Full Name: Hermes Davide Fastino Croatto Martinis

Born: March 2, 1940, Attimis, Udine, Italy

Died: April 3, 2005, Carolina, Puerto Rico

Nickname: Tony Croatto

Tony Croatto was a beloved Italian-born Puerto Rican singer, composer, and cultural advocate, best known for his deep connection to Puerto Rican folk music and his passionate efforts to preserve and promote the island’s cultural heritage. His music career spanned several decades and left a lasting impact on Puerto Rican identity and nationalism.

Tony began his musical journey in Uruguay, where his family emigrated in his youth. He rose to fame in Latin America as part of the sibling trio Los TNT in the 1960s, alongside his brother Nelly and sister Tim. The group achieved international success with pop hits in Spanish-speaking countries. However, it was his later solo career and cultural work in Puerto Rico that defined his true legacy.

In the 1970s, Tony settled in Puerto Rico and fell in love with its people, language, and traditions. He embraced Puerto Rican folk music, particularly jíbaro and plena, and used his voice and compositions to celebrate the island’s rural roots and patriotic spirit. Songs like “Agüeybaná,” “Yo Habito una Tierra Luz,” and “Boricua En La Luna” became anthems of cultural pride.

More than a performer, Tony became a symbol of Puerto Rican cultural resistance, dedicating his life to educating younger generations about traditional music and the island’s indigenous and rural heritage. He often collaborated with schools and community groups, bringing traditional music to new audiences.

Though born abroad, Tony Croatto is remembered as a boricua de corazón—a Puerto Rican by heart. His contributions to Puerto Rican music and identity continue to resonate, and he remains a cherished figure in the island’s cultural history.