The Muzique Man
LA Times
At the age of 81, Lalo Guerrero is still singing his songs across the country displaying vitality that few experience, even in their youth. Affectionately known as "Papa Lalo" by many of today’s top musicians, Lalo can be found entertaining thousands at fiestas, mariachi festivals, community events, concert stages, schools and even at airport waiting areas. For the past five years, Lalo has been a spokesperson for the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) pest exclusion effort. Lalo has written more than 200 songs, ranging from heartfelt ballads like "Nunca Jamas" to songs that make people laugh to burlesques of Anglo tunes like "Tacos for Two." A 1996 recording with legendary group Los Lobos called "Papa Lalo’s Dream" received a Grammy award.
Among the many songs he’s composed is a song that has become a message carrier for CDFA, "La Mosca." It is an impassioned plea to travelers not to return to the United States carrying fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, and meat from other countries. The song is about the Mediterranean fruit fly, a pest that can reap havoc of California’s agricultural production and cost thousands their jobs, if not held in check.
Lalo’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. In December 1996, Lalo was invited to a full dress awards presentation at the White House. During the dinner, President Clinton presented Lalo with the "National Medal for the Arts." Fellow recipients included jazz great Lionel Hampton, Opera star Luciano Povoratti, Broadway writer Stephen Sondheim. Actor Robert Redford, and the Harlem Boys choir. In 1992 Lalo received the National Heritage Award by the National Endowment of the Arts. He was honored at a tribute at the University of California Los Angeles Royce Hall, Among those performing in his honor were Linda Ronstadt and old friend of Lalo’s bandleader Tito Puente. He’s also received a Golden Eagle Award from Nosotros, for lifetime achievement, and Caminos Magazine’s Hispanic of the year award. Lalo cares first and foremost about people. His songs have touched millions. At the age of 17, he wrote and performed the classic "Cancion Mexicana", a song many consider the true anthem of the Mexican people. In 1946 legendary singing star Lucha Reyes recorded "Cancion Mexicana" and Lalo’s career was on a fast track.. That same year, Lalo landed a job performing at a nightclub in Los Angeles called "La Bamba," an "in place" for the glamour stars of Hollywood. He also organized a trio called "Trio Imperial" and was signed as the first recording artists for a record label which later became legendary during the early "Rock N Roll" years, Imperial Records.
His compositions about the Pachuco era or "Zoot Suit" years produced a string of hits and made the "pachuco language" famous. Several of Lalo’s songs from this era were featured in the 1984 film and hit musical play "Zoot Suit". In the 1950’s a time Lalo calls his "Romantic period" female hearts throughout the United States, Mexico, Central and South America were sent fluttering by a string of love ballads he recorded that are now considered standards. And as usual he was making America laugh with satires including "Pancho Lopez" his take on the ballad of "Davy Crockett" and his now infamous description of Elvis Presley in the song "Elvis Perez."
In the 60’s Lalo recorded a series of children’s albums with the help of three-chipmunk type characters called "Las Ardillitas." Lalo has frequently championed special causes. During the 1960s, Lalo wrote songs about Cesar Chavez and the battle for decent treatment of farm workers. He sang for people in the fields. He traveled throughout the farm production areas of the county to entertain farm workers. It was the concern that sparked his interest in the effort to protect California farm crops from pests that could destroy those crops and harm the livelihood of farm workers.
This year, Guerrero will be expanding the message in several appearances throughout the state for CDFA urging children and moms to be sure to heed the "healthy eating" message reduce the chances of cancer and other disease by working five fruits and vegetables a day into the daily diet. Lalo Guerrero is indeed a tireless legend and his music and deeds will long be remembered.