El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico formed around Rafael Ithier, who served as the band's founder, musical director, and primary composer. Jerry Rivas and Charlie Aponte were among the vocalists who helped shape their sound, with Aponte joining in 1973. Their catalog includes songs like 'Ojos Chinos' and 'Te Regalo El Corazón.'

In 1976, they released 'Brujería,' a track that became one of their most recognized works. The song's lyrics play with the idea of love as a kind of witchcraft, describing a man enchanted by a woman's charms. That same year, a performance in Venezuela was disrupted by protesters who objected to the band's approach to Puerto Rican culture.

Their discography spans over 40 studio albums, along with various singles and live recordings. Saxophonist Hector 'Banchy' Sanchez contributed as a musical arranger. The band's lineup has shifted over time, but Ithier's role as a central figure remained consistent through those changes.