The following interview is of Mr. Freddie Rios (on the right above). His partner, Mike Ramos was not available at the time of this interview

Born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Freddie Rios started dancing at a very young age. He is one of those individuals who experienced the era of the Palladium (1950's) when the Mambo was the craze. Wednesdays was "the" night at the famous Palladium located in New York City where you would find celebrities like Marlon Brando, Sammy Davis, Jr. Bill Cosby and others. They were all fans of the music and the dance. It was here that Freddie Rios "educated" himself in the mambo. Listening to the masters like Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez and Machito, Freddie found himself in the best "school" there was. It would not be long before Freddie and Mike would be named "The Palladium Mambo Legends".

Most people don't perform the Cha-cha-cha as much as the mambo. The Cha-cha-cha happens to be a favorite dance of Freddie Rios. He has revived the famous "Cha-cha Taps" number he and Mike Ramos created. We all know that tap dancing has been around for a very long time but it was Freddie and Mike who placed the "taps" into a cha-cha-cha. In fact, the year was 1958 when they first performed this number for channel 13, WATV-Newark New Jersey for the "Perucho Show". Since then, they have performed the number all over the world.

Freddie Rios shows the versatility of the mambo and the love for the dance through his performances. He has performed in the best nightclub clubs of New York City as well as having appeared on T.V.'s "The Christina Show" and "Sabado Gigante". He also appeared as a principle dancer in the major motion picture "Carlito's Way".

When most people would consider retiring, Freddie travels internationally to share his love of the dance. Most recently, and as part of the Bacardi Salsa Congress World Tour 1999, Freddie Rios introduced the cha-cha taps in India for the first time. While there, he performed in the cities of Goa, Calcutta, New Delhi, and Bangalore. We are grateful that Mr. Freddie Rios is alive, well, and sharing with us the dance that people from all walks of life have come to embrace and enjoy.

The following interview took place in New York City 1999. We didn't know it at the time but when we finished the interview and walked outside, I noticed where we were. Without planning, we found ourselves one block away from where the original Palladium stood - 53rd St Broadway Enjoy the following interview.

Angel: Where were you born Freddie?

Rios: I was born in Puerto Rico in a town called Vega Baja

Angel: As a child, when did you begin listening to music?

Rios: When I was young, I use to watch the Fred Astair, Gene Kelly, and The Nicholas Brothers movies. I used to listen to the music of Perez Prado and this all inspired me. Watching the Nicholas Brothers gave me the idea of dancing in pairs (2 people). From there I also came up with the idea of the cha-cha taps.

Angel: Do you recall your first dance steps as an adult?

Rios: The first time for me was at a place called "The Tropicana" which was located on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. From 1951-52, I recall going there and hearing Tito Puente a number called "El Baile del Pinguino" (The Penguin Dance) There was also the popular "Babarabatiri". I remember that in those days you always found yourself dancing because of all the percussion solos and the music just compelled you to dance. Today, there is a lot of Salsa Romantic music. I learned how to dance by following the sounds of the conga. (Freddie verbally sounds the tumbao rhythm) The dance at the time was danced from the heart and you didn't really need to count. Commercialism brought about the counting that we here these days.

Angel: How did the name Palladium Mambo Legend come about?

Rios: The idea was both Mike Ramos and I and since back then the Palladium was happening, well, the name stuck.

Angel: What was it like listening to the music in the early days?

Rios: It was a fever to go dancing. The Palladium was open Wednesdays through Sundays. The days I didn't go dancing, well, I would be upset because it was such a fever to go dancing in those days. Everyone from all walks of life would go to the Palladium to dance. Much like today, you found people from all nationalities enjoying the music and the dance.

Angel: Who were some of the Artists playing at the time?

Rios: The best were there. Machito, Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Noro Morales, Gran Combo, Joe Cuba. One of my favorites is Tito Puente.

Angel: Who were some of the dancers you admired during the Palladium era?

Rios: Cuban Pete, Anibal Vasguez, Andy Jerick, Augie and Margo

Angel: Who were some of the instructors back then?

Rios: There was Joe Vega, Millie Donay, Killer Joe, Cuban Pete

Angel: You're dancing again with your partner Mike Ramos. When did you first start dancing together?

Rios: We started dancing together in 1958. Then Mike left a few years later and danced for the Gran Combo for several years. I went my own way and then in 1985, we got together again.

Angel: Were there any other dance teams that either you or Mike belonged to?

Rios: Yes. Mike was a member of the Mambo Aces (with Anibal Vazquez one of the original Mambo Aces) and I was a member of the Cha-Cha Aces.

Angel: Freddie, how do you feel about the Salsa community today and about the way the mambo is danced?

Rios: Naturally, it's great to see that the dance has again generated interest all over the world. There are many great dancers. I'm very happy to see many people of different cultures experiencing the music and the dance. It has made a lot of progress internationally. I would just like the next generation of dancers to know that they should try to dance with more "feeling", "sabor" and "sentimiento". All those turn patterns takes away from genuine feeling of the dance.

Angel: How did you hear about the now famous event called the "Bacardi Congreso de La Salsa" (formally known as the World Salsa Congress)

Rios: I heard it through Eli Irizarry (All Star Entertainment) Quetcy Olmo and Angel Ortiz . They called me and asked me if I was interested. I sent them a video. Angel Ortiz then asked me if I would be interested in performing as part of the New York delegation to the event. He was choreographing a dance number that would feature Mike and I. We gladly accepted.

Angel: The 1998 World Salsa Congress was dedicated to the Palladium Mambo Legends. How did you feel about that?

Rios: It was a wonderful experience for us. It was an honor for us to be there and be recognized that way. We received many positive comments and it was great to be able to experience this in front of a world audience.

Angel: Which TV shows have you appeared on?

Rios: Ed Sullivan, Sabado Gigante, Cristina, Sabado Al Medio Dia, Like it Is, and various cable channels.

Angel: What's in the future for you and dance?

Rios: I'd like to travel more to teach. I would like to establish a school for the public to go to and learn the dance. I'm also interested in establishing a series of video tapes.

Angel: What are some of the types of dances people ask of you when you travel?

Rios: I try to encourage people by introducing the Pachanga, Cha-cha-cha, and the Mambo. People also should not forget about footwork, keeping the rhythm, and technique. You should also know that you could take the cha-cha-cha and learn this dance first as a precursor to the mambo. The cha-cha-cha is very rhythmical and easy to learn. All the above dances were done back in the 50's. It wasn't just mambo. On occasion, when I'm away on travel, some people are surprised to see only footwork since they were probably accustomed to just doing turn patterns.

Angel: What's your view on how the mambo is danced here in New York and in different areas of your travels?

Rios: I think that most people should remember to dance with feeling. That seems to be missing in a lot of the young dancers here in New York. I've also noticed that there are a lot of outside instructors who visit New York and either take lessons or study with various instructors. For example, I have served as an instructor to some of the NY instructors. It's always a good idea to study with a variety of instructors. There is always something a person can learn. But for the most part, the mambo is danced with everyone's individual style. This is what is so great about the mambo. You can take the same steps and incorporate which ever style you like.

Angel: Looking at your resume, you've performed for various artists such as Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Ed Sullivan, Johnny Mathis, and Tony Bennett. What was that like?

Rios: There's the Apollo Theatre and the Paramount Theatre. We were fortunate to perform for these individuals because most of them used to go the Palladium and see Mike and I dance. The Palladium was culturally mixed and all the famous celebrities used to go there (Sammy Davis, Marlon Brando). So Mike and I were hired to open up shows. There were a lot of great dancers and each had their own style.

Angel: For those who are interested in studying with you Freddie, how can they contact you? Are you teaching private, group lessons anywhere?

Rios: At the moment, I'm teaching private lessons. You can reach me by emailing at Salsamundo or contact me in New York at (718) 457-4312.

Angel: In closing Freddie, what would you say to those out there interested in dancing the mambo?

Rios: When it comes to dancing the mambo, lots of dancers today are dancing very well but some are missing "sabor" and "sentimiento". Dance what you feel and invent at the moment. Remove yourself from the norm and be creative. Try to create your own style. Remember that turn patterns are only one part of the dance. Incorporate body movements to create a more complete picture and don't forget, through it all, HAVE FUN!!!!

(Freddie Rios - the early years - on the right)

Additional publications:

El Diario
El Vocero July 1997
2nd Congress dedication 1998
San Juan Star newspaper July 23, 1998
El Nuevo Dia September 7, 1997 Congreso Mundial Caribe Hilton
El Especial newspaper November 25, 1992
Down Beat March 1997 article written by Larry Birnbaum Aaron Davis Hall concert
Catskills performance
El Diario, October 9, 1992
The Ballroom Review
Aaron Davis Hall December 15, 1996- a concert celebrating the sidemen of the Palladium Era, hosted by Felipe Luciano featuring, Alfredo Armenteros, Graciela, Jimmy Sabater, Ray Santos (conductor/arranger) Special Guest Tito Puente
"The dancers"