rodríguez was born in santurce, puerto rico. his father was from the dominican republic and his mother from cuba. his older brother, johnny rodríguez was a popular singer and composer, who inspired the younger rodríguez to become a musician. in 1936, 13-year-old rodríguez joined the group of ladislao (el maestro ladí) martínez, "conjunto de industrias nativas", as a singer. when he was 16 years old, he participated in a recording with the renowned cuarteto mayarí. in 1940, rodríguez moved to new york city shortly after his parents, josé and severina, died. he went to live with his brother johnny, who had been living there since 1935.