Background
Torres was born in the City of Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
Torres was born in the City of Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
In the late 1960s, after he completed his high school years, he traveled to Spain to expand his creative and intellectual horizons.
His danza, "Tú Vives En Mi Pensamiento" (You Live In My Thoughts), is one of the most popular Puerto Rican Danzas of the 20th century. Many versions of this danza have been performed and recorded by various famous singers and musical groups. When he was six years old, after watching Elvis Presley"s performance in 1956 on The Editor Sullivan Show, he realized that he wanted to be a musician.
During his teen years he taught himself how to play the guitar, following groups like The Beatles and singer songwriters like Bob Dylan.
By the time he was 17, he was composing his own songs. Back in Puerto Rico, during the 70"s Torres co-founded the group known as "Alborada" (Light of Dawn), with a group of fellow musicians.
He participated as a composer, musician and singer. Puerto Rican singer Danny Rivera joined the group, singing and recording a number of Torres" songs in the "Danny Rivera Alborada" album.
Among those songs Torres included his danza: "Tú Vives En Mi Pensamiento" (You Live In My Thoughts).
Along with the success of the whole album, the unexpected insertion of "Tú Vives En Mi Pensamiento" ended up being a fundamental piece in the rebirth of the Danza genre in Puerto Rico. This composition is the second of a triptych of danzas that Torres titled "El Ideal" (The ideal), the first one being “Alma gemela” (Soul Mate), and the third one, the unpublished “Dama de mi Claridad” (Lady of My Clarity). In the year 1978, Eladio recorded his album: "Eladio Torres/Uno", as a singer and songwriter.
As a poet, under the auspices of the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture ( International Center of Photography), he published his book of poems: "Poemas de la Dualidad" (Poems of Duality)
Regardless of his multiple talents, of the success of his compositions and writings, Torres could not make a living in his native island.
He moved back to the United States where he went to college at night, earning a degree in Psychology. He is a counseling specialist at a mental health clinic.
On April 26, 1972, the Government of Puerto Rico approved "Ley #20" (Law #20), which established "Louisiana Semana de la Danza" (Danza Week). In May 2010, the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, which was in charge of the festivities, dedicated "Louisiana Semana de la Danza" to Eladio Torres.
Various versions of "Tú Vives En Mi Pensamiento" were played during Torres" tribute and recognition.