EDDIE BENITEZ

DIVINE INSPIRATION

Eddie Benitez has been making news since the day he was born. According to a local legend in San Juan, PR, a strange cosmic event took place on November 11, 1962. Many observed the noonday sun dance across the sky as if in some kind of celestial celebration. At that very moment, Eddie Benitez was born. Perhaps not coincidence, as a legend had been born, with a fire dance in the sky, hinting at the electrifying world music to come forth from his humble beginning.

By the age of thirteen, Eddie had been playing for years, had studied classical guitar with Andres Segovia while living in Europe with his family. He then continued to teach himself, forming his own group, "Nebula," when he was just 12, and winning local battles of the bands in Brooklyn, where his family had since put down roots.

At 14, Eddie had record companies battling for his band to sign with them, eventually choosing Fania Records. Now a part of the Fania All-Stars, he was thurst onto the stage at Madison Square Guarden in 1976, performing with legends like Tito Puente, Charlie & Eddie Palmieri, and Mongo Santamaria. He then did something no one else had: He bridged Latin Jazz with the NYC Punk Rock scene, and was the first Latin recording artist to perform at the famous Punk Rock club, CBGB's, hanging with the likes of Debbie Harry, and The Ramones.

Eddie was diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 23, and after 3 years of treatments, was told he had only three months to live. What happened then remains unexplained: Eddie received a dramatic spiritual vision, during which a complete healing occurred. His cancer was spontaneously healed, baffling his doctors. This changed his life forever...to be continued.