Rudy Salas (musician)
Rudy Salas is a musician who was a member of the group El Chicano. He is also the co-founder of the L.A. Latin R&B band, Tierra. Along with his brother Steve, he has been a major part of the Eastside sound from the mid 1960s.
History
Rudy grew up in East Los Angeles. In the early days he didn't speak any Spanish. He and his brother picked up the harmonies from his mother and uncle who used to sing at family gatherings. Taking what he learnt from his mother, he and his brother started playing neighborhood fiestas.[1] In the early to mid 1960s, the brothers were spotted by Mario Paniagua who was leader of The Percussions, Jaguars. When he was aged about 11, he appeared on "Where Lovers Go" by the Jaguars. Not long after that, Rudy and Steve recorded about three singles for Eddie Davis's Faro label as The Salas Brothers.[2]
Later Salas was in groups such as El Chicano and Maya.[3] In 1972, Rudy and Steve joined El Chicano with Rudy as a guitarist.[4] In 1973, Rudy and his brother formed Tierra. Their the first album Tierra was recorded.[5] In 1980, as an Eastside group, the brothers with their group had unmatched success with their cover of the Intruders hit "Together".[6] He produced their 1980 album City Nights that featured the hit.[7] Following a falling out with his brother, they didn't work together for 11 years.[8]
In 2010 Salas played a concert at the Inland Empire with former El Chicano band mate Bobby Espinosa who would soon pass away.[9]
Discography
Appears on
- Ry Cooder - Chavez Ravine
- Little Willie G. - "Three Cool Cats"[10]
- Upground - Feel the Vibe - (2006)[11]
References
- ^ San Jose Mercury News 16-1-2013 Tierra gets 'Together' for autism benefit by Paul Freeman
- ^ You Found That East Side Sound May 13, 2012 Eastside Legends - The Salas Brothers
- ^ Barrio Rhythm: Mexican American Music in Los Angeles Steven Loza 104 Part I: History Tierra
- ^ Latin Music: Musicians, Genres, and Themes by Ilan Stavans Page 242 El Chicano
- ^ Barrio Rhythm: Mexican American Music in Los Angeles Steven Loza 104 Part I: History Tierra
- ^ Ethnic and Border Music: A Regional Exploration by Norm Cohen Page 74
- ^ Billboard 13/12/1980 Page 77 First Time Around
- ^ San Jose Mercury News 16-1-2013 Tierra gets 'Together' for autism benefit by Paul Freeman
- ^ 89.3KPCC March 02 2010 Co-founder of seminal East L.A. band El Chicano dies by Adolfo Guzman-Lopez
- ^ Mark Guerrero Tierra: Funkafied Salsa
- ^ All Music Rudy Salas, Credits