West Delray Beach resident Galo Rivera is at the control on the engineer’s console at the Swing & Jazz concerts at the Spanish River Performing Arts Center the third Tuesday of each month that take place through April.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico 52 years ago he arrived in New York City when he was 15 years old. After graduating high school he attended the Recording Institute of America in New York City and at age 20 became recording engineer and record producer, as well as a song writer and guitarist.
In 1975 he co-wrote the song Yo se Que Lay un Dios, which translates in English to I Know There Is a God
and made a hit record of this number with the ATG Band. The disc was sold through stores that sell religious books, records, etc.
Recently Galo produced two CD’s of Spanish River church music. Not confined to only this genre, he also produced a CD for Novich’s Honkies Blues Band.
Today he plays his guitar specializing in Latin Rock music, inspired by world famous artist Carlos Santana. During the past six months his sextet recorded a song titled Neuve (Move) which has received extensive radio play in Miami, Texas, Central America and Spain. He and his sextet played a Latin Rock concert in Fort Myers, Fl. on this past February 8.
“Life is fun every day,” says 5’ 9” mustached and goateed Galo. “My 250 lbs. attest to my love of good food,” he says with a happy smile. “I like smoking a cigar in a quiet place; gives me time to think and create.