Johnny Pacheco - Fania Records

Fania Records

Pacheco's career as a musician reached its peak in 1963, when he joined forces with Jerry Masucci to create Fania Records, of which Pacheco was the CEO, creative director, and musical producer. There, he launched and solidified the careers of many artists who are now part of the history of the “Fania Family.” This was the record label that would set the standard in Latin music and gain unforeseeable celebrity internationally.

In 1964, the label released his next endeavor entitled Cañonazo (Cannon Shot). The album feature Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez on vocals and a switch from the Charanga to Conjunto style. This was the first of many recordings with the "compadres" (literally familial compatriots), and the beginning of a long friendship and working relationship. Together, they recorded Los Compadres (1970), Perfecta Combinacion (Perfect Combination) (1971), Tres de Cafe y Dos de Azucar (Three Parts Coffee and Two Parts Sugar) (1973) and many other successful albums.

In 1968, he gathered many of the musicians from the Fania label and showcased them together in concert. This marked the birth of the legendary Fania All-Stars.

Also in 1966, Pacheco worked with the nasal voiced singer Monguito "El Unico" (from Orquesta Broadway) and vocalist Chivirico Davila to record the seminal "Viva Africa" LP. This album nods to Pacheco's increasing popularity at the time in West Africa.