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The following interview is of Mr. Freddie Rios (on the right above).
His partner, Mike Ramos was not available at the time of this interview
Born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Freddie Rios started dancing at a
very young age. He is one of those individuals who experienced the era
of the Palladium (1950's) when the Mambo was the craze. Wednesdays was
"the" night at the famous Palladium located in New York City where you
would find celebrities like Marlon Brando, Sammy Davis, Jr. Bill Cosby
and others. They were all fans of the music and the dance. It was here
that Freddie Rios "educated" himself in the mambo. Listening to the
masters like Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez and Machito, Freddie found
himself in the best "school" there was. It would not be long before
Freddie and Mike would be named "The Palladium Mambo Legends".
Most people don't perform the Cha-cha-cha as much as the mambo. The
Cha-cha-cha happens to be a favorite dance of Freddie Rios. He has
revived the famous "Cha-cha Taps" number he and Mike Ramos created. We
all know that tap dancing has been around for a very long time but it
was Freddie and Mike who placed the "taps" into a cha-cha-cha. In fact,
the year was 1958 when they first performed this number for channel 13,
WATV-Newark New Jersey for the "Perucho Show". Since then, they have
performed the number all over the world.
Freddie Rios shows the versatility of the mambo and the love for the
dance through his performances. He has performed in the best nightclub
clubs of New York City as well as having appeared on T.V.'s "The
Christina Show" and "Sabado Gigante". He also appeared as a principle
dancer in the major motion picture "Carlito's Way".
When most people would consider retiring, Freddie travels
internationally to share his love of the dance. Most recently, and as
part of the Bacardi Salsa Congress World Tour 1999, Freddie Rios
introduced the cha-cha taps in India for the first time. While there, he
performed in the cities of Goa, Calcutta, New Delhi, and Bangalore. We
are grateful that Mr. Freddie Rios is alive, well, and sharing with us
the dance that people from all walks of life have come to embrace and
enjoy.
The following interview took place in New York City 1999. We didn't
know it at the time but when we finished the interview and walked
outside, I noticed where we were. Without planning, we found ourselves
one block away from where the original Palladium stood - 53rd St
Broadway Enjoy the following interview.
Angel: Where were you born Freddie?
Rios: I was born in Puerto Rico in a town called Vega Baja
Angel: As a child, when did you begin listening to music?
Rios: When I was young, I use to watch the Fred Astair, Gene
Kelly, and The Nicholas Brothers movies. I used to listen to the music
of Perez Prado and this all inspired me. Watching the Nicholas Brothers
gave me the idea of dancing in pairs (2 people). From there I also came
up with the idea of the cha-cha taps.
Angel: Do you recall your first dance steps as an adult?
Rios: The first time for me was at a place called "The Tropicana"
which was located on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. From 1951-52, I
recall going there and hearing Tito Puente a number called "El Baile del
Pinguino" (The Penguin Dance) There was also the popular "Babarabatiri".
I remember that in those days you always found yourself dancing because
of all the percussion solos and the music just compelled you to dance.
Today, there is a lot of Salsa Romantic music. I learned how to dance by
following the sounds of the conga. (Freddie verbally sounds the tumbao
rhythm) The dance at the time was danced from the heart and you didn't
really need to count. Commercialism brought about the counting that we
here these days.
Angel: How did the name Palladium Mambo Legend come about?
Rios: The idea was both Mike Ramos and I and since back then the
Palladium was happening, well, the name stuck.
Angel: What was it like listening to the music in the early days?
 Rios:
It was a fever to go dancing. The Palladium was open Wednesdays
through Sundays. The days I didn't go dancing, well, I would be upset
because it was such a fever to go dancing in those days. Everyone from
all walks of life would go to the Palladium to dance. Much like today,
you found people from all nationalities enjoying the music and the
dance.
Angel: Who were some of the Artists playing at the time?
Rios: The best were there. Machito, Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez,
Noro Morales, Gran Combo, Joe Cuba. One of my favorites is Tito Puente.
Angel: Who were some of the dancers you admired during the Palladium
era?
Rios: Cuban Pete, Anibal Vasguez, Andy Jerick, Augie and Margo
Angel: Who were some of the instructors back then?
Rios: There was Joe Vega, Millie Donay, Killer Joe, Cuban Pete
Angel: You're dancing again with your partner Mike Ramos. When did
you first start dancing together?
 Rios:
We started dancing together in 1958. Then Mike left a few years later
and danced for the Gran Combo for several years. I went my own way and
then in 1985, we got together again.
Angel: Were there any other dance teams that either you or Mike
belonged to?
Rios: Yes. Mike was a member of the Mambo Aces (with Anibal
Vazquez one of the original Mambo Aces) and I was a member of the
Cha-Cha Aces.
Angel: Freddie, how do you feel about the Salsa community today
and about the way the mambo is danced?
Rios: Naturally, it's great to see that the dance has again
generated interest all over the world. There are many great dancers. I'm
very happy to see many people of different cultures experiencing the
music and the dance. It has made a lot of progress internationally. I
would just like the next generation of dancers to know that they should
try to dance with more "feeling", "sabor" and "sentimiento". All those
turn patterns takes away from genuine feeling of the dance.
Angel: How did you hear about the now famous event called the
"Bacardi Congreso de La Salsa" (formally known as the World Salsa
Congress)
Rios: I heard it through Eli Irizarry (All Star Entertainment)
Quetcy Olmo and Angel Ortiz . They called me and asked me if I was
interested. I sent them a video. Angel Ortiz then asked me if I would be
interested in performing as part of the New York delegation to the
event. He was choreographing a dance number that would feature Mike and
I. We gladly accepted.
Angel: The 1998 World Salsa Congress was dedicated to the
Palladium Mambo Legends. How did you feel about that?
 Rios:
It was a wonderful experience for us. It was an honor for us to be there
and be recognized that way. We received many positive comments and it
was great to be able to experience this in front of a world audience.
Angel: Which TV shows have you appeared on?
Rios: Ed Sullivan, Sabado Gigante, Cristina, Sabado Al Medio Dia,
Like it Is, and various cable channels.
Angel: What's in the future for you and dance?
Rios: I'd like to travel more to teach. I would like to establish
a school for the public to go to and learn the dance. I'm also
interested in establishing a series of video tapes.
Angel: What are some of the types of dances people ask of you when
you travel?
Rios: I try to encourage people by introducing the Pachanga,
Cha-cha-cha, and the Mambo. People also should not forget about
footwork, keeping the rhythm, and technique. You should also know that
you could take the cha-cha-cha and learn this dance first as a precursor
to the mambo. The cha-cha-cha is very rhythmical and easy to learn. All
the above dances were done back in the 50's. It wasn't just mambo. On
occasion, when I'm away on travel, some people are surprised to see only
footwork since they were probably accustomed to just doing turn
patterns.
Angel: What's your view on how the mambo is danced here in New
York and in different areas of your travels?
Rios: I think that most people should remember to dance with
feeling. That seems to be missing in a lot of the young dancers here in
New York. I've also noticed that there are a lot of outside instructors
who visit New York and either take lessons or study with various
instructors. For example, I have served as an instructor to some of the
NY instructors. It's always a good idea to study with a variety of
instructors. There is always something a person can learn. But for the
most part, the mambo is danced with everyone's individual style. This is
what is so great about the mambo. You can take the same steps and
incorporate which ever style you like.
Angel: Looking at your resume, you've performed for various artists
such as Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Ed Sullivan, Johnny
Mathis, and Tony Bennett. What was that like?
Rios: There's the Apollo Theatre and the Paramount Theatre. We
were fortunate to perform for these individuals because most of them
used to go the Palladium and see Mike and I dance. The Palladium was
culturally mixed and all the famous celebrities used to go there (Sammy
Davis, Marlon Brando). So Mike and I were hired to open up shows. There
were a lot of great dancers and each had their own style.
Angel: For those who are interested in studying with you Freddie,
how can they contact you? Are you teaching private, group lessons
anywhere?
Rios: At the moment, I'm teaching private lessons. You can reach
me by emailing at Salsamundo or contact me in New York at (718)
457-4312.
Angel: In closing Freddie, what would you say to those out there
interested in dancing the mambo?
Rios: When it comes to dancing the mambo, lots of dancers today
are dancing very well but some are missing "sabor" and "sentimiento".
Dance what you feel and invent at the moment. Remove yourself from the
norm and be creative. Try to create your own style. Remember that turn
patterns are only one part of the dance. Incorporate body movements to
create a more complete picture and don't forget, through it all, HAVE
FUN!!!!
(Freddie Rios - the early years - on the right)
Additional publications:
El Diario
El Vocero July 1997
2nd Congress dedication 1998
San Juan Star newspaper July 23, 1998
El Nuevo Dia September 7, 1997 Congreso Mundial Caribe Hilton
El Especial newspaper November 25, 1992
Down Beat March 1997 article written by Larry Birnbaum Aaron Davis Hall
concert
Catskills performance
El Diario, October 9, 1992
The Ballroom Review
Aaron Davis Hall December 15, 1996- a concert celebrating the sidemen of
the Palladium Era, hosted by Felipe Luciano featuring, Alfredo
Armenteros, Graciela, Jimmy Sabater, Ray Santos (conductor/arranger)
Special Guest Tito Puente
"The dancers" |
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Angel Ortiz, New York 
