A viewing is scheduled at Faith Please Gods Church (956) 412-5600, 4501 West Expressway 83 in Harlingen at 3-9 p .m Thursday with a regular service to follow at 7 p.m.
Another viewing and service is set for 8-noon Friday at the same church with funeral service to follow at 1 p.mj. Heavenly Grace Memorial Cemetary on rural Route 2 in La Feria. (956) 797-5614
DosCentavos.net sends condolences to the family of Ruben Vela, Conjunto music legend and pioneer. From his MySpace page:
Ruben Vela was born May 10, 1937. Although he was born in San Antonio, he spent most of his youth in the Rio Grande Valley, growing up in cities like Relampago and Mercedes. While he and his family were living in Mercedes, Ruben’s mother presented 11year-old Ruben with his first accordion – a brand new two row Hohner. Even though the $70 she spent was a lot of money for that time, she soon realized, it was money well spent. Ruben was so delighted that he could now play with his 9 brothers and 1 sister, all musicians, he practiced non-stop. And at the tender age of 12, Ruben decided he was ready for his first public performance. Ruben had such talent and his music was so well received, that by 1956, he became a regular on the KGBT Martin Rosales radio show in the Valley. Rosales was so impressed with young Ruben that he introduced him to the owner of Discos Falcon in McAllen. There, Ruben recorded his first song, and instrumental called “Adolorido,” a compilation, based on two old traditional Mexican songs, “Adolorido” and “El Abandonado.” It became an instant hit. So, in 1959, with his first hit in hand, Ruben decided it was time to start touring. Since then, he has recorded many other memorable hits, including, “Te Regalo El Corazon,” “Mire Amigo,” and “El Oso Negro.” Ruben also recorded the beloved, “El Pajuelazo” and “El Tiroteo.” Throughout the years, Ruben has recorded on such labels as, Bego, Freddie, Dina, Joey, and Hacienda, and Crown. Throughout the years, Ruben Vela’s music has touched the hearts and souls of Tejano fans around the world. In 1983 he was honored for these outstanding contributions to the world of Conjunto music and inducted into the Conjunto Hall of Fame at the world famous Conjunto Festival in San Antonio. But who would have guessed that things would only get better? After forty years of entertaining audiences, Ruben Vela and his Conjunto had their biggest hit of all, a power cumbia called “El Coco Rayado ñ Powermix.” Not only did “El Coco Rayado” get heavy rotation throughout the Valley, it received impressive play in tough northern markets, as well. But the real surprise came in 1997, when the follow-up “La Papaya” earned Ruben a nomination for three Tejano Music Awards. This super-charged cumbia, not only earned Ruben a nomination for Song of the Year, but for Album of the year, as well. So, at an age when most people are contemplating retirement, Ruben dealt with a hectic touring schedule, the likes of which he had never before seen.
In fact, a search through YouTube will uncover several videos of performances, including one from less than a year ago. There is also one posted this year, but I don’t have confirmation if the performance was this year. In that video, one sees that the aging musico is assisted by a stand to hold up his accordion, but still plays as perfectly as ever. Ruben Vela’s was a legendary career that boosted the careers of all those that came after him in the Conjunto Tejano genre.
Here’s a performance at Tejano Conjunto Festival in 2009.
The Tejano Music world is left with a hugh void. Ruben Vela “El Caparito de Oro”, was a giant in the industry. This so sad.
On behalf of Pacific Northwest Tejano Music Association, I would like to express our most heartfelt condolences to his wife Molly, and the rest of his family, friends, and to all his fans.
“Rabbit” I know that you will be proud to carry the family tradition. A great part of our unique culture … is our music and what we are made of. Your father has been a great part of this.
Descansa en Paz, Chaparito. You will never be forgotten for through your music …. you will live on forever. http://www.pntma.com
Ruben Vela was born May 10, 1937. Although he was born in San Antonio, he spent most of his youth in the Rio Grande Valley, growing up in cities like Relampago and Mercedes. While he and his family were living in Mercedes, Ruben’s mother presented 11year-old Ruben with his first accordion – a brand new two row Hohner. Even though the $70 she spent was a lot of money for that time, she soon realized, it was money well spent. Ruben was so delighted that he could now play with his 9 brothers and 1 sister, all musicians, he practiced non-stop. And at the tender age of 12, Ruben decided he was ready for his first public performance. Ruben had such talent and his music was so well received, that by 1956, he became a regular on the KGBT Martin Rosales radio show in the Valley. Rosales was so impressed with young Ruben that he introduced him to the owner of Discos Falcon in McAllen. There, Ruben recorded his first song, and instrumental called “Adolorido,” a compilation, based on two old traditional Mexican songs, “Adolorido” and “El Abandonado.” It became an instant hit. So, in 1959, with his first hit in hand, Ruben decided it was time to start touring. Since then, he has recorded many other memorable hits, including, “Te Regalo El Corazon,” “Mire Amigo,” and “El Oso Negro.” Ruben also recorded the beloved, “El Pajuelazo” and “El Tiroteo.” Throughout the years, Ruben has recorded on such labels as, Bego, Freddie, Dina, Joey, and Hacienda, and Crown. Throughout the years, Ruben Vela’s music has touched the hearts and souls of Tejano fans around the world. In 1983 he was honored for these outstanding contributions to the world of Conjunto music and inducted into the Conjunto Hall of Fame at the world famous Conjunto Festival in San Antonio. But who would have guessed that things would only get better? After forty years of entertaining audiences, Ruben Vela and his Conjunto had their biggest hit of all, a power cumbia called “El Coco Rayado ñ Powermix.” Not only did “El Coco Rayado” get heavy rotation throughout the Valley, it received impressive play in tough northern markets, as well. But the real surprise came in 1997, when the follow-up “La Papaya” earned Ruben a nomination for three Tejano Music Awards. This super-charged cumbia, not only earned Ruben a nomination for Song of the Year, but for Album of the year, as well. So, at an age when most people are contemplating retirement, Ruben dealt with a hectic touring schedule, the likes of which he had never before seen.
The Tejano Music world is left with a hugh void. Ruben Vela “El Caparito de Oro”, was a giant in the industry. This so sad.
On behalf of Pacific Northwest Tejano Music Association, I would like to express our most heartfelt condolences to his wife Molly, and the rest of his family, friends, and to all his fans.
“Rabbit” I know that you will be proud to carry the family tradition. A great part of our unique culture … is our music and what we are made of. Your father has been a great part of this.
Descansa en Paz, Chaparito. You will never be forgotten for through your music …. you will live on forever.
http://www.pntma.com