Welcome

Welcome to the latest version of this continuously evolving website dedicated to the rich musical history created by Chicano Artists from the 1940’s to the present day.  Chicano Artists have created and refined many musical styles during the Chicano experience and this website’s primary focus is on R&B, Soul, and the low-rider sound of the barrio.  This website will serve as a companion to my books, “Chicano Soul” and “The Old Barrio Guide To Low-rider Music”.

In the near future this website will contain a variety historical reference and pay tribute to the many masterful musicians who have captured the essence of Chicano Soul.  With the help of those who created this music and those who cherish the musical memories and seek to keep this music alive, I am uploading music clips, photos, memorabilia, and data on hundreds of Chicano Soul groups.

I hope you will visit this website regularly and enjoy the new material as it is added.  I also plan to have a radio show dedicated to Chicano Soul music featuring the history, artist interviews and plenty of extremely rare music. I look forward to your comments, advice and direction.

          Ruben Molina

Rockin' in October

San Antonio

A big treat for the Gente of San Antonio and those of you visiting on Saturday October 11, 2008. Long time radio personality Bobby Galvan and music enthusiast turned promoter Juan Mendoza have put together a line-up of San Antonio finest sixties R&B acts.

The event pays tribute to the famed dance hall Patio Andaluz and will be held at the Gaudalupe Cultural Arts Center on the city’s Westside. Acts will include Sunny Ozuna, Dimas Garza, Rudy Tee, Sonny Ace, Little Henry Lee, Rene Ornelas (Rene & Rene), Carlos Landin, Canela and Larry Lang and the Lonely Knights. There will also be a tribute band staring Little Henry Lee (Sunliners), Rudy Palacios (Sunliners), Chente Montes (Sunliners), Vic Montes (Dell-Tones, Commands) and others to be named

The show kicks off at 4:00 and will rock until midnight.                      
For more information on the event drop me a line or check back as the time gets closer.

Chicano Soul: Recordings and History of an American Culture

Mictlan Publishing announces the publication of “Chicano Soul: Recordings and History of an American Culture” by Ruben Molina. The book traces the history of Mexican American popular music in the 1950s and 1960s -- from Sunny and the Sunliners and the Royal Jesters of San Antonio, Texas to groups such as Tierra and Thee Midniters in Los Angeles, California.

Molina, who has amassed one of the most extensive collections of records and Chicano music memorabilia, describes the effort to produce “Chicano Soul” as a labor of love. “It’s the first comprehensive, intimate look at the music that was lovingly created by Chicanos throughout the American Southwest,” says Molina. He adds: “This music of the 1950s and 1960s flourished during a time when Soul music was the ‘hip thing’ and garage bands sprang up in barrios  throughout the Southwest. For the first time, all of the great groups of the Southwest tell their story and reveal what the Chicano has always known – that Soul music runs through our veins.”

Advance praise for “Chicano Soul” comes from the likes of Louie Perez of Los Lobos who has written: “The lost music of America is found! This is a cool stroll down the Memory Lane of Chicano Soul music.”

The book, which is chocked full of vintage photos and colorful graphics is a companion to "The Old Barrio Guide To Low Rider Music 1950-1975" previously published by Mictlan Publishing. Both books are available through this web site or participating book stores.