Nicknamed “El Rey de la Radio,” Polito Vega, who was an influential figure in the New York Spanish-language radio industry for more than 50 years, died at the age of 84 on March 9.
“The impact that Polito has on the music and radio industry, and on the media in general, and I am proud to be his son, they call me the son of the legend, Richie Vega, Son of the Great Polito Vega,” he said. Richie Vega.
Richie says that one of the lessons that he thanks his father for is for having forged him to be a good father, although there were many more that he left him.
“Although radium is in my blood because I was born to Polito, I learned a lot from Polito,” added Richie.
Richie Vega.
The news of his death has been received with sadness and pain by his radio colleagues.
“The king of radio, Polito Vega, a great human being. A man who helped everyone he could shake hands with. You cannot write the history of merengue, salsa, radio, communication in New York without Polito Vega,” said El Pachá, host of La Mega 97.9 FM.
His popular “Salsa Con Polito” and “Clásicos los domingos” on Mega 97.9 became public favorites and his passion for music led him to discover and support new talents.
“He paved the way for many, including this servant, including my colleagues. Those of us who had the honor of meeting him, of talking, of laughing, of even asking for advice, that is a blessing and an honor, and those who did not get to know Polito in that way, we definitely have to thank him anyway,” said Gloria B, announcer of 93.1 Love.
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Born Hipólito Vega Torres in Puerto Rico in 1938, Polito arrived in New York in 1959 at the age of 22 with the intention of establishing himself in the city as a singer, but found his vocation behind the microphone of a radio booth.
Gloria B.
“You have to admire him, because if he came from Puerto Rico, when he was 22 years old and came here and did what he did in New York City, then speaking Spanish was not like today, today being bilingual is a source of pride,” added Gloria B.
It was the early 1960s and in New York, Spanish-language radio was still a market in its infancy. Most part-time stations were AM, but his first show “Fiesta Time” on WNJR quickly became a hit with Latinos.
“A person who has been in charge all his life of promoting good musical values, and supports so many artists, that is why he will be remembered forever as a great promoter of our Latin music,” said Delggis Robles, a fan of Vega
The general public was able to join Polito Vega’s family and colleagues at a funeral home on the Upper East Side to say their last goodbyes.
Also this Tuesday, a mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to honor his memory.
