This show is dedicated to the memory of music
impresario Ralph Mercado, executive producer and
owner of the most influential latin record label of our
times.
Music impresario Ralph Mercado passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 4:30pm at Hackensack University Medical Center surrounded by his beloved family. Mercado passed after sustaining a two-year battle with cancer. Known as the most important promoter, manager and producer of Latin Music events for more than 30 years, Mercado was responsible for the careers of many in the salsa music world such as Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto, Marc Anthony, La India and many more. A visionary and innovator, Ralph Mercado opened many doors taking the popular New York music known as "salsa" all over the world staging global Latin music events as well as building a record label, publishing company, a video and film production arm, and a catalog of award-winning international hits that transformed the Latin music industry.