I Would Just Like to Be Remembered as Someone Who Used His Gift to Bring a Little Joy to the World”: The ‘America’s Tenor’ Daniel Rodríguez Reflects on 9/11 and His Career

Twenty-five years after 9/11, New York tenor and former police officer looks back on how his voice comforted a grieving nation.

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By Saida Pagán, @SaidaPagan

In the weeks and months following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, New York City police officer Daniel Rodríguez became a beloved and seemingly ever-present symbol of American resilience. Singing about patriotism and faith, Rodríguez uplifted and consoled a grieving nation with the sound of his voice.

As authorities raced to find answers as to why two planes that had destroyed the World Trade Center in New York, a third plane had hit the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and a fourth, hijacked plane had crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Rodríguez, a first responder who had initially been deployed to Ground Zero, was soon reassigned, and asked to serve his country in a different way.

“I knew the call was going to come in, and it did,” Rodriguez remembered.

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*Daniel Rodriguez listens to speakers at a public event shortly after September 11, 2001. Courtesy Daniel Rodríguez*

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Already widely known at the NYPD as a classically trained tenor, Daniel Rodríguez was seen as a stately figure, representing “New York’s Finest” in the aftermath of the deadliest terrorist attacks in American history that had claimed nearly 3,000 lives.

The 37-year-old Brooklyn-born son of Puerto Rican parents was quickly dubbed the “Singing Policeman.” Rodríguez became known as a popular and respected member of the department’s rank and file, as well as a devoted husband and father, epitomizing emotional strength and grace under pressure. His stirring renditions of “God Bless America,” “America the Beautiful” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” brought him accolades from across the nation and around the world.

“The police commissioner - [and the others] - I guess they all really saw the potential, a police officer in uniform out there singing at all these events,” Rodríguez surmised.

In fact, his singing was so well received that before long Rodríguez was invited to perform on top-rated network programs and at several high-profile live events throughout the United States.

“I was on speed dial with the White House, with the governor, with the mayor’s office,” Rodríguez recalled. “One day I’m on Oprah. The next day I’m on Letterman. The next day I’m on Larry King and Regis … It snowballed from there.”

Although it was the 9/11 tragedy that first brought Daniel Rodríguez international fame, he is quick to point out that he had been singing professionally since childhood and was born into a family with strong roots in traditional Puerto Rican music.

“My cousins all played guitar or percussion. I grew up with the joy of music, at Christmas, there were the aguinaldos,” Rodríguez explained. “My father had a great voice. My grandfather had a beautiful tenor voice. My first real music lessons, my first understanding of how to sing these songs, came from dad, my grandpa and my uncles.”

*Daniel Rodriguez performs with his wife, soprano Marla Kavanaugh. Courtesy Daniel Rodríguez*

Rodríguez says it was these experiences plus hard work and dedication to his craft that ultimately prepared him for the unexpected role he was destined to play.

“I knew my responsibility, and I felt the weight of what I needed to do and how I needed to do it. I knew I had to be strong,” Rodríguez said.

“It was not easy,” he continued. “But that’s who I am. My life is music, and my music is based on my faith.”

Along the way, Rodríguez’s acclaim as a singer caught the attention of opera superstar Plácido Domingo, who asked him to come in for an audition.

“That was amazing. I went that morning with my piano player, and I started singing ‘Be My Love,’ Rodríguez said. “And I get to the big note and at that point… Plácido walks through the door. It was surreal.”

Domingo was so impressed that he accepted Rodríguez into his young artists program in Washington, where Rodríguez studied for several months.

After that, his career took off. Offers for lucrative singing engagements began pouring in, and with the blessing of the New York City Police Department’s top brass, Rodríguez says he eventually left the police force to pursue music full time.

“I miss the camaraderie,” Rodríguez answers when asked how he feels about leaving the NYPD. “I miss the people because they were such a huge part of my life…[I formed] friendships that are going to last forever. But music is what I do, and I’m going to keep doing that.”

These days Daniel Rodríguez, the former “Singing Policeman,” is known as “America’s Tenor” for the themes of patriotism that run through his performances. He has found considerable success, and is currently booked through 2028, concertizing as both a solo artist and as one of three members of The New York Tenors, singing everything from Broadway tunes to traditional opera. Rodríguez has also recorded several albums in multiple languages, including Spanish, and is working on a book and podcast.

On this, the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Daniel Rodríguez sat down for an exclusive interview with palabra contributor Saida Pagán for this article and for her YouTube show, American Stories with Saida Pagán.

Rodríguez reflects on the responsibility he was given to help keep the country strong and united following September 11th, and why the events of that day are never far from his mind.

The questions and responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.

*"America's Tenor," Daniel Rodriguez at a recent performance. Courtesy Daniel Rodríguez*

palabra: Where were you and what were you doing on September 11, 2001?

Rodriguez: I was coming across the Verrazano Bridge [from Staten Island to Brooklyn]. I saw what looked like ashes crossing the center of the span. As I looked to my left, I saw that the first tower was already burning…I went to 1 Police Plaza, and started walking toward City Hall, where we had a mobile command post set up…and it wasn’t long after that, that the first tower came down.

We went inside, closed off the vents, and brought in as many people as we could…I didn’t think of anything else but surviving and helping those we knew had just lost their lives or were trapped.

I made my peace with God that day several times.

palabra: How did you come out of it alive?

Rodríguez: I don’t know, just by the grace of God. We were outside, covered with ash. We actually went to Ground Zero when the second tower came down. Building 6 [also] came down, and I remember watching the glass shatter…and again watched a cloud of ash devour everything. Then we just got to work.

palabra: At what point were you asked to use your talent as an opera singer to unite America?

Rodríguez : From the time I graduated from the Police Academy [in 1996], I was known as a singing policeman…and by the time 9/11 came, I was singing.

[Besides the TV shows, there were] the funerals. I’m still singing for first responders who are dying of [different] cancers…It never stops.

palabra: Do you believe that the cancers were related to 9/11?

Rodríguez: Oh, yeah. I had brain surgery in 2016 from what I inhaled. I had polyps in my sinuses and an infection in my upper sinus that was so aggressive it actually ate through the bone. There are so many first responders who have come down with the same cancers, the same lung issues, the same blood issues.

palabra: You will be forever remembered as a very important part of the 9/11 event. What are your thoughts?

Rodríguez: I would just like to be remembered as someone who used his gift to bring a little joy to the world, to leave it a little better than I found it, to acknowledge that the gift comes from God. The gift is not mine. It’s mine to give away. It really belongs to those who listen to me, to those who come out and experience what I have to offer.

To hear Daniel Rodríguez sing and learn more about his incredible story of survival as an eyewitness to the terrorist attacks, as well as his impressive rise from humble beginnings as a cab driver, postal worker, and police officer to being called “America’s Tenor,” watch the full interview on American Stories with Saida Pagan.