Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez

One of the great soneros (a salsa singer who improvises) Pete Rodríguez earned his nickname of "El Conde" (The Count) with his cool singing style and regal stage presence. He began a long collaboration with Johnny Pacheco in the mid-1960s; the pair produced several classic hits, including"‘La Esencia Del Guaguancó" and "Dulce Con Dulce." Rodríguez’s 1974 debut solo effort was directed by Pacheco, and became a bestseller, as was the 1976 follow-up. Rodríguez returned to Pacheco for a 25th anniversary release, and remained busy through the '90s. Rodriguez passed away in 2000.