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| Letters |
Grammy 2006
After forty years in the Latin and soul business it is time that the Latin
soul artist get there due and be recognized at this years GRAMMY's ----
They have tried to exclude the Latin soul artists from that period of Latin
history as well as the disco contribution and finally Vibe magazine not
recognizing the rap contribution in English and Spanish. We need your
help in pressuring the GRAMMY's this years to include this rich part of
history at the winter awards show. The purist have had there way long
enough. Remember that Latin music was dying in the late 60's until the
bugulu came along and spreaded Latin soul fever.
PETE RODRIQUEZ,JOE CUBA,TITO RAMOS,JOHNNYCOLON AND JOE
BATAAN LEBRON BROS etc. We plan to start this campaign over the
world with letters to the proper personnel - won't you help us because
you are a important part of the history of Latin music.
Good bless Joe Bataan
After forty years in the Latin and soul business it is time that the Latin
soul artist get there due and be recognized at this years GRAMMY's ----
They have tried to exclude the Latin soul artists from that period of Latin
history as well as the disco contribution and finally Vibe magazine not
recognizing the rap contribution in English and Spanish. We need your
help in pressuring the GRAMMY's this years to include this rich part of
history at the winter awards show. The purist have had there way long
enough. Remember that Latin music was dying in the late 60's until the
bugulu came along and spreaded Latin soul fever.
PETE RODRIQUEZ,JOE CUBA,TITO RAMOS,JOHNNYCOLON AND JOE
BATAAN LEBRON BROS etc. We plan to start this campaign over the
world with letters to the proper personnel - won't you help us because
you are a important part of the history of Latin music.
Good bless Joe Bataan
| I grew up in El Barrio on 1031rd St. I clearly remember Joe Bataan and his GREAT music. I used to watch him rehearse and was always mesmerized by not just the music but by his smooth voice. Joe was always very friendly and never carried an air of stardom about him. Being from 103rd St. I was around many of the salsa musicians of the seventies and many thought of themselves as holier than though and anyone from that area can confirm that. I can remember going to the Amphit theater at 102nd st, by Casita Maria to watch many of the groups perform including English Music artists like Peaches and Herb. Today I am 50 years old and live in the Bronx and I work as a counselor and October I went to Los Angeles to meet with some ex-Mexican gang members ( I do volunteer conflict resolution work ) it was my first time to California. I really wanted to take them a gift that would mean something to them and show them I cared, well lo and behold when I asked the person setting up the trip what I should take he replied "if you have any Joe Bataan music they will love you forever, especially if you have his old music" although I and my own collection of Joe Bataan CD's I went to Amadeo's in the Bronx and bought Joe's My cloud, Poor Boy, What good is a castle, Sad girl, etc, and took them to L.A. I am glad to report today that Joe's music is a hit with East L.A communities just like it was back in the days when he started in the poor communities in East Harlem. A little note I'd like to add is that I was at Hostos College when they inducted the great Ray Barretto into the Hall of fame and I saw Joe Bataan, and to my great surprise Joe Bataan did recognize me, we looked at each other and he smiled at me with such an I know you from somewhere look that my husband said " yo you know that dude cause he looked at you as though he knows you" and I said " Yes I do know him and he's no dude he's just an "ordinary guy" named Joe Bataan. (Ms. New York) |
The greatest news I heard in a very long time was announced on the radio "98.7 KISS FM"
while driving in my car, that Mr. New York, was going to be at Prospect Park this Saturday
7/29/06... Joy, Joy, Joy. Mr. Joe Bataan himself in concert ... I go back to the late 60's young
teenage girl, Brownsville Brooklyn, NY. My favorite brother put me on to him... I was hooked
from day one. Mr.Bataan goes by many crowns..... But I have given him one that he does not
know yet. THE MAN WHO ALSO INVENTED NEW YORK CITY BLUES..He sings the blues of the
city--- Soulful and So REAL.
Unfortunately all the people I grew up are gone, including my brother,my first love I shared
my first slow dance with and far too many of my comrades all solders and warriors gone
home... just faded memories in my soul UNTIL I hear the voice of the KING OF LATIN SOUL,
JOE BATAAN, who's voice brings them all back to me and I get up and dance the Latin with a
twist of the hustle.. and I smile and I smile and I sway and I sway and I can see them all,
laughing dancing and ALIVE. --- young fresh and wild !
Please tell Mr. Bataan, I thank him so very much, for giving me the key made from song and
music to open the doors to all the good memories of my yesterday. His music brings tears of
joy to my eyes. Yes,Yes,Yes, Most Def-- Will be there this Saturday for the celebration.
Peace and LOVE Velma, NYC
while driving in my car, that Mr. New York, was going to be at Prospect Park this Saturday
7/29/06... Joy, Joy, Joy. Mr. Joe Bataan himself in concert ... I go back to the late 60's young
teenage girl, Brownsville Brooklyn, NY. My favorite brother put me on to him... I was hooked
from day one. Mr.Bataan goes by many crowns..... But I have given him one that he does not
know yet. THE MAN WHO ALSO INVENTED NEW YORK CITY BLUES..He sings the blues of the
city--- Soulful and So REAL.
Unfortunately all the people I grew up are gone, including my brother,my first love I shared
my first slow dance with and far too many of my comrades all solders and warriors gone
home... just faded memories in my soul UNTIL I hear the voice of the KING OF LATIN SOUL,
JOE BATAAN, who's voice brings them all back to me and I get up and dance the Latin with a
twist of the hustle.. and I smile and I smile and I sway and I sway and I can see them all,
laughing dancing and ALIVE. --- young fresh and wild !
Please tell Mr. Bataan, I thank him so very much, for giving me the key made from song and
music to open the doors to all the good memories of my yesterday. His music brings tears of
joy to my eyes. Yes,Yes,Yes, Most Def-- Will be there this Saturday for the celebration.
Peace and LOVE Velma, NYC
| *** Joe Bataan last night *** Sam & Yoko, I met you two last night at the Herbst Theater. Absolutely thank you for bring Joe Bataan last night!! What a wonderful time and a place to relive those wonderful memories. The fact that someone believed in him and brought him for us to share in that experience was a blessing. He met all of our expectations. Joe Bataan is looking healthy and taking care of his life and it shows!! I asked him to do the "Peace and Solidarity" song in the midst of turmoil the world is experiencing through the war and the New Orleans travesty. He agreed it is fitting. Please keep my contact because I DO reach a large audience of friends and would love help promote. However, I saw all the djays from KPOO, KPFA,KCSM, KISS FM, etc... It was well attended. Thanks again for all your efforts!! Rosario ( A grateful music listener and usher ) |
| El Reportero(The bilingual newspaper )Volume 15, No.26.August24 - 31,2005 www.elreporteroSF.com Joe Bataan, a Latin and R&B music legend comes to SF After 20 years off Joe Bataan is back ---- by the El Reportero Staff Joe Bataan - or as he is more affectionately called, "Mr. New York," is back. Bataan, who burst onto the scene during the late 1960's has just released his first new recording in years. Call My Name, produced by the venerable Bataan. "You gotta understand what it means to a guy like me," Bataan said in a press release, citing how grateful he was that after 40 years in music, he really appreciated Collas efforts. "It was so gratifying that someone would appreciate something you've done" " The Ordinary Guy" grew his talents in Spanish Harlem where Bataan got a name for being a pioneer of rap in Spanish. |
| *** Sept. 4 2005 The Bumbershoot festival in Seattle *** Mr. Bataan I met you at Bumbershoot and I wanted to say thank you very much for the signed picure and the CD. I've been a huge fan of your music for many years. (thanks to my mom), and having the chance to see you live is one of those things that you just don't forget. I am a musician myself and the way your perform on stage is amazing!! It really inspired me to step it up musically and I hope that one day I will be able to control a crowd and move an audience the way you did this weekend at the festival. It's unusual in Seattle to see that many people getting down to the old school sounds the way they were at your performance, young and old. Your music will live on forever through me, my future children, and most likely their kids when they hear your music. Nobody I know can listen to your music without getting hooked to it. I've turned all of my friends Latino, Black,Asian, even White folks into Joe Bataan fans and at 20 years old. I'm sure I will have the chance to turn more folks into fans because your tunes will be blasting my stereo until the day I pass over. So, thanks again sir for your performance and for inspiring me. I hope to have the opportunity to see you again someday, you are truly an incredible person with an amazing gift and an amazing life story. I praise god for allowing me the chance to cross your path. Otis ( Seattle) |
Oh my goodness, meeting Joe Bataan in person that's an offer I can barely refuse. Just the
thought of meeting him in person I can hardly stand it. I've been listing Joe Bataan music since
I was about 16 years old and now I'm 43. His music never get old. His music moves me and I
mean moves my soul. Now my 15 years old daughter is a fan of Joe Bataan. I hope people
down there appreciated him and give him the LOVE he deserves.
I will keep checking the website and my hope is that you guys will bring Joe to Northern
California
again soon. Thank you ------ Morales ( Sacramento, CA)
thought of meeting him in person I can hardly stand it. I've been listing Joe Bataan music since
I was about 16 years old and now I'm 43. His music never get old. His music moves me and I
mean moves my soul. Now my 15 years old daughter is a fan of Joe Bataan. I hope people
down there appreciated him and give him the LOVE he deserves.
I will keep checking the website and my hope is that you guys will bring Joe to Northern
California
again soon. Thank you ------ Morales ( Sacramento, CA)
| Hello, I wish to share a true story about Mr.Bataan. Back in 1974, Mr.Bataan came to LA to promote his new release album on Salsoul Records along with his producer. He was being interviewed at 105.1FM KBCA which was a Latin Jazz station. DJ Richard Leos was there at the time. During the interview Mr. Bataan was taking calls from the radio listeners and I was able to speak with him. I informed him that I was a big fan from back in the day in NYC. I am Puerto Rican and we loved him. He told me to stay on the line and after the interview invited me to his Hotel which was at Sunset Blvd. When I arrived at the Hotel the next day, the elevator going up to his 11th floor suite stopped at the 9th floor. I walked out to find many long hair people in the halls partying. Well it turned out that the Rock group Led Zeppelin was in town and they had rented the whole 9th floor. I continued my journey up to meet Mr. Bataan in his room. He introduced himself, his manager and several people he was playing cards with one which was the bass player for BB. King. Later that evening I hooked Mr. Bataan with my cousin and big fan of his. Mr. Bataan stopped over my house pick up us and we partied hard. I will always remember this because I was young 16 years old but to meet him and from him to be so down to earth always left an impression on me. Good Bless Joe Bataan .................................... Sincerely, Ramon ( LA, CA) |