Rubén Blades lived in Panama the times of military dictatorship of both Omar Torrijos (1968-1981) and the famous Manuel Antonio Noriega (1981-1989).
He was known as a harsh critic of the military dictatorships both in Panama and throughout Latin America, proof of this is the lyrics of his famous song “Disappearances.” What is controversial in this is that in 2004 Blades supported the presidential candidacy of Martin Torrijos, son of former dictator Omar Torrijos, and once Martin Torrijos won the elections, Blades accepted the position of Minister of Tourism in the new government. The association, support and participation of Blades in the political conglomerate created by a military dictatorship left many Panamanians surprised due to the figure of critic, rebel and idealist that Blades had.
Its beginnings
He began singing in a Rock & Roll band with his brother Roberto, but after the incidents of 1963, in which American soldiers killed twenty-one compatriots, he stopped singing in English and resumed the Latin tradition, recording his first album in 1969. That same year he moved to New York to complete his law studies.
Back in Panama, his musical career took him away from the legal profession and in 1974, definitely opting for the stage, he returned to New York, the true epicenter of the salsa scene in those years. He sang in Ray Barretto’s band and in 1976 he began a series of recordings with the Willie Colón combo; Among them stands out Siembra (1977), the best-selling salsa album in history, which also features his most popular song, Pedro Navaja. It was followed by Maestra vida (1980) and Looking for America (1984).
In 1984 the committed Blades began recording solo and, a couple of years later, made his first film appearance, Crossover Dreams. Involving himself in activities such as the anti-apartheid struggle, he continued his career in the eighties, and in 1988 he recorded Nothing but the truth, his first album in English, with songs written with Lou Reed, Elvis Costello and Sting.
The balance of his acting career can be considered positive, despite the alternation of interventions in such disparate titles as Predator 2 or A Place Called Miracle, a social criticism film directed by Robert Redford. Always concerned about the political and social reality of his country, in 1994 he founded the Movement Papa Egoró party (Mother Earth, in the Embá language) and ran as a candidate for the presidential elections in May of that year, obtaining 17 percent of the votes cast. The passage of the years has not diminished his dedication to music; With the turn of the century, he continued to publish new solo albums or in collaboration with other artists, such as Encuentro (2002, with Juan Luis Guerra and Draco Rosa) or Eba Say Ajá (2012, with Cheo Feliciano).
Family
One of the five children of the Cuban actress and bolero singer Anoland Bellido de Luna, and of the Colombian Rubén Blades Bosques, athlete and percussionist. Brother of Luis, Roy, Melanie and of fellow singer Roberto Bladés.
His paternal grandfather, Rubén Blades, was an English-speaking native of Saint Lucia who moved to Panama as an accountant.
Singer
He made his debut as a singer at the age of 18 and, two later, records with the group Los Magníficos.
Studies
During 1970 he visited New York for the first time, but returned to Panama shortly after to study Law.
Composer
In 1971 Ricardo Ray recorded a song of his Guaguancó weird. Three years later, Ismael Miranda sang Las esquinas son and returns to New York to dedicate himself to music.
Fania All Stars
He worked with Fania All Stars and in 1976 he appeared in the Tribute to Tito Rodríguez singing Los Muchachos de Belén.
In 1977 he released his first LP with Willie Colón, they produced together until the beginning of the ’80s some records where salsa gained maturity.
The Fania company, which previously viewed this political turn with a bad eye, was forced to continue from the fact that Rubén and Willie had become stars.
Pedro navaja
Later, his song Pedro Navaja became a great international success and since then he has recorded numerous albums and collaborated with salsa and rock stars, such as Lou Reed.
In 1996 he received the Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Artist.
Actor
As a film actor, he worked on Critical Condition (with Richard Pryor, 1987), The Milagro Beanfield War (with Robert Redford, 1988), and The Two Jakes (with Jack Nicholson).
In 2015, his Tangos won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album. In this same year, he was chosen to play Daniel Salazar in the television series Fear the Walking Dead.
On May 10, 2018, he presents the album Medoro Madera.
Political
President of the Papa Egoro movement of Panama, he was a candidate in the 1994 presidential elections in which he was third.
Minister
After the inauguration of the new president of Panama, Martín Torrijos, on September 1, 2004, he was appointed Minister of the Tourism portfolio. Among Blades’ proposals were to encourage ecotourism in the Panamanian jungle and increase the crossing of ships through the Canal.
Marriage and child
Married in 2006 to actress, singer, songwriter and dancer Luba Mason, whom he met during the production of The Capeman.
He is the father of Joseph Verne whom he recognized on December 31, 2014, after 39 years of his birth after conducting DNA tests.
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