Legendary musician Juan M. Rodriguez of Grupo Romance passes away

Tejano music legend Juan M. Rodriguez of Grupo Romance and other legendary Tejano groups passed away from cancer on Tuesday.

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Grupo Romance confirmed the news of Rodriguez’s passing via social media. “One of the best musicians that could ever be has passed away this very day,” the group posted on their official Facebook page. “You might not have known him cause he was never a showboat or a person who was (loud) and carried an obnoxious behavior but he was one of the greatest.”

According to a GoFundMe page set up this month by Rodriguez’s son, Johnny Rodriguez, the legendary musician was suffering from adrenal gland cancer and had also suffered a fractured lumbar causing severe back pain. He was receiving care at a cancer treatment center in Houston including chemotherapy.

Juan M. Rodriguez was a legendary Tejano musician playing accordion and bass during his career that began in the 1960s. He was a member of legendary band Snowball and Co. that featured late Tejano icon Laura Canales. He also played with Tierra Blanca and Felicidad.

“Juan was always instrumental in dealing with arrangements and arranging voices and things of that nature, a very well disciplined musician,” said Miro Valdez, a long life friend and band member with Rodriguez. “We have lost a very talented and wonderful human being and he will be missed dearly.”

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