Legendary country singer Johnny Rodriguez has died. He was the first Latino to break big in country music, with a run of #1 hits in the 1970s. His story is a good un — he was “discovered” singing in jail by a legendary Texas Ranger.
Legend has it that in 1969 at the age of 18, Rodriguez was thrown in jail after he and his friends stole a goat and barbecued it. Others say he landed in the pokey simply for an unpaid fine. David Allan Coe believed the [former] story, and wrote it into the verses of the song “Longhaired Redneck.” Either way, while singing in his cell to pass the time away, famous Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson heard Rodriguez, and told music promoter “Happy” Shahan about him.
“Happy” Shahan in turn hired Rodriguez to sing at the Alamo Village tourist attraction where the 1960 John Wayne-directed movie The Alamo had been filmed. In 1971, Tom T. Hall and Bobby Bare were passing through town, and just like everyone else, they were floored at Johnny’s voice and told him he should move to Nashville. Johnny complied, showing up in Music City when he was 21 with just a guitar and $14. Less than a year later Rodriguez was signed to record songs for Mercury.
Vaya con Dios!
Clyde says
Listened to his Greatest Hits cd this morning. Maybe he’s singing for Joaquin up yonder. RIP.
Christine Cohen says
I say him perform at the NMSU Pan Am Center when I was 14 and he was 21. My first concert and he was amazing! His voice was so unique.
JimC says
Wow — what a greats memory to carry.