By: Sergio A. Rendón Ángel
For: www.latinastereo.com
Medellín, Colombia, april de 2026.
From an early age he developed a passion for music, especially singing. This is how he began his musical career with the group Alegre and later became part, for one year, of the orchestra of Míster Afinque, Willie Rosario, although he did not record with them. Later he joined another group called Continental Sextet, and afterward became a member of the band Tempo 74, with which he recorded an album titled precisely Tempo 74. In this production he made his recording debut with the songs “El Pie,” “Pa’ la Montaña,” and “Que Se Vaya.” The album was released under the Performance Records label.
The great moment of Papo Rosario’s artistic life came in 1980, when he joined El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. With “La Universidad de la Salsa” he remained for 38 years, until 2018, when he retired due to health issues.
Luis Alberto Rosario replaced the great dancer, choreographer, and backing vocalist Mike Ramos (Nicasio Ramos – Bayamón, Puerto Rico). During his time with this already renowned group, he participated in around twenty-five albums, mainly performing as chorus singer, percussionist, and vocalist. He was lead singer on the songs “Carbonerito,” “Jala Jala,” “Regresa Ya,” “No Me Olvides,” “Todo Bien,” “Le Dicen Papá,” and “Estás Liquidao.”
Undoubtedly, Papo Rosario is remembered for the song “El Carbonerito,” composed by Pete Velásquez and included in the album In Alaska: Breaking the Ice, released by Combo Records in 1984.
Papo Rosario was part of emblematic musical productions by El Gran Combo, always alongside Charlie Aponte and Jerry Rivas, including albums such as:
Unity, Happy Days, Nuestro Aniversario, La Universidad de la Salsa, In Alaska: Breaking the Ice, Innovations, Nuestra Música, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico y su Pueblo, Romántico y… Sabroso, Nuevo Milenio: El Mismo Sabor, and Arroz con Habichuela.
Among the many hits of El Gran Combo in which Papo Rosario participated during his nearly four decades with the group are the following classics: Resignación, A la Reina, Aguacero, Arroz con Habichuelas, Azuquita pa’l Café, Caja de Sorpresas, Camino de Amapolas, Carbonerito, Compañera Mía, El Amor es Ciego, El Menú, Gotas de Lluvia, La Fiesta de Pilito, La Loma del Tamarindo, Las Hojas Blancas, Lírica Borinqueña, Me Liberé, Nadie Sabe lo que Tiene, No Hay Cama pa’ Tanta Gente, Piénsalo, Quince Años, Regresa Ya, Te Regalo el Corazón, Timbalero, Tu Mirada, and Y No Hago Más Na’.
After retiring from El Gran Combo, Papo Rosario made a musical recording with the pianist, arranger, composer, and producer from Old San Juan, Isidro Infante. The project was the album titled Salsa de la Buena: Papo Rosario Featuring Isidro Infante, released under the Salsaneo label in LP format, which includes ten tracks.
Being part of El Gran Combo represented Papo Rosario’s consecration in the world of music. La Universidad de la Salsa has spent more than six decades making the world dance, grounded in discipline, an extraordinary trajectory, and respect for the profession—together with the contribution this Puerto Rican institution has provided under the leadership of Rafael Ithier, who passed away in December 2025 at the age of 99.
“Through these pages we wish to pay tribute to the remembered singer from Santurce, our great Papo Rosario, for all his talent and his valuable contribution to our musical culture. Thank you, Luis Alberto Rosario Concepción. We will always remember you.”
Through this work on the legacy of the Voice of El Gran Combo Luis Alberto Rosario Concepción “PAPO” ROSARIO, on this, our page www.latinastereo.com and its section The Salsa Singer of the Month, we want to pay a small tribute to one of the greats of our music.
