Mantanzas, Cuba

December 11, 1916

Universally known as the King of the Mambo, Cuban-born Pérez Prado was the single most important musician involved in the hugely popular Latin dance craze, helping to develop a bright, swinging style with massive appeal for dancers of all backgrounds and classes. Prado played the piano, but was often more in his element as the focal point of the audience's excitement; he leaped, kicked, danced, shouted, grunted, and exhorted his musicians with a dynamic stage presence that put many more sedate conductors and bandleaders to shame. Prado brought mambo all the way into the pop mainstream, inspiring countless imitators. ~ Steve Huey