Billy Pontoni

Who is Billy Pontoni?

Billy Pontoni, or Guillermo García, joined the Pedro Morales Pino conservatory in his hometown Cartago, Colombia as a child. Then he became one of the artists from the Youths Club in Radio Cartago, in which he made his first appearances as a singer. In 1966 he arrived to Bogotá searching for an opportunity. There he became a regular performer at the Club del Clan TV Show, where his name was changed to Billy. At 14 he signed a contract with the Grill El Caracol Rojo as lead vocalist.

After that he started working with the Tropibomba Orchestra. In early 1971 he toured the Americas, with Colombian folk singer Luis Ariel Rey. The same year he started working for the "Miramar" club. There he met Pacheco, a famous Colombian TV show host. Billy suggested to Pacheco using the last name Pontoni in honor of singer Rocky Pontoni and he agreed. Pacheco then introduced him as local idol Billy Pontoni at several TV shows.

Because of the surprising reception, CBS signed him as an exclusive artist.