Last Wednesday, La Prensa Texas publisher Yvette Tello and community liaison Ramón Chapa Jr. went to Flor de Chiapas to present a Certificate of Recognition to ten seasoned musicians that one can genuinely call a living legend due to their combined total of 550-plus years of making audiences happy with their God-given talent.
It all started when Placido Salazar told me of a restaurant where many veteran musicians gather to jam and swap memories as they reminisced about the many years that they poured out their heart and soul in interpreting beautiful love songs as musicians, or a troubadours, a part of a trio, quartet, conjunto or mariachi at Alamo City restaurants, private functions and in some cases on an international scale.
As an example, Salazar has been bringing happiness to the masses for 77 years; and Heritage Conjunto instructor Bene Medina has been singing and playing accordion for 72 years. 90-year-old Albino Alonzo, who had a late start, has 66 years under his belt. Daniel Gallegos has been playing accordion 62 years, Richard García has been performing 61 years.
The youngest member of this elite group, Ricardo Solís, whose father was Seferino “Chepe” Solís, is carrying the torch forward. But despite his young age, he has been singing and playing guitar for 56 years.
“I started very young,” Ricardo said with a laugh.
Next in line is vihuela and guitar player Henry “Kike” Gómez, who just turned 70. Yet, this vocalist has already logged 55 years in all facets of the recording end as a studio musician, arranger and producer. Furthermore, he has recorded in over 100 albums of which four were Grammy winners.
If you are not familiar with the aforementioned musicians, it’s because they “never” received the recognition they deserved due to the following reasons. Take 85-year-old Placido Salazar, who joined El Conjunto de Pedro Ayala in 1947 as a vocalist, guitarist, tololoche player and emcee for the band after winning first place at “every” talent contest in the Rio Grande Valley. He even beat a kid named Baldemar Huerta, who later became world famous as Freddy Fender.
It was this same year that he recorded his first single with the legendary Ayala. Nine years and several albums later, Placido quit because his name, nor that of the other musicians appeared on the album’s credits. Henceforth, there is no proof of his landmark accomplishments. Years later he also recorded with Flaco Jiménez, Los Rancheritos de Topo Chico, Los Hnos Banda, but it was the same thing – no name credit.
It was not until 1976, after this songwriter retired from the U.S. Air Force with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Heroism that he recorded “Cantinero,” which became his signature song and the first tune bearing his name on that label. This opened the doors for him as an actor.
This is also the year that he became a radio personality at KUKA followed by KEDA that marked the beginning of a 48-year career in radio. He was a voice without a face until he launched his “Estas Con Plácido” cable television show in 1978.
Each of the ten recipients have also worked under the shadow of the lead vocalist or bandleader’s banner, and their name was overlooked and omitted on print media articles. Yet, each has their own story.
When Yvette Tello learned of their plight, she said, “We must find a way of at least acknowledging their legacy with a Certificate of Recognition” that their families, children and grandchildren can display on their wall.
Francisco “Paco” Pérez was not present and our apologies to Alejandro Alvarado, whose certificate we forgot to bring, but is forthcoming.
In closing, this writer must mention that Flor de Chiapas appears to be the place to hobnob with celebrities because during the hour we spent there, among those enjoying a meal there as the musicians jammed were former wrestler Cruz “Diablo” Cruz and Efrain Gutiérrez, who scholars have acknowledged to be “The First Chicano Filmmaker” in the United States.
Moreover, one of the regulars is Placido’s son, Sheriff Javier Salazar, who is also known to belt a song or two with this distinguished group.
