Tejano music legend Alfonso Ramos passes away

Tejano music legend Alfonso Ramos passed away on Tuesday in Austin, Texas after a long illness.

The musician was the older brother of “El Gato Negro” Ruben Ramos, who confirmed the news via his official Facebook page on Tuesday.

“The Ramos family will miss my brother Alfonso Ramos, Leon de la Sierra. He is now resting. Until we meet again my brother Alfonso. I love you. Your brother Ruben Ramos.”

A gifted vocalist and saxophonist, the handsome, silver-haired Alfonso was known as “El Mero Leon de la Sierra” and, along with his brothers Ruben, Elijio, Joe and Roy, hit the Austin music scene as the Alfonso Ramos Orchestra in the late 1950s. The big band was one of the great “orquestas” to come out of Austin’s old east side, featuring a big brass section and playing cha chas, cumbias, boleros and rancheras.

Alfonso’s contributions to Tejano music have been recognized by various organizations, including the Austin Latino Music Association, and he was inducted into the Tejano Music Awards Hall of Fame in 1998 and into the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame in 2002.

In 1985, Alfonso and Ruben got together to record an album and were awarded Best Vocal Duo at the 1987 Tejano Music Awards for “TX Revolution.”

Tejano Nation sends our heartfelt condolences to the Ramos family and will post details on services as soon as they become available.

LISTEN: Alfonso Ramos – Popurri Ranchera

Source: Do512