Tony Vega

Tony Vega Cesar (born July 13, 1957) is a Puerto Rican salsa singer.

Early years Vega was born in the town of Salinas, Puerto Rico. His family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when he was three months old, and remained there until he was 10 years old, before moving to Puerto Rico. He was born into a family of musicians so, therefore, he learned how to play the bongos and conga at an early age. In 1967, when he was 10 years old, he played the conga for a children's band called La Preferida. His family moved to New York City in 1968. In New York, Vega continued to go to school. In his free time however, he played the conga for various local Latin rock bands including City Trash.

Latin music was popular in New York during the 1970s and while Vega played the conga for Latin rock bands, he started to become more and more interested in the afroantillano style of music better known as salsa. He listened to and was influenced by Ismael Rivera, Rafael Cortijo, Rafael Ithier and El Gran Combo.

Vega started as a member of Orquesta La Preferida from 1971 to 1973. This album earned him his first gold record. In 1991, Vega won a platinum record with the success of his album Uno Mismo (Oneself). That year he performed in Venezuela and later went to New York where in Madison Square Garden he participated in Tito Puentes 100th recording The Mambo King. He appeared at the New York Salsa Festival in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

Currently Among his most current productions are Si me mira a los ojos (If You Look into My Eyes), Hoy vine a Cantarte (Today I Came to Sing to You), Tropical Tribute to the Beatles (1996) and La Combinacion Perfecta (The Perfect Combination).

Vega continues to perform but, not as often as before. In 1996 he became a "born again Christian".

Recognitions In 1992, he was awarded La Husca Award in Panama and in Puerto Rico won the Agüeybaná de Oro Award for Best Orchestra of the Year. That same year Vega and his band performed in Spain, Chile, Colombia and the United States. He was also among a committee sent to Spain by the Government of Puerto Rico to represent the island when it was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award. He performed in the Sports Palace of Madrid.

In 1996, Vega participated with Marc Anthony in the opening ceremonies of the 7th Gymnastics World Championships celebrated in Puerto Rico.

Discography

Cosquilla Sheila Taina El Picaflor 1980 El 20 De Willie (Willie Rosario) Caramelito del Campo Busca el Ritmo Prohibiciones Como es Posible El Cuatro Yo Me Quedo Tu Prenda Tendida Nadie te Mando Lo mio es Amor Ella Uno Mismo Dame Tiempo Ya es tiempo de Olvidar Si miras a los Ojos Hoy vine a Cantarte Tropical Tribute to the Beatles La Combinacion Perfecta Tu Eres Mi Respirar Hoy Quiero Cantarte Cuestión de Fé