Tulio Enrique León

Tulio Enrique León (October 11, 1938 ‒ March 18, 1982) was a Venezuelan organist, composer, and arranger. Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, he would become one of Venezuela's most popular artists and came to be known as El Artista del Teclado (the Artist of the Keyboard).

Biography Tulio Enrique Leon's parents were Natividad Ordonez del Castillo and Tulio Enrique León Gonzalez.

Tulio Enrique was attracted to music from an early age when he used to create, according to him, turntables, making a cornet from cardboard, on which he put a sewing machine needle, sliding on a record, to get sound.

In 1947, after his eyesight was examined in the United States by Spanish ophthalmologist Ramón Castroviejo, he was diagnosed with blindness due to optic nerve atrophy. The doctor, considering the irreversibility of the disease, recommended that he use the money for the surgery to buy a piano and learn to play. Having done this, Tulio Enrique's confidence was restored and the doors to his musical career were thus opened.

Tulio Enrique's obsession was playing the organ, as he frequently listened to Radio Caracas, where he often heard the Panamanian organist Salvador Muñoz. He decided to sell the piano, acquiring a Hammond organ and devoted himself to its study and practice.

Musical career In 1961, Tulio Enrique auditioned for and performed on Venevision in Caracas. He debuted in the musical Show de Show (Show of Shows) performing the song "Rio Manzanares." Following his performances in the capital, he appeared on programs including El Show de Renny (The Renny Show), La Feria de la Alegria (The Happiness Fair), and Sábado Sensacional (Sensational Saturday). He was an artist for the Discomoda label. On April 17, 1965, he was ranked number 61 in the Billboard world charts.

Hits Tulio Enrique's success traveled the world, he was an idol not only in his native country, but also beyond. In Argentina he contracted with the Odeon label to record several albums. Hits like La Pollera Amarilla (The Yellow Skirt), Ron y Tabaco (Rum and Tobacco), El Cable Submarino (The Submarine Cable), La Pegajosa (The Sticky), Este es el Ritmo (This is the Rhythm) and others, captivated those who listened. Audiences in the Americas, Asia and Europe enjoyed the songs performed by León during his musical career in his short lifetime.

Legacy Tulio Enrique León's music has had significant influence in the cumbia genre. His records and songs are popular with DJs who specialize in tropical music. The Mexican neo-cumbia band Sonido Gallo Negro has covered several songs by León.

Discography

Series Title Discography DCM-269 Este Es El Ritmo Discomoda DCM-285 Su Nuevo Estilo Al Organo Discomoda DCM-307 El Organo Esta de Moda Discomoda DCM-359 El Dengue Discomoda DCM-386 Mas Ritmo! Discomoda DCM-438 El Artista del Teclado Discomoda DCM-468 Tulio Internacional Discomoda DCM-493 Dentro del Ritmo Discomoda DCM-535 Desde La Argentina Discomoda DCM-562 Vacaciones En Venezuela Discomoda DCM-576 Ritmo Sabroso Discomoda DCM-608 Mas Ritmo Sabroso Discomoda DCM-627 Gozando Con Tulio Discomoda DCM-654 Rica Cumbia Discomoda DCM-661 Vacaciones En Venezuela Vol. II Discomoda DCM-694 Con Tulio Es Mejor La Cumbia Discomoda DCM-701 Vacaciones En Venezuela Vol. III Discomoda DCM-712 Solamente Esto! Discomoda DCM-739 Viajando Con Tulio Discomoda DCM-758 Los Hits Del Momento Discomoda DCM-790 Los Hits Del Momento Vol. II Discomoda DCM-800 Saaa...brosisimo Discomoda DCM-829 Exitos y Mas Exitos Discomoda DCM-866 El Nuevo Tulio Enrique Discomoda DCM-904 El Nuevo Tulio Enrique Vol. II Discomoda DCM- Vacaciones En Venezuela Vol. IV Discomoda DCM-957 El Nuevo Tulio Enrique Vol. III Discomoda DCM-977 Vacaciones En Venezuela Vol. V Discomoda DCM- A Millon Discomoda DCM-1112 Vacaciones En Venezuela Vol. VI Discomoda DCM-1136 En La Onda Discomoda