Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz

Sometimes known as the “Reyes de la Salsa” or “Los Embajadores de la Salsa”, this duo is formed in New York in 1963, by Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, both of Puerto Rican origins. They were involved in giving the name ‘Salsa’ to the musical movement of that Era, During an interview in a venezuelan radio station, where the DJ Phidias Danilo Escalona asked them how they called their musical blend. Richie Ray jokingly replied: Ketchup!, which after some consciousness, proceeded to announce and exclaim as: Salsa! And proceeded to play: Richie’s Jala Jala. The name spread in venezuelan airways and
sticked with fans. After the interview, fans started screaming Salsa! to the duo, which made Richie Ray adopt the catchy name, and branded their music like Salsa. The venezuelan groups also identified with the name and record labels like Discomoda’s DCM POP sublabel and Palacios, labeled the music as Salsa. The name spread to other countries and when the duo finally returned to play in Venezuela, they were labeled as “The Ambassadors of Salsa”, as they were one of the primary groups inspiring the younger generations and being modeled musically.
Also found as Richie & Bobby.