Where Have the Rumbones Gone? (live, beach, food)

[chacho_keva]

I grew up in Puerto Rico as a teenager during the 70's. Yes, that was indeed a looong time ago as a co-worker recently remarked. From my perspective, it was a beautiful time in Puerto Rico's history. Sure, as in any era in any country's history, there was a bit of turmoil. Possibly, the most impacting political event at the time was the Cerro Maravilla incident. As I recall, two pro-independence activists were murdered by police at a communication station. The proponents were never arrested and supposedly had links to then Governor Carlos Romero Barceló.

That ugly stain aside, Puerto Rico's 1970's were both a sea and an oasis of beautiful rhythmic Salsa music. Go to Puerto Rico today and you will meet (as I have) teenage kids who can recite 70's Salsa songs verbatim. Without a doubt, the 70's music deeply permeated our minds and lives back in the day. Conjunto Libre, Puerto Rico All Stars, Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Mongo Santa Maria, Carlos "Patato" Valdés, Tico-Alegre All Stars, Charlie Palmieri, Fania All Stars, and on, and on. We danced, we sang, and PLAYED to their music. . .and this is where I begin to scratch my head.

Back in those days, not a month went by in which I failed to hear and/or participate in a Rumbón. For those of you not familiar with the term, a Rumbón is simply a gathering of people who play mainly percussion instruments (e.g., congas, bongos, timbales, etc.). While the percussionists play, others do the improvised singing (soneo) and others do the chorus (coreo). These rumbones would sometimes go on for hours until sunset, especially when they took place at the beach. Nothing was more fun than to gather with a group of people at the beach and partake of a day long Rumbón. Normally, a little booze got passed around. And there was never a lack of food, snacks or refreshments which were bought collectively, or as we called it, by via a serrucho. Simply stated, people pitched in cash and someone would volunteer to make a run somewhere for food and drinks.

Given all the fun we had at these events, and given young people's love for the music of that era, it surprises me to NOT come across Rumbones when I now visit Puerto Rico. I've visited Puerto Rico each year (sometimes twice/year) since 2004. I have yet to see, hear, or find one single Rumbón.

So, my question still remains. . .where have all the Rumbones gone?

[unPescador]

What you describe sounds like more of a gathering of friends than what is shown here but here is a little listen on youtube.

Rumbones de Plena - YouTube

[chacho_keva]

Thanks for the clip. We never played Plena during a Rumbón.

And BTW, although friends and acquaintances often did whow up, it was not a gathering of only friends. Many unknown perplo toook part in and enjoyed the moment. To follow is a marginal example of a true Rumbón:


Rumbon Callejero - YouTube

[chacho_keva]

This Rumbón was recorded in my hometown's plaza in 1980. Some of the congueros are friends or acquaintances of mine. Most times, these Rumbones happened spontaneously or with very little planning. One guy would show up at the plaza with one or two congas. Within a short time, others would show up with more instruments. People would chime in to do the chorus and singing. Great times that will never come again.


LA RUMBA EN VEGA ALTA PUERTO RICO 80 - YouTube

[mym]

times have changed. you dont hear parandas throughout the hills in christmas anymore either.

but at the same time it still there - one navidad we were leaving a bar in rincon and we broke out an impromptu 'bomba - ay que rica es' that must have brought the entire bar outside. the bombas werent as good as in years past as people dont have that much practice but it was still fun.

[KingAV]

A year round Rumbon is always waiting for you in ocean park beach every sunday. Exactly in the parking lot, front to the piraguas