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The impact of Rock ‘n’ Roll was not only musical; songs and styles often
acted as a means of social and economic interchange – between white and
black, rich and poor, north and south, men and women, immigrant and
native-born.
Unlike other rock traditions, Chicano rock also was a dialogue in two
languages, as well as two cultures. Lalo Guerrero’s musical parodies (“Pancho
Lopez,” to the tune of “Davy Crockett”) played on this. But younger artists
in the 50s and 60s rejected their parents’ Mexican and Latin music, finding
inspiration in African American and Anglo roots. |
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“We Belong Together” by Ritchie Valens . . . “La La La La
La” by the Blendell’s . . . “Queen of My Heart” by Rene and Ray . . .
“Farmer John” by the Premiers . . . “Hey, Senorita” by The Penquins . . .
“My Heart Cries” by the Romancers . . . “Tell Her She’s Lovely” by El
Chicano . . . “Together” by Tierra . . . “Pachuko Hop” by The Penquins . . .
and of course, “Land of 1000 Dances,” by Cannibal and the Headhunters. |
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After almost 30 years of musical dialogue, Chicano Rock found common ground
with 1990 Grammy Award-winning Los Lobos, the band that created a musical
meeting place for rock’s multicultural influences, including our
Spanish-language musical heritage. In 1987 Los Lobos recorded Ritchie
Valens’ 1958 hit “La Bamba,” bringing the history of Chicano rock full
circle. But the story of Chicano Rock ‘n’ Roll is far from over.
Although, like the Latino community itself, the musical tastes of Chicano
audiences are both more varied and assimilated, new artists such as
Quetzal and Ozomotli are at work. Chicano rappers like Kid Frost chronicle the
community today. And “oldies” still have their emotional hold. At the
same time, during the 1990s music in the United States took new directions
with “Rock en Español,” signaling a significant shift in America’s
multifaceted musical identity. Rock en Español is rock ‘n’ roll created and
sung in Spanish. Performed and appreciated not in Mexico or Latin America,
but in the United States.
As we’ll see,
CHICANO ROCK
is not only a story of America’s musical
past, it will offer hints of our future. |
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