Mexican band receives star on Walk of Fame

Wave Wire Services

HOLLYWOOD — A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled Sept. 7 honoring Los Huracanes Del Norte in connection with the 50th anniversary of the norteño band recording its first album in September 1972.

Roberto Heraclio “Rocky Jr.” García, a vocalist who also plays the bajo sexto, a Mexican 12-string guitar, joined his father Heraclio “Rocky” Garcia — one of the band’s four founding members — in accepting the honor.

Translating on behalf of his father, who spoke in Spanish, the younger Garcia thanked the band’s fans and the media who have supported them.

“What started out as a dream 50 years ago is today becoming a reality,” he said during the event at 7060 Hollywood Blvd., between La Brea and Sycamore avenues. “Thank you all.”

Latin entertainment news correspondent Jessica Maldonado also spoke at the event. The ceremony also included an appearance by radio personality Oswaldo Diaz, wearing a mask portraying Erazno, a character from his syndicated radio program, “El Show de Erazno y La Chokolata.”

The elder Garcia and his brothers Jesus, Francisco and Jose were farmworkers who would work in the California fields during the day and perform at night. They were recording their first album during a stormy night when they came up with the name, Los Huracanes Del Norte.

The band had its first gold album, “La Guera Musiquera” in 1979.

In the early 2000s, “Rocky Jr.” García and his brother, drummer Antonio “El Guero” Garcia joined the band, along with singer  and accordionist José Luis “El Chapete” Mejia.

The band received a best norteño album Grammy nomination in 2006 for “Puro Pa’ Arriba.”

 

       
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