Bobby Cruz was born on February 1, 1937, in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico. During his youth, he relocated with his mother to Brooklyn, New York, where he immersed himself in the local music scene. While in Brooklyn, he met pianist Richard "Richie" Ray. The two formed a musical partnership beginning in 1965, with Cruz serving as the lead vocalist, composer, and arranger. This partnership became one of the most influential duos in Latin music history, lasting for over 50 years and contributing significantly to the boogaloo, salsa, and son cubano genres.
Alongside their musical endeavors, Cruz and Ray both became evangelical Christian ministers. During a 16-year period of their peak musical popularity, they founded over 70 Christian churches before temporarily retiring from popular music to focus on their ministry. Cruz's dual legacy as a pioneering salsa vocalist and a religious leader has defined much of his life and career.
Cruz has remained active in the recording industry across multiple decades, with documented releases stretching from 1968 to 2025. His discography includes albums such as "¡Mambo Tata!" (1999), "Un Sonido Bestial El Concierto (En Vivo)" (1999), "Ciento Uno 101" (2004), "Románticos De Ayer, Hoy Y Siempre" (2007), "Alma, Tierra Y Raices" (2012), and "Maestros del Sabor" (2021). His late-career work includes the singles "La Recta Final" in 2022 and "Yo Soy Tú, Tú Eres Yo" in 2025.
