Al Hurricane, “Godfather of New Mexico music,” dies

The Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE» Al Hurricane, known as the “Godfather of New Mexico music” for developing a distinct sound bridging the state’s unique Latino traditions with country and rock, died Sunday.

His son, Al Hurricane Jr., said his father died from complications related to a long battle against prostate cancer. Two of his daughters were at his side.

He was 81. Hurricane Jr. said his father had said goodbye to his friends, fans and his children. “He didn’t want people crying when it was his time to go,” his son said.

His death came two years after the elder Hurricane went on a farewell tour after his announcement he had Stage 4 prostate cancer and kept performing despite chemotherapy.

Born Alberto Nelson Sanchez on July 10, 1936, in the tiny village of Dixon, N.M., he was raised for a time in O jo Sarco before moving to Arizona and later Albuquerque. He learned to play the guitar thanks to his mother and his father, a miner.

Hurricane began his professional music career by singing in Albuquerque Old Town restaurants before releasing his first songs, “Lobo” and “Racer,” under the band Al Hurricane & the Night Rockers in 1962. He released his first album, “Mi Saxophone,” in 1967. The album contained his signature song “Sentimiento,” a ballad he wrote for his first wife and mother of his four children. Years later, Selena would record her own version of it.

In 1969, while on a trip to Colorado, a car carrying Hurricane and five band members skidded on an icy bridge and flipped five times. A piece of glass struck Hurricane’s right eye, causing him to lose it. He would wear an eye patch for this rest of his life, and it would become part of his unique look.

Other popular songs he recorded were “South Bend / Burrito” and “Mexican Cat / Pedro’s Girlfriend.” The songs blended traditional New Mexico corridos, Tejano, rock, folk and country. Often, he sang them in both Spanish and English.

He went on to record more than 30 albums and received awards while traveling internationally.

After the 1980 Santa Fe prison riot — one of the most violent prison riots in U.S. history — Hurricane released the song “(El Corrido De) La Prison De Santa Fe” which was a narrative about the conditions that led to the uprising.

In his later years, Hurricane would campaign on behalf of former U.S Rep. Heather Wilson and current Gov. Susana Martinez, both Republicans.