COUNTRY music pioneer Johnny Rodriguez has died at 73.
The Texas-born star had six number one hits – and 20 top 10s – in his heyday between 1973 and 1978.
5
5
5
Rodriguez helped to define the genre of country music.
He was born in Texas in 1951, and in his early years was an alter boy and football team captain.
But his teenage years were racked by tragedy.
His father died from cancer when he was 16, and then his brother the following year in a car crash.
read more in entertainment
The trauma of these losses led him into trouble with the law – and country music.
Legend has it that in 1969, aged 18, Rodriguez was thrown in jail after he and his friends stole and barbecued a goat.
Others say that the spell in prison was simply punishment for an unpaid fine.
Either way, his singing from his jail cell was noticed by famous Texas ranger Joaquin Jackson, who went straight to his music promoter friend “Happy” Shahan to tell him about the young talent.
It was through him that Rodriguez was booked to sing at the Almo Village tourist attraction where 1960 movie The Almo, directed by John Wayne, was filmed.
In 1971, Tom T. Hall and Bobby Bare passed through and were blown away by Rodriguez’s voice.
Roy Cooper wins 1984 calf-roping world title
The pair got in touch and told him he should move to Nashville.
Rodriguez’s agreed and rocked up when he was 21 with just a guitar and $14.
Less than a year later, he signed a record deal with Mercury.
The first top-10 hit came with Pass Me By (If You’re Only Passing Through), followed by a string of number ones.
5
5
His best-known hits include Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico, That’s the way Love Goes and You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me).
Country music had its first Hispanic star in Rodriguez, opening the door for others to follow.
His use of Spanish lyrics and sounds brought country music to many Hispanic listeners for the first time.
In 1973, Johnny Rodriguez was nominated for the CMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year.
After a few years of immense success, Rodriguez in 1979 signed to Epic Records to work with renowned producer Billy Sherrill.
The hits largely dried up, but he did put out two more top-10s in 1983 with Foolin’ and How Could I Love Her So Much.
Rodriguez’s commercial output hit a stop in 1998 when he shot and killed a man who he had mistaken for a burglar.
However, eventually acquitted on all charges, Rodriguez went on to perform for Presidents (Jimmy Carter, and both Bush’s), and was exonerated in the public eye.
He continued touring throughout his life, and even occasionally recorded music into his 70s.
After going into hospice care earlier this week, Rodriguez died on May 9.
His daughter, Aubry Rodriguez, released her debut single Pass Me By as a tribute to her father earlier this year.
