Joe Bataan
Joe Bataan Interview
Phone interview
December 14, 2021
By Maja Rios
Worked at “Millions” of Discotheques + www.djsportal.com – No 1 disco & deejay history website worldwide
The following is from a Phone interview, I did with one of my musical heroes, King of “Latin Soul”, Joe Bataan, who since the 1960’s has performed and recorded many original songs along with some covers, which reflect his Harlem roots: salsa, soul, boogaloo, disco, doo-wop, R&B and more.
Maja Rios: How did you get started as a vocalist and songwriter?
JB: On the streets of New York Barrio. Also I listened to the radio, especially “Anglo” popular musicians like Perry Como, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, I would imitate all vocalists. I would listen to all styles. My style grew to blend them all together.
At 9 years old, I began singing in the glee club in school, but a teacher told me “You sing like a frog, try something else”. Even with his hurting my feelings’ that did not deter me. I had no formal training, but began composing and singing by ear. I wrote songs using only a few chords on piano, which I would change the order around to write different songs. I learned by trial and error. “Mine is a Cinderella Story”.
M.R.: Did you invent the term “Latin Boogaloo” for your style of music?
J.B._ No. It was already a term used by Joe Cuba and Ray Baretto. I prefer the term “Latin Soul”, because people can relate to that better.
MR: Why do you think “Latin Soul” style was not as popular in the Midwest as New York?
JB: The style was basically “Underground New York” (played mostly by Blacks and Latinos). We had no good distribution for our music. Later on the style caught on with Chicanos (Mexicans) in the Los Angeles area, where it still is popular today.
My 1980 hit “Rap-O-Clap-O” was an early rap/hip-hop style which caught on in Europe, but not in the U.S. so much.
Even today my music is more popular in other areas of the world; Europe, Asia, South America.
MR: Do you have a favorite song you have written?
JB: Yes, “Ordinary Guy”.
MR: That was the first song I heard by you. “I love it.”, It was my introduction to Joe Bataan!
It reflects Joe’s Afro- Filipino heritages. “I am just a ordinary guy”, Afro- Filipino average sort of guy, you left behind.”
MR: What do you think of todays popular music?
JB: Well the songs were more fresh back in the day. Bands competed at shows; more originality were shown. The history of music is not embraced today. Radio stations are mostly “Anglo-owned, so radio doesn’t reflect all the styles of music in many areas of the U.S.
MR: Is the music (Latin Soul) marginalized you think?
JB: Yes
MR: I agree. I think it still is. You don’t hear much jazz, Latin, soul, doo-wap on mainstream media (radio or tv). Mostly country, rap or rock or watered down pop songs.
MR: Who are your favorite contemporary artists?
JB: Bruno Mars. I love Bruno. Also Joey Quinones, Esmeralda Spaulding, and H.E.R.
MR: Yes Bruno, is very multi-cultural like yourself.
Any comments on closing?
JB: “Nothing is possible without the Big Boss. And I’m not finished yet. I have a new CD in the works and a book about my life, I’m working on.
MR: I would love to see your band “live”. It has been nice chatting with you and I hope to see you playing soon in Chicago, when the pandemic dies down.
