Hall of Fame

Pedro Fernandez (2007)

Born in Guadalajara in 1969 as Jose Martin Guevas Cabos, Pedro made his acting debut at the age of nine in the movie La Nina de la Mochila Azul, in which he also sang the theme song. He changed his name to Pedro Fernandez by combining the names of the two musicians he admired most - Pedro Infante and Vincente Fernandez. A world-wide music star, Mr Fernandez has also acted in many Mexican films and soap operas. He has recorded a variety of music - ranchera, pop ballards and mariachi. In 2003 he received the Latin Grammy award and in May 2006 performed at the White House during Cinco de Mayo.

Rocio Durcal (2006)

Rocio Durcal’s life is a fantastic story of an entertainer whose dedication to song became embraced by fans worldwide. It was specifically her ranchero style that made her a household name. She sang in several other styles — pasodobles, cumbias, tangos and even rock - yet rancheras were the heart and soul of her repertoire. It is that passion that makes her this year’s nomination for the Mariachi Hall of Fame.

Rocio came to be popular via movie stardom and eventually her musical notoriety outshined her film acclaim although she was an accomplished actress. At the age of 17, María de los Angeles De Las Heras Ortíz began working as Rocio Dúrcal, a name taken from a Spanish province. Her movie Canción de Juventud was the first of many musical comedies she starred in. In 1970, Rocío married the Philippine singer and composer Antonio Morales a.k.a. Júnior, former member of the Pop musical group "Los Brincos," who were considered the Spanish version of The Beatles. Theirs was one of the most solid marriages of their time.

Although the star hailed from and lived in Spain, her collaborations with Mexican singer-composer Juan Gabriel, the person who prompted her to sing ranchero in the 1970s, thrust her into the limelight. And her recordings with Mariachi America de Jesus Rodriguez de Hijar were unprecedented smash hits, not only in Spain and Mexico but also in Latin America and with the Hispanic community of the United States. The music world will miss her, one of the more brilliant stars of Spanish-language show business.

Lalo Guerrero (2005)

A hero to many Hispanic musicians Lalo Guerrero sang all forms of Mexican and Latin music and his career spanned six decades. Dubbed “The Father of Chicano Music,” Lalo, a native Tucsonan, left an impression on the hearts of many. Even the heritage of mariachi felt the creative power of his spirit. As part of the Tucson International Mariachi Conference, Lalo performed many of his most famous tunes for our audiences and students.

Lalo Guerrero grew up in Tucson in the area called Barrio Viejo, the part of town that now includes the Tucson Convention Center. He began playing and writing music in Tucson in his teens and from there he created a repertoire of songs that spanned his life and experiences.

Rebecca Gonzales (2004)

Rebecca Gonzales was raised in San Jose, California and as a young girl was learning and playing classic violin in a youth symphony. It was in these younger years she was drawn to mariachi music. In 1972, Rebecca Gonzales played with Mariachi Los Abajeños in San Jose, and in about a year she moved south to Los Angeles and started performing with Mariachi Uclatlán.

In 1975 Rebecca’s career took off and she became the earliest known female to perform with a traditionally all-male mariachi show group in the United States. She was the first “Campera” (the female version of a Campero), from Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano. With Nati Cano as director, Rebecca is credited for being the reason that the standard “look” of a female mariachi has a “traje de charro,” a full-length skirt. The first one created was tailored for Rebecca.

As Rebecca said in an interview about the changes in mariachi, “I think people enjoy seeing women perform,” she says, “It’s something new and unique.” Thanks to pioneers like Rebecca Gonzales, now female mariachi musicians abound and many mariachi groups are all female. In what was traditionally an all-male genre, this shift in mariachi helped create a more diverse sound and enhanced the pleasure of mariachi for all of us.

Los Changuitos Feos De Tucson (2004)

Los Changuitos Feos De Tucson, “Tucson’s Ugly Little Monkeys,” was founded in the summer of 1964 by a musically talented priest under the sponsorship of the Catholic Youth Organization of All Saints Parish in Tucson. This group of boys started out playing for church functions and local events and before long they were traveling throughout the United States and Mexico. In 1970, Mayor Lew Davis proclaimed June 13th as “Los Changuitos Feos Day” in the city of Tucson. In 1971, some of the original members left the group to start Mariachi Cobre and so Los Changuitos Feos recruited new local talented youth and continued as strong as ever.

The group incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1981 with the mission of this organization to develop members’ artistic talent and social maturity; to instill self esteem and pride in music, language and culture; to develop a sense of community; to entertain and bring joy of spirit to others; and to provide college scholarship support to graduating members. The group has traveled and participated in many mariachi conferences, winning several competitions. They have been invited to Washington, DC several times, most recently to participate in the 1997 Inauguration Parade for President Clinton. The current Los Changuitos Feos group, a mixture of both boys and girls, has been together since July 2002 and they range in ages from 11 to 18 years.

At the 2004 Tucson International Mariachi Conference Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson celebrated their 40th anniversary; 40 years of promoting local children’s talents, 40 years of giving the gift of entertainment and sharing the tradition of mariachi, and 40 years of spreading good will about the Hispanic culture.

Laura Sobrino (2004)

Laura Sobrino is credited with being the first musical director of the first all female mariachi show group in the U.S., Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles. And she’s not only a part of the famous Mariachi Mujer 2000, she is also the originator of the group. Those accomplishments alone are enough to gain her “pioneer” status, but there’s more. Laura is recognized as the second woman in the United States to become a professional mariachi musician. She was also the first woman to play with the legendary Mariachi Los Galleros de Pedro Rey and with Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez.

Her mariachi life started in 1978 when she moved from Santa Cruz, California to Los Angeles in order to write her thesis on the mariachi violin style. She did finish her thesis but once in Los Angeles she was overcome by the spirit of mariachi and became involved in performing.

But there’s another side to this wonderful performer that ensures her legacy…she is said to have taught more youth to play mariachi music than any other mariachi musician in the United States. In addition to all this, Laura co-authored an online “History of Women in Mariachi Music,” which is the first documentation of women's participation in mariachi in both the U.S. and Mexico. Laura Sobrino has accomplished much for mariachi and women involved in the music.

Jose Ronstadt (2003)

Jose is a native of Nogales, Sonora and now resides in Los Angeles where he anchors the news for KHYT, Telemundo. Described as “a man who uses wit, enthusiasm and knowledge to make things happen,” Jose is very well known in the Latino community not only for his television background, but for his long activism on behalf of Hispanic causes. Many of the television shows that he has hosted have had an advocacy and informational emphasis.

Rafael Zamarripa (2002)

Rafael Zamarripa’s name is synonymous with Folklórico dance, art, and the word “legend.” The group he founded, Grupo Folklórico de Guadalajara, set a standard and created what would be known as traditional Folklórico dance. As founder of this group and director of Grupo Folklórico de las Universidad de Colima, Zamarripa travels the world participating in and lending his insight to international festivals and Folklórico dance education. He was the artist and creator of “the” costume guide to traditional Folklórico dancing called Trajes De Danza Mexicana with illustrations of his own that detail the costumes of folklórico.

Lola Beltran (2001)

“La Reina de la Musica Ranchera” mesmerized audiences throughout the world performing not only for the masses but also for global leaders. Lola Beltran recorded a number of gold records, and produced and acted in films throughout her life. She died in 1998.

Pedro Infante (2001)

Credited with bringing Bolero Ranchero into prominence, Pedro Infante recorded hundreds of songs and starred in dozens of films. More than 40 years after his death in a 1957 plane crash, this idol, from Sinaloa, Mexico, is still widely popular.

Juan Mendoza "El Tariacuri" (2001)

A favorite from Michocan, Mexico, “El Taracuri” is known for founding the trio “El Trio Taracuri” with two of his brothers and later a duo with a sister.

Javier Solis (2001)

Often referred to as “The Bolero Ranchero King”, Javier Solis was a prolific interpreter of many styles of music, not only Boleros but also Rancheras and Tangos. Additionally, he acted in more than twenty movies.

Juan Zaizar (2001)

Juan Zaizar remains well-known throughout Mexico not only for his singing, but also for composing great songs such as “Cruz de Olvido”.

Bank One (2001)

Among its strategic partnerships with many Hispanic organizations, Bank One has a 19-year history of dedication to advancing the Mariachi tradition through its lead sponsorship of the Tucson International Mariachi Conference.

Mariachi Los Camperos (2000)

Mariachi Los Camperos started when a Mexican boy named Natividad Cano was born into a family of mariachi musicians. At the age of seven he learned to play the mariachi rhythm guitar (vihuela), and just two years later started studying the violin at Academia de Musica in Guadalajara, Mexico. In his mid teens he quit school to help support his family and to make money he played music professionally in restaurants and bars.

At the young age of 17 he moved to Mexicali, joined Mariachi Chapala and in a short time became the group’s manager and arranger. Later he moved to Los Angeles where he formed Mariachi Los Camperos. The group started in 1964 and was soon known as one of the premiere mariachi ensembles in the United States and Mexico. As the word of their talent and performances spread, they became known as one of “the” bands that set the standard for what traditional mariachi should be. Even today the talent of the band and how they play together marks a clear path for aspiring mariachi bands to follow.

With the leadership of Nati Cano and Jesus Guzman, another arranger in the band, Mariachi Los Camperos de “Nati” Cano is credited for taking mariachi music from the streets of Mexican culture to some of the most highly regarded concert halls in the world.

The band has performed at such places as the White House, Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, and Guadalajara’s Teatro de Degollado. Mariachi Los Camperos has a reputation for being insistent that musical arrangements highlight the individual skills and voices of the players. The band is featured on Linda Ronstadt’s Canciones de Mi Padre and Mas Canciones albums. Other mariachi musicians emulate their style, look to them for advice or arrangements, but we all know there is only one Mariachi Los Camperos de “Nati” Cano.

Linda Ronstadt (2000)

U.S. pop star Linda Ronstadt´s 1988 CD, Canciones de Mi Padre, helped herald the creation of a new audience for mariachi music among non-Hispanics.

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán (2000)

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán has been giving 200 percent for more than 100 years. The group, formed in 1898 in the town of Tecalitlán, south of Jalisco, has the distinction of being the world´s premier mariachi. It has held that reputation since the 1950s when it was lead by Don Silvestre Vargas, son of founder Gaspar Vargas.

This group has come a long way from the one harp, single guitarra de golpe, two violins and peasant garb of its early days. But it has remained true to its roots. Since the early days, it has continued to play traditional Mexican songs though they are now mixed with some incredible compositions of light classical works and potpourri that delight audiences everywhere.

The classical influence can be attributed largely to Ruben Fuentes, the group´s musical director for the last 25 years. The talents and skills of Fuentes—conductor, producer and arranger for the group—help set the mariachi apart in today´s music industry. But it is the group´s collective instrumentation, versatility and talent that result in the flawless, elegant and delightful performances.

Mariachi Cobre (2000)

Mariachi Cobre’s roots started 40 years ago in Tucson with Los Changuitos Feos, a group of boys wanting to play mariachi music. From this original group in 1971 Mariachi Cobre was formed and began a history of its own. Eight Cobres are former Changos including Randy Carrillo who started Cobre with the support of his younger brother Steve, his friend Mack Ruiz, and musical arranger, Frank Grijalva.

Since 1982 they have been playing as one of the popular house bands for EPCOT Center at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. As their show continues, they impress fans and wow crowds from all over the world. With the diverse international audience EPCOT Center offers, Cobre became known as “ambassadors to the music.” That is quite a compliment to their work. But they do not take that name lightly.

They continue to cultivate relationships with other bands and entertainers to keep the music growing. Before arriving to work in Florida and even now, the group works with such renowned artists as Linda Ronstadt, Julio Iglesias, Vicki Carr, Lucha Villa, Lola Beltran, Ana Gabriel, Guadalupe Pineda, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Rocio Banquells, and Beatriz Adriana. This dedication combined with travels throughout the United States, Mexico, and abroad are testaments to why they are sometimes also called the band that “brought mariachi music to the masses.” With every performance Mariachi Cobre shares the tradition and heritage of mariachi.