Image of Marc Anthony by White House photographer Peter Souza.
Born Marco Antonio Muniz, Anthony is the top-selling salsa artist of all time. It’s quite a record for a guy born into a “lower-class” New York City neighborhood.
With his vitality, talent and smooth demeanor, it’s no surprise he has garnered three Grammy Awards and nine Latin Grammys while selling more than 12 million albums worldwide.
Yet, Anthony tries to take all of this in stride. Here, the multi-talented Marc Anthony opens up to us about his personal life.
Q: You are most recognized for your music and the passion your voice brings to the lyrics and notes. Tell me about your childhood and the musical influences.
A. Music and various artists become a part of your life. It’s almost like the soundtrack of my life. Music has always been the one constant. Growing up, I would call it the stereo system wars.
When you’re born and raised in the projects in East Harlem – as I was – on Fridays and Saturdays, everybody shows off their sound system. They turn their speakers out onto the courtyard.
Ruben Blades blaring over here; Marvin Gaye blaring out of here; Hector Lavoe over here … Jose Feliciano … you don’t realize the impact all this has on you because it’s just playing in the background.
My thing is music, period. And when it comes down to it, there is a story connected with each and every one of those songs played.
Q. What’s one of those stories?
A. I can play a song and say “Oh my God. That’s my mom’s sweeping song, bro.”
My mother would not clean the house unless a Lavoe song was playing, and I had a story for each and every one. It was like “Wow, music has a profound impact on my life.”
I’m sure it seeped into my style some way, somehow. How could it not, you know? I mean from Willie Colon to Air Supply – music always tells a story. I can remember when my father and I would sing “El Zorsal” together at parties.
Q. Actually Hector Lavoe, who you played in El Cantante, opposite your then wife, led a very public life. Now that you are in the public eye more than you might want, how do you reflect on his life and yours right now?
A. Being a performer and knowing what’s said about you versus the truth are parallels. A lot of colorful, flamboyant stories of him out there and I guess me, too. I wish my life was as interesting as his, you know what I mean?
I’m living a life right now in the papers and then there’s the truth. You know what I mean? I’ve heard that I had an affair with a flight attendant, a pilot, a guy sitting next to me in a rehab in Houston. I’ve heard it all …
