Ruben Naranjo
Ruben Naranjo | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 22, 1945 Alice, Texas, US |
| Died | October 12, 1998 (aged 53) Alice, Texas, US |
| Genres | Conjunto |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer |
| Instrument(s) | Accordion, bajo sexto, vocals |
| Labels | Zarape, Freddie, Hacienda |
Ruben Naranjo Sr.[1] (February 22, 1945 – October 12, 1998) is an American conjunto accordionist.
Biography
[edit]Naranjo was born February 22, 1945, in Alice, Texas, to a trucker father and eight brothers.[2] He began playing bajo sexto at age 15, until he was invited into Chano Cadena's band as a backup accordionist in 1962. In 1972, he founded his own band, Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers, and by the mid-1970s, was recording for Zarape Records, which gave him success throughout the 1980s, where he also recorded for Freddie and Hacienda Records. Nicknamed "El Hijo del Pueblo" and "El Si Senor"—for his yelling of "Si, senor" during shows—by fans, he died on October 12, 1998, aged 53,[2][3] following a performance in Alice.[4]
After his death, his son Ricky played accordion for the namesaked Ruben Naranjo Memorial Festival. He was inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame in 2010.[4] His band was continued by his children and grandchildren.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Saldaña, Hector (6 May 2010). "Latin Notes: Naranjo follows in grandad's steps". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ a b "Obituary: Ruben Naranjo". The Independent. 1998-11-06. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ Burr, Ramiro (24 October 1998). "Conjunto Veteran Ruben Naranjo, 53, Dies". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ a b Association, Texas State Historical. "Ruben Naranjo: The Legacy of a Conjunto Music Icon". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
- ^ delnieto (2022-10-25). "The Family Tradition Continues With Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers". Tejano Nation. Retrieved 2025-06-11.