Odilio González (born 5 March 1939), known by his stage nameEl Jibarito de Lares, is aPuerto Rican singer, guitarist and music composer who has been singing and composing for more than 65 years. He has mostly played traditional Puerto Rican folkloric music, songs dedicated to Puerto Rico'sjíbaro.[1][2]
González was born in 1939 inPiletas barrio inLares, a municipality ofPuerto Rico. He used to sing at funerals in Lares[3] then became a popular child star after a series of early radio performances in the capital city ofSan Juan.[4]
González has sung in the island's ancient traditional poetic song form, thedécima (also known as "jíbaro" music), as well as performing mainstream pop music. His stage name is "El Jibarito de Lares".[5] He debuted on theNew York City stage in 1958, singing before Puerto Ricans in theTeatro Puerto Rico. His first recordings of traditionaljíbaro, available fromAnsonia Records,[6] were recorded in New York City during that period.[4] Fellow Lares nativeJosé Feliciano's singing style was influenced by González during his youth.[7]
González crossed over into pop music in 1962, when he recordedCelos Sin Motivo, composed byIsmael Santiago. Another of his successful recordings wasYo Tenía Una Luz ("I had a light"), a Christmas song recorded in the early 1970s.[7]
Gonzalez resides inArecibo, Puerto Rico[8] and continues to perform around the island as well as on trips to theUnited States to sing for older Puerto Rican expatriates, including a visit toHawaii to sing before the Puerto Rican diaspora there.[2]
Some of González music includes:[9]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
