album with Celia Cruz "Celia & Johnny" (1974) was selected as one of the recordings to be added to the Library of Congress National Registry of Sound Recordings.

His recent passing on February15, 2021 at the age 85, was world news on all major news outlets around the world. The outpouring of love and admiration for this musical genius was shared by the greatest names in the genre and the person on the street. We will always strive to keep his memory alive as well as his music and persona which will last forever.

RIP QEPD El Maestro Johnny Pacheco.

Among the many classic songs in Mr. Pacheco’s writer and/or publisher repertoire are:

Mi Gente - Héctor La Voe, Fania All-Stars Quitate Tu - Fania All-Stars Macho Cimarron - Fania All-Stars El # 100 - Tito Puente Acuyuye - Johnny Pacheco El Guaba - Celia Cruz Tararea Kumbayea - Celia Cruz Estrellas de Fania - Fania All-Stars El Rey De La Puntualidad - Héctor La Voe Celia y Tito - Celia Cruz & Tito Puente Coro Miyare - Fania All-Stars El Guiro De Macorina - Pacheco y Su Charanga Celebrando El Numero Cien - Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz

Grammy Nominations:

"El Maestro by Johnny Pacheco" Best Latin Recording - 19th Annual GRAMMY® Awards (Nominee) 1976

"Cross Over" by Fania All-Stars" Best Latin Recording - 22nd Annual GRAMMY® Awards (Nominee) 1979

"Eternos" by Celia Cruz And Johnny Pacheco" Best Latin Recording - 22nd Annual GRAMMY® Awards (Nominee) 1979

"De Nuevo" by Celia Cruz And Johnny Pacheco" Best Tropical Latin Performance - 28th Annual GRAMMY® Awards (Nominee) 1985

"Salsobita" by Johnny Pacheco And Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez" Best Tropical Latin Performance - 31st Annual GRAMMY® Awards (Nominee) 1988