By Angel Galvan
What a coincidence! The 2018 Academy Awards have concluded with a plethora of Mexican nominations, Oscar awards, record setting milestones, and to some…either an awesome or a vulgar display of Mexican creativity. Now, just a few weeks later, talented Rock Mexicano artists have their sights on the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame. They are intent on knocking down the museum’s proverbial ’multicultural walls,’ with its preconceived ideas, stereotypes, and xenophobia. These are the same obstacles that inhibit the inclusion of exceptional Mexican artists into the Rock Hall Museum and an afterlife of longevity and bliss.
Mexicans and other Latinos do have an enormous amount of musical talent. But, it should be noted that brilliant cultural artists like Los Tigres Del Norte, Vicente & Alejandro Fernandez and Los Tres Gallos Mexicanos with their incredible musical styles like Mariachi, Cumbia, Banda, and Norteños come from an ethnic or world based musical format. Unfortunately, these genres and categories are mostly incompatible with the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame and their committee’s criteria for induction.
However! It’s very common to hear Mexican rock groups inject some Mexican passion into their songs.
These ethno-fusion rock pioneers with their visions and interpretations are transforming the rock musical landscape. Mexicans are fusing styles, cutting, remixing, mashing up songs and genres and redefining ‘Rock N’ Roll’ and America’s Pop Culture. In an ever evolving rock n’ roll universe, Banda, Cumbia, Mariachi and even Salsa are a few ethnic styles being incorporated into Rock music’s DNA. The vision that introduced this ‘Fusion Mexicano’ to America’s rock culture hasn’t gone unnoticed. It has impressed the Rock Hall committee and was one reason some of these pioneers were inducted into the museum.
Nevertheless, the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame is slow to recognize this ‘ethno paradigm shift.’ Paradoxically and yet predictably, this musical shift with its Mexican driven metrics will eventually overwhelm and, in the short term, be difficult to ignore. Equally germane, there are 50 million Mexicans in the US and 140 million in Mexico.
Subtract these 50 million from the US…the US population drops from 320 mil to 270 mil, while the Mexican population increases to 190 million. This Mexican demographic of 190 million is a substantial pool of musical talent to draw from, and is the catalyst fueling rock and pop culture’s paradigm shift.
Here are the numbers from a cultural talent pool and an adjusted demographic perspective: The U.S. – 270 million, Mexico – 190 million, Canada -36 million, Cuba -13 million and Puerto Rico – 10 million (Island’s 3 plus mainland 7). Regardless of Mexico’s large numbers there are far too few Mexican rock icon inductees gracing the rock hall museum’s exhibits today. Significantly, and even though small, the number of Mexican artists being nominated is on the rise and there are many more on the horizon.
Grammy winners, Ritchie Valens (Valenzuela), Santana (Carlos), Linda Ronstadt, Joan Baez, Jerry Garcia, Roberto Trujillo (Metallica) and Journey* have been accepted in the Pantheon of Rock. In addition Joan Baez, Los Lobos and Zack De La Rocha (Rage Against the Machine) are artists who have been nominated within the last two years. And, Joan Baez got the thumbs up and was inducted in 2017.
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Mexican Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame Nominee and Inductees
2018 Zack De La Rocha (Rage Against the Machine) Nominee – Not Inducted
Politically charged Funk, Hip-Hop and Metal group Rage Against the Machine gained much acclaim and a large following with talented and charismatic Mexicano Zack De La Rocha and amazing Tom Morello on guitar. Their electrified songs like “Bullet in the Head,” “Killing in the Name of,” and “Bulls on Parade” were mainstays on Radio, MTV and scored big with live performances at Woodstock 99, Lollapalooza 2008, and around the globe. Their music is still powerful and relevant today.
Zacharias (Zack) Manuel De La Rocha’s father, Robert “Beto” De La Rocha Beltran, was a muralist and a member of Los Four, the first Chicano art collective. Zach’s grandfather, Isaac De La Rocha Beltran, was a Mexican revolutionary who fought in the Mexican Revolution and worked as an agricultural laborer in the U.S.
2017 Joan Baez – Inducted
Joan Baez performed and gained admiration throughout her career but she garnered high visibility during the political 60’s and the Woodstock era. Her style crossed Rock, Folk, Gosper, Pop and Country. Joan regularly interpreted songs by artists like the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Allman Brother, Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder. This Mexicana is fluent in both Spanish and English, but also records in at least six other languages.
2017 Journey* — Inducted
Even though neither Gregg Rolie nor Neil Schon are Mexican, they are co-founders of Journey and both were members of Santana in its early years. Gregg Rolie helped found Santana and is a two-time Rock Hall Inductee, once for Santana and the second for Journey. Also, at one time, considered one of the top-five best rock guitarist in the world Neal Schon joined Santana at age 15. He later went on to help found Journey. Surprisingly, though, Carlos and Neil’s virtuosity was not often acknowledged. But their blistering guitar pyrotechnics, combined with Santana’s Mexican flavor, created Rock’s first multi-cultural super group – Santana. So, it was predetermined for Journey to be formed from this Mexican super group and from an entangled history with an immensely innovative Mexican. Santana and Journey, are now both in the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame.
2016 Los Lobos – Nominee – Not Inducted
Los Lobos’ history begins in 1973 till present, and they are still performing with members David Hidalgo, Louie Perez, Cesar Rosas, Conrad Lozano, Steve Berlin and Enrique Gonzalez. However, through their 45 year history there were some changes in their lineup. The Lobos brand of fusion includes Rock n’ Roll, Tex-Mex, Mexican, country, Zydeco, Folk, Blues, Brown-eyed Soul, Cumbia, Boleros and Norteños. Los Lobos have too many accolades to mention in just one article, but should and do deserve to be the next Mexican group to be nominated. Many people should remember their revitalized “La Bamba” song and its inspiring movie…
Los Lobos performed at the Music Box in Cleveland this past year. So, in one political and humorous moment, while talking with drummer Enrique “Bugs” Gonzales and the other band members, it was suggested that only one Mexican would be inducted into the Rock Museum regardless of the number of Mexican nominees. With Los Lobos being nominated, Bugs snapped, “There are way too many Mexicans!” the room immediately erupted into laughter. He continued, ‘apparently the Rock Hall doesn’t want too many Mexicans inducted so quickly.’ Los Lobos’ great sense of humor was on full display that evening.
2015 Los Lobos – 25 Year Eligible – Not Nominated
Correction! Los Lobos were eligible in 2015, but only nominated in 2016. March’s edition stated both years.
2014 Linda Ronstadt – Inducted
This Mexicana also has too many accomplishments to fit in this article. Linda Ronstadt is Mariachi, Mexican, Rock, Country, Folk, Jazz and more. Ronstadt performed mostly in English but recorded three Spanish language albums…the amazing “Canciones De Mi Padre” in 1987, “Mas Canciones” in 1991 and “Ferensi” in 1992. She won 11 Grammys including for “Canciones De Mi Padre” – Best Mexican-American Album and establishing a record for best-selling non-English-language album with over 2 million sold. Ronstadt also won Latin Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award by The Latin Recording Academy, 3 American Music Awards, 2 Academy of Country awards and an Alma Award.
Linda Maria Ronstadt recalled a frequent visitor, Eduardo “Lalo” Guerrero, father of Chicano music serenading her when she was young. In 1976, she collaborated with her father, Gilberto Ronstadt, to compose a traditional Mexican song, “Lo Siento Mi Vida.” Ronstadt performed ‘Canciones De Mi Padre’ on Broadway. Then, in 1991 she performed the lead role in La Pastorela, a musical filmed at San Juan Bautista, written and directed by Luis Valdez – from La Bamba in 1987, and more recently from ‘Coco’ in 2017 movie fame.
2009 Roberto Trujillo (Metallica) – Inducted
Metal music talent, Mexican Roberto Trujillo’s full name is Roberto Agustin Miguel Santiago Samuel Perez de la Santa Conception Trujillo Veracruz Batista. He performed Bass guitar for international superstars Metallica since 2003. Prior to Metallica, Roberto also performed with the Suicidal Tendencies, Infections Grooves, Black Label Society and with Ozzy Osbourne. Roberto Trujillo represents the diversity and talent of the many Mexicanos that perform regularly throughout different genres.
2001 Ritchie Valens (Richard Steven Valenzuela) – Inducted
Ritchie Valens was only 17 yrs. old when he passed in 1959. Ritchie was a self-taught guitarist and singing prodigy. His recording career lasted all but 8 months, but this Chicano was still able to change Rock in a big way. In this short period of time Valens fused a Mexican folk song with the rhythm and beats of rock and roll…it became a big hit in 1958, and it influenced generations – it was called “La Bamba.” He was the pioneer of the Chicano and Spanish-speaking rock movement. In 1987, ‘La Bamba’ was made into an American biographical film written and directed by Luis Valdez. ‘La Bamba’, in 2017, because of its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
1998 Santana* (Carlos Santana) – Inducted
Wow! Another Mexican with so much talent and accomplishments. Santana was born Carlos Augusto Aves Santana on July 20, 1947, Autlan de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico. Carlos relocated to San Francisco California and in 1966 formed the Santana Band. During these times Santana was immersed in and was part of a Chicano rock movement. But the bands breakout moment didn’t come till Santana performed “Soul Sacrifice” at the Woodstock festival in 1969. Since then Carlos has performed with many elite artists, at countless events, received numerous awards, and achieved many milestones…and, Santana is not finished yet! He is an inspiration to a new generation. Santana has recorded at least 24 studio albums and live recordings, compilations and collaborations…Latin rock, Blues rock, Psychedelic and Chicano rock are styles found in these recordings. Highlights include – Abraxas, Santana III, Caravanserai, Moon Flower, Supernatural with “Oye Como Va,” “Black Magic Woman,” “Smooth,” “Maria, Maria” and “Corazon Espinado.” And, so much more…
1994 Jerry Garcia* (Grateful Dead) – Inducted
Jerry Garcia was born and raised in San Francisco, California (Old Mexico) and just a few miles from the Mexican border. Jerry probably was considered Mexican by many non-Latinos even though Jose Ramon Garcia, his father, was born in Galicia, Spain. A large number of Mexicans have family dynamics similar to Mr. Garcia’s…and, just a few years back California was part of Mexico. Jerry Garcia was the guitarist, vocalist and writer for the Grateful Dead. They performed Psychedelic rock, Blues rock, Folk rock, Country rock, Jam rock, Bluegrass and Roots rock. Jerry and the Dead had many accomplishments and a large following. It was said that Jerry Garcia is the most recorded guitarist in history with more than 2,200 Grateful Dead concerts, 1,000 Jerry Garcia Band concerts and many studio sessions – about
15,000 hours of his guitar work were preserved for the ages. And there are three words that can best describe Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead’s large fan base – Fanatics or, “Dead Heads.”
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The 190 million Mexicans within or just south of the U.S. are a significant factor in understanding why the vast majority of the Hispanic nominees, inductees or next-in-line artists are Mexican. These numbers reveal only one reason, but certainly not for the lack of talent…Chile – La Ley, Colombia – Juanes, Panama – Rabanes, Cuba – Orishas and Puerto Rico – Puya are just a few talented Fusion artists that could easily compliment the current pool of Mexican inductees. But Mexican artists Los Lobos, Zack De La Rocha (Rage Against the Machine), El Chicano, Malo (Jorge – Santana’s Brother), Grupo Fantasma, Del Castillo, Ozomatli and possibly Selena (long shot) will probably be the next in line for induction into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame Museum.
This article is a follow up to the Vocero’s 2018 March article – “Mexican Rock Icons Santana, Mana, Café Tacuba, Molotov, Plastilina Mosh, Los Lobos, Ozomatli Cross the Border to Rock the Cleveland,” and the 2018 April article “Fusion Mexicano Dominates With Shape of Water 4 and Cle Coco’s 2 Oscars” – do these Rock n’ Roll and Cinematic Icon Mexicanos represent one hit wonders or an anomaly? Well, when you consider that there are 190 million Mexicans living in or next to the US, this question is rendered moot. Subsequently, it is with every Mexican milestone that these creative paisanos are contributing and reshaping the American Cultural landscape. And they are changing the negative narrative as this phenomenon continues to grow. These demographic numbers and milestones show that the future looks very good for the Latinos in general, but especially glowing for the Mexicano.
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Sidebar – With all due respect to the other Latinos and their countries…in current times, Mexicans are held in disdain and deliberately being targeted as subjects for deportations. They are being used to cultivate an anti-immigrant bias. And part of the strategy is to use selective statistics to create a false narrative and to brand an entire culture in a negative way. The wall on the border between Mexico and the US is a symbol that reinforces this current false narrative and is an insult to all immigrants, but especially to Mexicans. Consequently, in order to address and change this negative brand, Mexicans must discard the use of the ethnic neutral word ‘Hispanic.’ It empowers the collective but it neutralizes Mexican accomplishments. It is for this reason that this article, and the others mentioned above, have been written with a Mexican –specific platform. This is done as part of an effort to change the status quo and so Mexicans can regain control of their own narrative. And, from this platform all Hispanics and immigrants can still continue to benefit… They can use Hispanic or not – it’s their choice. But, Mexicanos have to speak up because silence is not an option.
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