Overview

• Johnny Rodriguez, one of country music’s first major Hispanic stars, died on May 9 at age 73, his daughter Aubry announced.
• Rodriguez’s career included six No. 1 hits and fifteen top 10 songs during his peak in the 1970s, influencing the genre with his unique blend of country and Latin sounds.
• Born in Sabinal, Texas, in 1951, Rodriguez’s rise to fame began after being discovered singing in jail as a teenager, leading to a record deal with Mercury Records at age 21.
• He was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007, cementing his legacy as a trailblazer in the industry.
• Rodriguez is survived by his daughter Aubry and second wife Debbie McNeely; his family has requested privacy as tributes pour in from fans and peers.