William "Willie" Anthony Colón Román (April 28, 1950 – February 21, 2026) was an American salsa musician and producer.

Willie Colón was a Nuyorican, a New York-born son of Puerto Rican parents. Born in the Bronx, he was raised not by his parents, but by his grandmother and aunt. Through them, he was familiar with traditional Puerto Rican music and other Latin American music from an early age.

At 15, Colón signed with Fania Records and released his first album at 17. There, he worked as a trombonist and backing vocalist with musicians such as singers Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz, and Rubén Blades, and percussionist Ray Barretto.

He developed a close friendship with Héctor Lavoe, whom he had included in his own orchestra. After a temporary professional separation—due in part to Lavoe's drug addiction—they reunited. Following Lavoe's death, Colón himself took over the vocals.

One of his albums, Siembra—a co-production with Blades—was for a long time the most successful salsa album of all time, until Jerry Rivera surpassed it.

Discography
1968: The Hustler (Fania)
1972: Crime Pays (Fania)
1978: Siembra by Willie Colón & Rubén Blades (Fania)
1993: Hecho un Puerto Rico (US: Double Platinum (Latin)×2)[2]
1995: Tras la tormenta (with Rubén Blades, US: Platinum (Latin))

Como un Huracán

Tras la Tormenta - Willie Colon & Ruben Blades

 

Rest In Power Willie!
¡El Crimen Paga BIEN!

 

RIP

 

Plástico - Plástico · Willie Colón · Rubén Blades - 1978 Craft Recording

 

Incredible artist. Sad day here in the barrio. Went out an hour for a birthday event and he was playing. I love Willie, Hector Lavoie, Fania All Stars, Ray Baretto, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades etc.