Alvaro Jose Arroyo

RIP
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Alvaro Jose Arroyo
Also known as
El Joe, & Joey
Born
1 November 1955
Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia
Died
26 July 2011
(aged 55)
Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
Genres
Salsa, tropical, Cumbia
Occupations
Singer-songwriter, record producer, musician,
Instruments
Vocals
Years active
1969–2011
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Álvaro José Arroyo González(also known as Joe Arroyo El Joe; 1 November 1955- 26 July 2011) was a Colombian salsaand tropical music singer and songwriter.
Joe Arroyo was born in Cartagena. At the age of ten, he was already singing in one of Cartagena's popular music halls.
In 1971, Arroyo had his biggest opportunity of becoming a nationally known artist. He was discovered by Ernesto Estrada, the bass player and singer of the band Fruko y sus Tesos and signed up with Colombian record label Discos Fuentes. [1]With the band he performed for ten years until in 1981 when he began his solo career leading his band, named "La Verdad" (The truth).
Joe Arroyo became very successful by mixing salsa, merengue, soca, kompa, zouk and other music from the African Diaspora in a unique style that has earned him the prefix of Sonero de la Salsa by renown critics and fans. One of his most famous songs is Rebelión (No Le Pegue A La Negra); It is widely considered one of the greatest salsa songs of all time.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rMKCjlCTME
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Joe Arroyo left behind the stage many times due to his health problems. On more than one occasion, he was thought dead because of his abrupt absences from media attention. Joe Arroyo had to go through surgery because of problems with his legs.
He was once in a coma for 3 months due to his drug abuse. After recovering from the coma he wrote the song "A Mi Dios Todo Le Debo" (I owe God everything).
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhIC85Cdh_Q
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Arroyo died on July 26, 2011 after spending nearly a month in a Barranquillahospital due to heart failure. During his stay in the hospital his health deteriorated. The day before his death, doctors announced the singer was suffering from several organ failures and he was given his final sacrament by the local bishop. The singer died at 7:45 local time.