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Photos and Story by Steve
Grecco
 Each of us celebrated the life of Tito Puente in a private way. It's hard
not to reflect on Tito each time we hear the rim of a timbale. He was a man
who combined the "soul" of the street music with the showmanship
and finesse of the big band ballroom days. He aslo lent dignity to his culture,
music, and his instrument. Here was a man who, despite the tumultuous times
in which he lived, emerged unspoiled, friendly and humble.
LP Director of National Accounts, Steve Grecco, turns in this report of
a fitting tribute to Tito, one that appropriately sent a message fromthestreets.
In Steve's words:
"On my recent business trip to L.A., I stayed at the Hollywood Roosevelt
Hotel, which is across the street from the famous Chinese Theatre. Upon getting
out of the shower early in the morning, I heard what I thought was timbales.
As you can well believe, I dismissed the notion as unlikely. Then I heard
it again, more clearly: timbales, congas, bongos, and the unmistakable clang
of cowbells!
 "I
went to my window and opened the curtains. Below on the street were a bunch
of guys playing. I thought it was just a jam session and went about my day's
business.
"Later in the afternoon, upon returning to the Roosevelt, the sounds
were still going. I decided to take a walk and see what was going on. Something
in the intensity told me this was no ordinary jam session. In fact, it was
a memorial for Tito, right beside his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame."
For the few who haven't heard, the Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of a
series of stars embedded in cement representing actors, singers, musicians,
and other entertainment figures. Envisioned in 1958, the Walk of Fame is
a supreme honor and here Tito Puente is in good company.
Steve continues, " I found out that it was organized by Tito's longtime
friend, Tommie Martinez. Tommie held this event from the day Tito died right
through to the funeral -from early morning late into the night.
"Tommie
told me that he was doing this memorial for Tito to celebrate Tito's influential
role as mentor to all percussionists and, equally important, to stress
Tito's kind-heartedness and generosity to all he met."
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