Johnny Pacheco

Johnny Pacheco, a salsa pioneer and 9-time Grammy nominee, received the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. Beginning in 1960, he formed his own band, Pacheco y Su Charanga, which achieved immense success with their debut album selling over 100,000 copies in its first year. Pacheco introduced the "Pachanga" dance craze and toured internationally, headlining the Apollo Theater in NYC. In 1964, he co-founded Fania Records, releasing music by legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Willie Colon, and composing over 150 songs, including hits like "Mi Gente" and "Quítate Tú."

Johnny Pacheco's contributions to Latin music are vast, earning him 10 Gold records and accolades as a composer, arranger, bandleader, and producer. With a career spanning decades, his impact on the genre is undeniable, solidifying his status as a key figure in salsa history.