Long time vocalist with El Gran Combo, Pedro Rodriguez de Gracia was born on 4 December 1926.

This icon in the salsa music scene started singing in his teens. He sang with various bands and realizing his talent, pursued his career with his first professional work as a member of Conjunto Moderno. Rodriguez moved on to work with some of the best known artists such as Noro Morales, Rafael Elvira, Tito Puente and Gilberto Monroig.

Rodriguez spent some years in the United States. First in New York, where he was well received at the famous Palladium and other venues, then in Chicago, where he formed his own band.

His return to Puerto Rico led him to work again with Noro Morales. But later, in the role that would bring him fame, he joined the newly formed band: El Gran Combo, together with some members of the band led by Rafael Cortijo and Ismael Rivera. He was known for such popular hit songs as “Qué extraña es la vida”, “Amor para ti”, “Arrebatadora”.

Despite his fame as a salsero, Rodriguez also sang boleros, releasing 12 Boleros, Colleción de Oro as just one example.

Rodriguez passed away in 1984 but has been honored many times and in many ways by a public that loved him and his unique contributions to salsa and the music of Puerto Rico.