Born Alvaro Jose Arroyo Gonzalez, Colombian-born vocalist Joe Arroyo has become a legend in his native country and also throughout the world of salsa. Fusing his dance-inspiriing sounds of Caribbean music styles including salsa, compas, merengue, reggae and soca, Arroyo is a former member of leading salsa band, Fruko y sus Tesos. Later, in 1981, Arroyo continued to blend musical influences with his own group, La Verdad (The Truth).

Arroyo began his musical career at the young age of eight when he sang in a strip joint in his hometown of Cartagena. His first break came after he signed with record label, Discos Fuentes, in 1971, and was overheard by bass player, singer, composer and producer Ernesto Estrada, better known as Frugo, who recruited him for his band.

Arroyo continued to work with Frugo for the next decade. Although he nearly died from a drug overdose in the early '80s, Arroyo recovered and began to attract attention with his own group, La Verdad. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide