Bronx, NY—-On Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 8 PM. As a Venezuelan singer and actor who has endured the test of time, EL PUMA has captivated fans for six decades with anthemic ballads such as “Culpable Soy Yo,” “Dueño De Ti” and “Agárrense De Las Manos.”
In 2019, EL PUMA returned with the album Agradecido. Released under Sony Music Latin and hailed by Billboard as “a heartfelt celebration of life, legacy, and gratitude,” the album features collaborations with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and standout tracks “Venezuela” and “El Hombre Que Mereces.” Over the span of his career, EL PUMA recorded more than 60 albums, placed over 21 singles on Latin charts, and earned numerous honors such as the Premio ACE Award and multiple Billboard Latin Music Awards.
In addition to his music career, EL PUMA appeared in over 35 soap operas, movies, and international series. He starred in Cristina Bazán (1977) and Una Muchacha Llamada Milagros (1972), where he earned the nickname “El Puma.” His acting career included roles in Trópico (2007) and Gabriel (2009), and he hosted Disco de Oro for Televisión Azteca in 2007. He also served as a judge and coach on La Voz Perú (2013), La Voz Argentina (2012), and the Colombian dance show La Pista (2013).
JOSÉ LUIS RODRÍGUEZ, known as EL PUMA, started his career in the early 1960s with the group Los Zeppys before joining Billo & His Caracas Boys, where he developed his signature tenor voice. His solo career reached new heights in the 1970s and 1980s with hits like “Dueño de Nada,” “Baila Mi Rumba,” “Pavo Real,” and “Agárrense de las Manos,” all of which dominated the Latin music charts. EL PUMA’s international breakthrough came with albums such as El Hombre en la Cima (1972), De America… (1976), and Una Canción de España (1977). The lead single from Una Canción de España, “Voy a Perder la Cabeza por Tu Amor,” became a massive hit and even inspired the popular telenovela Cristina Bazán, in which he starred alongside Johanna Rosaly.
This role opened doors internationally and led him to sign with the Spanish division of Ariola Records. Between 1979 and 1997, EL PUMA accumulated six platinum and nine gold records. His 1982 album Dueño de Nada, produced by the renowned Manuel Alejandro, topped charts internationally and went multi-platinum. This album also marked the start of a productive relationship with CBS Records, which led to five consecutive Top Ten albums, including L’Idolo in 1986.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is supported, in part, by public funds through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council and the Bronx Delegation. Additional funding is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with support from the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. We are thrilled to share that Goya Foods has agreed to renew their sponsorship for this season which will help Lehman Center expand our reach to the community.
In addition, we have secured funding from the Howard Gillman Foundation to help grow our programming. The 2024-2025 season is also made possible through sponsorships by Con Edison, Havana Café, Friends of Lehman Center, and our cherished audience members.
Patrons who purchase VIP tickets (first 9 rows of Orchestra Center) are invited to attend a special reception at 6:30pm on the day of the show. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres catered by Havana Cafe.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is on the campus of Lehman College/CUNY at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468. Tickets for JOSÉ LUIS RODRÍGUEZ “EL PUMA” on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 8 pm (VIP $125, $95, $75, $60, $50) can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833; Para Español: 718-960-8835 (Monday through Friday, 10 am–5 pm, and beginning 4 hours prior to showtime on weekends), or through online access at https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/el-puma. The Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd. and is off the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway.
