Rafael Ithier

The '80s was a decade of stability and success for El Gran Combo, as they kept their singers and released consistently good Salsa albums. However, towards the end of the decade, Rafael Ithier had to seek some outside help to deal with…

El Gran Combo of the early '70s is very different than that of the '60s, and by the late 70s it would look totally different again. However, they kept going as if nothing had happened and exited the 70's a stronger combo. New Decade, New…

The '60s saw El Gran Combo go through a rocky startup, develop their own musical identity, achieve success, see their demand decline due to over-exposure, and manage the departure of several key members. Yet, at the end of the decade, they…

It all began on May 26, 1962, when musicians defecting the troubled Combo of timbalero-bandleader Rafael Cortijo decided to form a new band, a new "combo", which they would name El Gran Combo. But the story of one of the most illustrious…

The latest album from legendary Puerto Rican salsa band, El Gran Combo titled "Sin Salsa No Hay Paraiso" will make you feel in paradise if you like salsa music. An excellent production with great themes, solid arrangements, and excellent…