Austin musician’s success blazed trail for other Tejano artists
Tejano music fans across the country are mourning the loss of one of its musical giants.
Alfonso Ramos Jr., who was part of a Texas family with a centurylong musical legacy, died earlier this month after a long illness. He was 79.
In the 1950s, he became the leader of Alfonso Ramos y Su Orquesta, recorded dozens of albums across the subsequent decades and helped open the door for many Tejano musicians including his brother, Ruben Ramos.
The big band’s success made Ramos Jr. a hometown hero who stood among the pioneers of Austin’s Tejano music scene. Alfonso Ramos y Su Orquesta fans still cherish memories of dancing the night away at many of their legendary weekend bailes.
“He was a good-natured role model for our community,” says former state Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, who represented Travis County’s 14th District. “But he also had the fire and spirit to play that good old Tejano music.”
Barrientos credits Ramos Jr., along with other Tejano musicians, with helping him run for political office. “When I started running, we had to stretch the dollar,” he says. Money to launch his campaign came partly from benefit dances featuring Alfonso Ramos y Su Orquesta. “I often say that had it not been for the initial boost from all the bailes ,I don’t know if I would have been elected. Running for office costs money — money that we didn’t have.”
Alfonso Ramos y Su Orquesta also headlined monthly performances decades ago at the popular downtown Austin venue City Coliseum, which no longer exists. It was the place to be for young Latinos, and it brought a community together with performers such as Manuel “Cowboy” Donley and Sunny and the Sunglows (later the Sunliners.)
“He always drew good crowds, and since those dances were only on Saturday nights, you can imagine what it was like when everyone got together,” says former Travis County Commissioner Richard Moya, who booked shows at the City Coliseum. “He wasn’t only a pioneer for Tejano music in Austin, but for all of Texas.”
More than 100 personal notes from across the country poured in on Ramos Jr’s online obituary guest book. Fan messages included everyone from former bandmates to politicians. Many of them reflected on the special events in their lives where the Tejano Music Awards Hall of Famer was present.
“Alfonso was the man (who) made our 50th wedding anniversary the most talked about