When you hear great salsa music, it is almost impossible to keep your body from moving to the beat. Even non dancers find themselves tapping their feet and bobbing their heads.

There is a passion in latin music that we just don't get in rock and roll, or hip hop, or country. It is in the clave, in the rhythm that hits something at our core and picks us off our feet.

There are so many latin bands now. But the below few have established themselves as salsa icons.

Celia Cruz

Known to many as the most influencial female figure in the history of cuban music. Celia Cruz was a Cuban salsa singer, and was one of the most successful Cuban performers of the 20th century, with twenty-three gold albums to her name. She was renowned internationally as the "Queen of Salsa," as well as "La guarachera de Cuba" You can hardly say salsa music nowadays without Celia Cruz coming to mind. One of the most popular songs being "La vida es un Carnival"

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

Commonly known as El Gran Combo, is a Puerto Rican Salsa music orchestra. It is Puerto Rico's most successful musical group, and one of Salsa's most famous groups across Latin America. Since many of the genre's legendary singers have been members of the orchestra, the band has been given the moniker La Universidad de la Salsa (The University of Salsa)

Oscar Emilio León Simoza

Better known as Oscar D'León is a Venezuelan musician who became internationally famous for his salsa music. In Spanish, he is known as El Sonero del Mundo ("the Improviser of the World"). His most famous song is perhaps "Llorarás,". Besides from being a great sonero, he is also showman who knows how to entertain people. He has more than 20 years experience in show business and has recorded 60 albums.A master of dynamics, D'León achieves an exquisite interplay between his lithe, lusty tenor and his trademark, typically Cuban, voz de vieja (old woman's voice) nasal chorus.

Frankie Ruiz

Jose Antonio Torresola Ruiz also known as "El Papa de la Salsa" made significant contributions to salsa music and specifically to the "salsa sensual" movement, also known as salsa romantica. He helped to revive salsa at a time when its popularity was on a downturn. Ruiz became one of the first idols youth related to because of his own young age, handsome good looks, and true singing ability. A good example of his talents is this song, Bailando from his Serie 32 release.

Hector Lavoe

Hector Lavoe also known as La Voz (the voice) is one of the greats of Salsa. His passionate demeanor was in every part of his life. He never did anything half way. This aspect of his personality shaped his music career. Hector possessed a talent comprised of many elements including, great voice, clear enunciation, marvelous phrasing, and lyrical interpretation. His quick whit and great sense of humor is evident in his tremendous ability to improvise or sonear. During live performances, he never sang a song the same way twice.