Longest career as a salsa artist

Celia Cruz was a leading salsa artist for 50 years and recorded over 50 albums. She began her career singing with Cuba's then leading band Sonora Matancera in 1950, before leaving Cuba permanently to pursue a career in the USA in 1960. She recorded some twenty gold LPs and has received more than 100 awards. Cruz died on 16 July 2003 aged 77 in Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA, after declining health following a brain tumour diagnosis.