LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the life and many accomplish-
ments of Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, noted entertainer and musician

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to the memory of those individuals whose creative talents
contributed to the entertainment and the cultural enrichment of the
citizens of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body is justly
proud to pay tribute to the life and many accomplishments and music of
Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, noted entertainer and musician; he will be
recognized posthumously at a celebration to be held in his honor on
Saturday, January 31, 2009, at Hostos Cultural Center of Arts in the
Bronx, New York; and
WHEREAS, Born Pedro Juan Rodriguez Ferrer in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Pete
"El Conde" Rodriguez died on December 2, 2000, in New York City; and
WHEREAS, A golden voiced vocalist's cool and inspired singing style
and regal stage presence befitted his nickname of "El Conde" (The
Count); he was one of the great soneros, a salsa singer who improvises,
and he worked with local groups in his native Ponce before relocating to
New York; and
WHEREAS, Pete Rodriguez first worked with long-time employer Johnny
Pacheco in the mid-60s, appearing on the albums Pacheco Y Su Charanga
Volume IV - "Suav'ito', Canonazo, and Pacheco At The New York World's
Fair; and
WHEREAS, In 1966, Pete Rodriguez sang lead vocals on "Swing" by
Conjunto Sensacion, a three-trumpet group led by Cuban Rey Roig and
featuring pianist Alfredo Rodriguez; El Conde was reunited with Pacheco
in 1966 on "Pacheco Y Su Charanga - By Popular Demand", and between 1967
and 1973 they recorded a further five albums together; and
WHEREAS, One of their best is "Tres De Cafe Y Dos De Azucar" of 1973,
which contained the marvelous "El Piro De Farra"; they also produced
several hits which became classics, such as Catalino Curet Alonso's
composition "La Esencia Del Guaguanco' and "Dulce Con Dulce"; and
WHEREAS, During this period, El Conde gained great acclaim as a found-
ing member of the Fania All Stars, performing an exciting version of his
hit "Pueblo Latino" on their excellent album Live At Yankee Stadium
Volume 1; in 1974, he went solo under the new management of his wife,
Frances, and made a series of albums which used the same typical Cuban
trumpet and tres conjunto format that he had worked in with Johnny
Pacheco; and
WHEREAS, The recording of his debut, El Conde, was directed by Johnny
Pacheco, who also sang in the chorus; the album was a bestseller and won
him the "LATIN NY" magazine award for Best New Band in 1975; and
WHEREAS, Jose Febles arranged the hit tracks "Catalina La O", written
by Johnny Ortiz and "Pueblo Latino", composed by C. Curet Alonso on his
1976 follow-up "Este Negro Si Es Sabroso"; Louie Ramirez produced this
album and El Conde's 1977 release, "A Touch Of Class", which contained
the Ruben Blades composition "Tambo", arranged by Mr. Febles; and
WHEREAS, Pete Rodriguez's wife, Frances took over the role of producer
on "Soy La Ley" in 1979, but Jose Febles returned to handle all
production and arrangement chores on Fiesta Con "El Conde" of 1982; and
WHEREAS, A decade after "Tres De Cafe Y Dos De Azucar", Pete Rodriguez
and Johnny Pacheco teamed up again for four albums between 1983 and
1989, which included their 25th anniversary release "Celebracion"; John-
ny Pacheco was in the background as producer and musical director on El

Conde's salsa romantica orientated "El Rey", released the following
year; and
WHEREAS, Pete Rodriguez remained busy throughout the subsequent
decade, working with his son Pete Emilio and daughter Cita on "Genera-
ciones '93", and Papo Lucca on "Pete Y Papo '96"; and
WHEREAS, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez returned to Puerto Rico in April of
2000 to play with the Fania All Stars at the group's 35th anniversary
show, but died in New York a few months later; he was buried in his
native Ponce, Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez leaves behind a tremendous legacy
of music for his fans listening pleasure; his distinguished record
merits the recognition and honor of this Legislative Body; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the life, accomplishments and music of Pete "El Conde" Rodri-
guez, noted entertainer and musician; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez.