The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is proud to present Venezuelan legend, José Luis Rodríguez, “El Puma,” on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m. As a Venezuelan singer and actor who Lehman offcials say has endured the test of time, El Puma has captivated fans for six decades with anthemic ballads such as “Culpable Soy Yo,” [Guilty Am I], “Dueño De Ti” [I Belong to You] and “Agárrense De Las Manos” [Hold hands].

 

Lehman officials said 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. They said his solo career reached new heights in the 1970s and 1980s with hits like “Dueño de Nada” [Owner of Nothing], “Baila Mi Rumba” [Dance my Rumba], “Pavo Real” [Peacock], and “Agárrense de las Manos” [Hold Hands] all of which dominated the Latin music charts.

 

They said El Puma’s international breakthrough came with albums such as El Hombre en la Cima (1972) [The Man at the Summit], De America….. (1976) [From America….], and Una Canción de España (1977) [A Song from Spain]. The lead single from Una Canción de España, “Voy a Perder la Cabeza por Tu Amor” [I’m Going to Go Crazy for Your Love], became a massive hit and even inspired the popular telenovela, Cristina Bazán, in which Rodríguez starred alongside Johanna Rosaly.

 

Lehman officials said the role opened doors internationally and led Rodríguez to sign with the Spanish division of Ariola Records. They said between 1979 and 1997, El Puma accumulated six platinum and nine gold records. They said his 1982 album Dueño de Nada, produced by the renowned Manuel Alejandro, topped charts internationally and went multi-platinum. They said this album also marked the start of a productive relationship with CBS Records, which led to five consecutive Top Ten albums, including L’Idolo [The Idol] in 1986.

 

Lehman officials said that in 2019, El Puma returned with the album “Agradecido” [Grateful]. 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” [The Man You Deserve]. They said 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. Lehman officials said he starred in Cristina Bazán (1977), and Una Muchacha Llamada Milagros [A Young Girl Called Milagros] (1972), in which he earned his nickname of El Puma. They said his acting career included roles in Trópico [Tropic] (2007) and Gabriel (2009), and he hosted “Disco de Oro” [Golden Disco] for Televisión Azteca in 2007. He also served as a judge and coach on La Voz Perú [The Voice of Peru] (2013), La Voz Argentina [The Voice of Argentina], (2012), and the Colombian dance show La Pista (2013) [The Track].

 

The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is located 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, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m. can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at (718) 960-8833. Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and beginning four hours prior to showtime on weekends, or online at https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/el-puma. (Para español, llama (718) 960-8835.) The Lehman Center is accessible on the subway via the number 4 or D trains to Bedford Park Boulevard subway station, or off the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway by road.

 

Patrons who purchase VIP tickets (for the first nine rows of the orchestra center) are invited to attend a special reception at 6.30 p.m. on the day of the show. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be catered by Havana Café.

 

The 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.

 

Goya Foods has renewed sponsorship for the current season which helps the Lehman Center expand its reach to the community. In addition, the Center has secured funding from the Howard Gillman Foundation to help grow its programming. The 2024-2025 season is also made possible through sponsorships by Con Edison, Havana Café, Friends of Lehman Center, and the Center’s cherished audience members.