Jerry Rivera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jerry Rivera
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gerardo Rivera Rodríguez |
| Also known as | The baby of salsa |
| Born | July 31, 1973 Humacao, Puerto Rico |
| Genres | Salsa |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1988–present |
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Jerry Rivera (born Gerardo Rivera Rodríguez on July 31, 1973) is a famous Puerto Rican salsa singer and songwriter. He is often called "El Bebé de la Salsa," which means "The Baby of Salsa."
Contents
Jerry's Early Life
Jerry Rivera was born in Humacao, a town on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. His family later moved to Levittown, where he went to school. Music was a big part of his family! His parents and siblings were all musicians. His mother, Dominga, was a singer, and his father, Edwin, played guitar and led a group called Los Barones Trio. Young Jerry often went with them to their shows.
When Jerry was 14, he was with his father at a hotel in Isla Verde. A famous singer named Frankie Ruiz was there and sang a few songs with them. They even took a picture together! Years later, in 2003, Jerry used this picture for the cover of his album Canto a mi Idolo... Frankie Ruiz. This album was a tribute to Frankie Ruiz, who had passed away in 1998.
Jerry's Singing Career
Starting His Music Journey
In 1988, when Jerry was 15, a music producer named Tommy Olivencia heard him sing. Tommy thought Jerry should sing on his own. So, when Jerry was 16, his father made a demo (a sample recording) and showed it to CBS music. They were impressed and signed Jerry to a record deal!
Becoming "The Baby of Salsa"
Jerry's first album was called Empezando A Vivir (Beginning to Live). It had a popular song called De La Cabeza A Los Pies (From Head to Toe). After this, people started calling him "El Bebé de la Salsa" because he was so young and talented.
His second album, Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors), brought even more hits. Songs like Esa Niña (That Girl), Dime (Tell Me), and Como un Milagro (Like a Miracle) became number one hits. They were popular first in Puerto Rico, then among Spanish-speaking people in the United States, and finally all over Latin America.
Breaking Records with Cuenta Conmigo
Jerry's third album, Cuenta Conmigo (Count on Me), was a huge success. It earned three Platinum Record awards in the United States, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Colombia. This album became the best-selling salsa album ever, breaking a record held by Willie Colón. It stayed at the top of the Latin American music charts for three months!
Some of the big hits from this album included the title track Cuenta Conmigo, Me Estoy Enamorando (I'm Falling in Love), and Casi Un Hechizo (Nearly A Charm). The most famous song from the album was Amores Como El Nuestro (Love Like Ours). Many people think this is one of Jerry Rivera's best songs.
Jerry won two Premio Lo Nuestro Awards for "Singer of the Year" and "Album of the Year." Sony Records also gave him three special Crystal Awards for his success.
Jerry's Music Around the World
The catchy introduction to Amores Como El Nuestro has been used in other songs! It was sampled by hip hop artists Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz in their 1997 song "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)". Later, Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean used it in his 2004 song "Dance Like This" for the Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights movie soundtrack. This song later became the worldwide hit "Hips Don't Lie" by Wyclef and Shakira in 2006. You can even hear it in an episode of the animated TV show Daria!
More Albums and Tributes
In 1993, Jerry released Cara de Niño (Baby Face), which had hits like ¿Qué Hay De Malo? (What's Wrong About This?). He continued to release popular albums like Magia (Magic) in 1995 and Fresco (Fresh) in 1996.
In 1999, Jerry tried something new with De Otra Manera (Another Way), which featured more slow, romantic songs called boleros. He even sang the song Ese (Him) with his father at a concert in San Juan.
In 2002, his album Vuela Muy Alto (Fly High) brought him many new fans. The title song and Herida Mortal (Mortal Wound) were big hits. The next year, he went back to his salsa roots with Cantando A Mi Idolo... Frankie Ruiz (Singing to My Idol... Frankie Ruiz). This album was a tribute to his idol and even got him a Latin Grammy nomination!
Jerry Rivera has performed in many countries, including Venezuela, Colombia, the United States, Spain, and Japan. In 2011, he was a judge on Idol Puerto Rico, which is like the Puerto Rican version of American Idol.
Accident in Ecuador
On August 25, 2018, Jerry Rivera had an accident during a concert in Milagro, Ecuador. He was performing on a stage elevator when it broke, causing him to fall. He broke a tendon in his right leg and needed surgery in the United States.
Jerry's Albums
- Empezando a Vivir (Beginning to Live) (1989)
- Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors) (1990)
- Cuenta Conmigo (Count On Me) (1992)
- Cara de Niño (Baby Face) (1993)
- Lo Nuevo y lo Mejor (The New and the Best) (1994)
- Magia (Magic) (1995)
- Fresco (Fresh) (1996)
- Ya No Soy el Niño Aquel (I'm Not That Child Anymore) (1997)
- De Otra Manera (In Other Ways) (1999)
- Oro Salsero (Salsa Gold) (2000)
- Historia 1 (History 1) (2000)
- Para Siempre (Forever) (2000)
- Rivera (2001)
- No Me Olvidarás (You Won't Forget Me) (2001)
- Vuela Muy Alto (Fly Very High) (2002)
- Canto a Mi Ídolo... Frankie Ruiz (Singing to My Idol... Frankie Ruiz) (2003)
- Ay Mi Vida (Oh My Life) (2005)
- Caribe Gardel (2007)
- El Amor Existe (Love Exists) (2010)
- Jerry Christmas (2012)
- Sólo para Mujeres (Only for Women) (2014)
See also
In Spanish: Jerry Rivera para niños
- List of Puerto Ricans
