Wilkins (birth name: Germán Wilkins Vélez Ramírez[note 1]) was born in the city of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, but raised in Mexico City, Mexico. His father, Germán Vélez Forestier, was a radio announcer and part-time singer (he was Mon Rivera's singing partner at the beginning of Mon's career in El Duo Huasteca). As a child, he enjoyed putting on a "show" for his loved ones, which included his sister Bruni Vélez, who would later become a newscaster and TV journalist in Puerto Rico. Wilkins joined the high school choir where he sang solo. During his free time, he sang as back-up for local groups.[1]
Back in Puerto Rico
The family returned to Puerto Rico in 1971, and while seeking a degree in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez, Wilkins decided to pursue a formal singing career. In 1973, Wilkins made his recording debut with an album titled Wilkins (produced by Tito Puente), which was followed in 1974 and in 1975 with the recordings of the albums Por Tu Rumbo (By Your Path) and a second Wilkins, respectively. The albums' successes were followed by several successful concerts, both in Puerto Rico and Latin America. Wilkins' music has also been popular in (Germany) and Japan. Wilkins became the first pop music performer to sing in the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which was only reserved for classical music performers.[1]
In 1980, Wilkins released Respiraré (I Will Breathe) which was named best recording of the year by ASCAP. He was twice named by Billboard and ASCAP as the singer and composer of the year. In 1988, Wilkins participated in the film Salsa, as a homeless person, starring Robby Rosa alongside the likes of Celia Cruz and Tito Puente. In the movie, he sang the song "Margarita", which he composed and which is also included in his Paraiso Perdido album. "Margarita" became one of his greatest "hits" and he won Gold Record Awards in Puerto Rico, Latin America, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Egypt, South Africa and the Philippines.[1]
Lambada
External audio
You may listen to Wilkins' "Margarita" on YouTube.
In the 1980s, a dance craze called the "Lambada" (The Forbidden Dance) spread across the world. Wilkins sang the Latin version of the song, which became a huge success. In 1984, Wilkins included the "Lambada (Llorando Se Fue)" in his album of 15 tracks titled Una Historia Importante (An Important Story).[2]
In 1991, Wilkins' song "Sopa de Caracol" (Conch Soup), co-produced by Emilio Estefan, reached the German "Hit Parade List" and over 25,000 people attended a concert that he gave in Berlin, after the fall of the Berlin Wall.[3]
Tragedy
Wilkins suffered a personal tragedy when his young son Gabriel died of a brain tumor when he was only 19 years old. He stayed away from the music world for three years. In 1995, he recorded El Amor Es Mas Fuerte (The Love is Stronger) which won a "Tu Musica Award" as best album of the year. He was also awarded the Dominican Republic's Casandra Award that same year. He then made his official comeback with a sold-out concert at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium, formerly the biggest concert and sports venue in Puerto Rico. That same year he also won another Gold Record Award for the recording of Wilkins-Leyenda, which consists of a set of four CDs with 70 songs. In the 1990s, he released several other successful albums such as Pole-Pole and held a concert in El Morro fortress in San Juan. In 2005, Wilkins released his 43rd album, Tu Fan, recorded in Italy. Wilkins has won over 23 Gold Record and 10 Platinum Record Awards over the years.[1]
In November 2006, Wilkins released a Greatest Hits collection, featuring a DVD with 17 music videos and five new songs, called Disco de Oro: Cuatro Décadas de Éxitos y Cinco Nuevas Canciones.[4]
In December 2007, Wilkins held a press conference in Puerto Rico to announce his retirement from music after 40 years of career. He said the decision stems from his desire to take care of his nephew (son of Wilkins' sister, Bruni Vélez, who died in 2006) and his mother.[5]
Personal life
Wilkins has been married four times. He had a son, Gabriel, with his first wife, who died in 1994 of a brain tumor. His sister, Bruni Vélez, died in 2006 from Lou Gehrig's disease at the age of 55. Wilkins recorded a song dedicated to her, called "Te Extraño" ("I Miss You") that is included in his latest album "Disco de Oro".[6]
MySpace.com/wilkinsmusic – Official MySpace profile.
Wilkins @ Facebook – Official Page on Facebook.
January 13, 2023
wilkins, singer, wilkins, born, 1953, puerto, rican, music, singer, composer, wilkinswilkins, 1970sbackground, informationbirth, namegermán, wilkins, vélez, ramírezborn, 1953, march, 1953, mayagüez, puerto, ricogenrespop, latin, tropical, musicoccupation, sing. Wilkins born 1953 is a Puerto Rican pop music singer and composer WilkinsWilkins in the 1970sBackground informationBirth nameGerman Wilkins Velez RamirezBorn 1953 03 10 March 10 1953 age 69 Mayaguez Puerto RicoGenresPop Latin tropical musicOccupation s Singer composerYears active1968 presentLabelsMasa Records 1978 present EMI 1998 Masa Records 1995 present BMG 1991 1995 WEA Latina 1987 1990 Masa Records Contents 1 Early years 2 Back in Puerto Rico 3 Lambada 4 Tragedy 5 Personal life 6 Notes 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksEarly years EditWilkins birth name German Wilkins Velez Ramirez note 1 was born in the city of Mayaguez Puerto Rico but raised in Mexico City Mexico His father German Velez Forestier was a radio announcer and part time singer he was Mon Rivera s singing partner at the beginning of Mon s career in El Duo Huasteca As a child he enjoyed putting on a show for his loved ones which included his sister Bruni Velez who would later become a newscaster and TV journalist in Puerto Rico Wilkins joined the high school choir where he sang solo During his free time he sang as back up for local groups 1 Back in Puerto Rico EditThe family returned to Puerto Rico in 1971 and while seeking a degree in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Wilkins decided to pursue a formal singing career In 1973 Wilkins made his recording debut with an album titled Wilkins produced by Tito Puente which was followed in 1974 and in 1975 with the recordings of the albums Por Tu Rumbo By Your Path and a second Wilkins respectively The albums successes were followed by several successful concerts both in Puerto Rico and Latin America Wilkins music has also been popular in Germany and Japan Wilkins became the first pop music performer to sing in the Luis A Ferre Performing Arts Center in San Juan Puerto Rico which was only reserved for classical music performers 1 In 1980 Wilkins released Respirare I Will Breathe which was named best recording of the year by ASCAP He was twice named by Billboard and ASCAP as the singer and composer of the year In 1988 Wilkins participated in the film Salsa as a homeless person starring Robby Rosa alongside the likes of Celia Cruz and Tito Puente In the movie he sang the song Margarita which he composed and which is also included in his Paraiso Perdido album Margarita became one of his greatest hits and he won Gold Record Awards in Puerto Rico Latin America the United States Norway Sweden Germany Greece Egypt South Africa and the Philippines 1 Lambada EditExternal audio You may listen to Wilkins Margarita on YouTube In the 1980s a dance craze called the Lambada The Forbidden Dance spread across the world Wilkins sang the Latin version of the song which became a huge success In 1984 Wilkins included the Lambada Llorando Se Fue in his album of 15 tracks titled Una Historia Importante An Important Story 2 In 1991 Wilkins song Sopa de Caracol Conch Soup co produced by Emilio Estefan reached the German Hit Parade List and over 25 000 people attended a concert that he gave in Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall 3 Tragedy EditWilkins suffered a personal tragedy when his young son Gabriel died of a brain tumor when he was only 19 years old He stayed away from the music world for three years In 1995 he recorded El Amor Es Mas Fuerte The Love is Stronger which won a Tu Musica Award as best album of the year He was also awarded the Dominican Republic s Casandra Award that same year He then made his official comeback with a sold out concert at San Juan s Hiram Bithorn Stadium formerly the biggest concert and sports venue in Puerto Rico That same year he also won another Gold Record Award for the recording of Wilkins Leyenda which consists of a set of four CDs with 70 songs In the 1990s he released several other successful albums such as Pole Pole and held a concert in El Morro fortress in San Juan In 2005 Wilkins released his 43rd album Tu Fan recorded in Italy Wilkins has won over 23 Gold Record and 10 Platinum Record Awards over the years 1 In November 2006 Wilkins released a Greatest Hits collection featuring a DVD with 17 music videos and five new songs called Disco de Oro Cuatro Decadas de Exitos y Cinco Nuevas Canciones 4 In December 2007 Wilkins held a press conference in Puerto Rico to announce his retirement from music after 40 years of career He said the decision stems from his desire to take care of his nephew son of Wilkins sister Bruni Velez who died in 2006 and his mother 5 Personal life EditWilkins has been married four times He had a son Gabriel with his first wife who died in 1994 of a brain tumor His sister Bruni Velez died in 2006 from Lou Gehrig s disease at the age of 55 Wilkins recorded a song dedicated to her called Te Extrano I Miss You that is included in his latest album Disco de Oro 6 Notes Edit In this Spanish name the first or paternal surname is Velez and the second or maternal family name is Ramirez See also Edit Puerto Rico portal Biography portal Music portalList of Puerto Ricans List of Puerto Rican songwriters Music of Puerto RicoReferences Edit a b c d Puerto Rico popular Culture Lambada Llorando Se Fue mp3 Una Historia Importante 15 Grandes Exitos Amazon com Live 2 Nite Wilkins Music Torres Torres Jaime December 4 2007 Se retira Wilkins UnivisionExternal links EditWilkinsMusic com Official Website MySpace com wilkinsmusic Official MySpace profile Wilkins Facebook Official Page on Facebook Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Wilkins singer amp oldid 1117976975, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
