Larry Harlow, El Judío Maravilloso, is Missing from the Fania Allstars Reunions in both New Jersey and in Miami, Florida, 2004
(August 7th and 8th, 2004) 

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Contracts are made to be broken, they say, but this one never even got signed. Months before the big event, Larry Harlow, El Judío Maravilloso, the original Fania All Star, sent a contract to the offices of Fania Records, with the conditions of his employment spelled out.

He wasn't asking for private Leer jets or an entourage of dozens of assistants. He was simply asking for a deposit to assure the date and a signed contract showing their commitment to paying him his regular fee and covering reasonable expenses.

For weeks Larry called and sent e-mails requesting the signed document and a check for the deposit. For weeks the folks at Fania Records told him different stories: sometimes Victor Gallo wasn't in town to sign the check, or he was out of the office, or any number of other excuses.

Then, just two days before the two big shows, Harlow received an e-mail stating that they would not honor the terms of his contract and that his name would be taken off of the advertising. They did not even have the common courtesy to call him and tell him personally. To add insult to injury, they have not removed his name from the advertising as promised.

To make matters worse, Larry had turned down other offers of employment in the meantime, while holding this date open, so he has now taken a financial loss as a result of Fania Records not following through on their promises to him.

SalsaPower has received several reports of Fania All Star fans turning in their tickets for refunds. After all, Larry was the very first artist signed to Fania and he produced many of the albums that the Fania Record Label put out. What is a Fania Reunion without Larry Harlow, the Judío Maravilloso? (Read more about Larry and his story here).

In a telephone interview with Larry Harlow on August 6th, 2004, he stated, "I feel personally very bad that I cannot play for Polito Vegas' 45th Anniversary at the Continental Arena in New Jersey. I want to apologize to my fans for not being there, due to the contractual problems with Spanish Broadcasting Systems, Fania and Ralph Mercado Productions. Polito Vega has helped our music over the last 45 years - he has been a big force in keeping our music alive."

Check back here for concert reviews of both the New Jersey and Miami Shows. We at SalsaPower will miss seeing Harlow up on those stages.

August 8, 2004, 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Fania All Stars
James L. Knight Center
Featured artists include: Larry Harlow, Alfredo De La Fé, Johnny Pacheco, Cheo Feliciano, Bobby Valentín, Papo Lucca, Roberto Roena, Adalberto Santiago, Ismael Miranda, Junior González, Yomo Toro, Leopoldo Piñeda, Rey Viera, Reynaldo Jorge, Jimmy Bosch, Hector Casanova, Jerry Medina, Wichie Camacho, Nicky Marrero, Eddie Montalvo, Bomberito Zarzuela, Piro Rodríguez, Jorge Torres, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz. Master of Ceremonies: Izzie Zanabria.
305-372-4633 for information.

This site last updated on 20-Feb-2005