Vega was born in the town of
Salinas, Puerto Rico. His family moved to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when he was three months old, and remained there until he was 10 years old, before moving to
Puerto Rico. He was born into a family of musicians so, therefore, he learned how to play the
bongos and
conga at an early age. In 1967, when he was 10 years old, he played the conga for a children's band called La Preferida. His family moved to
New York City in 1968. In New York, Vega continued to go to school. In his free time however, he played the conga for various local Latin rock bands including City Trash. Latin music was popular in New York during the 1970s and while Vega played the conga for Latin rock bands, he started to become more and more interested in the afroantillano style of music better known as
salsa. He listened to and was influenced by
Ismael Rivera,
Rafael Cortijo,
Rafael Ithier and
El Gran Combo. Vega started as a member of Orquesta La Preferida from 1971 to 1973. He was the primary conga player and sang on their chorus. One year when the school season ended his parents sent him on vacation to the United States for the two months of the school recess. Upon returning to Puerto Rico and back into the band, there was a replacement musician on the conga who had taken his place. It was suggested to Vega to go up front and try singing, as he had done chorus for the band quite well. Thus, his singing career was started. He remained with the band and recorded a 45 rpm record under the supervision of
Pijuan (Melon Records), who was the director of Pijuan y su sexteto. He also did come chorus while a member of the
Willie Rosario Orquesta with
Gilberto Santa Rosa on two songs recorded by the Orquesta La Preferida for the late promotor Ruben Haddock. His voice can be heard on the CD
Al fin contra viento y marea by La Preferida. ==La Selecta==