he could find a better chance of life for us than in Mexico. As any kindergarten student, I was introduced to nursery rhymes and tunes that really interested me because of the music. Living with my grandmother at the beginning, forced me to listen to much of the Hispanic tunes on the radio station that played many of the old songs that are presently considered classics. I learned melodies singing along with the tunes, proof of my love of music (a gift God gave me). Mom put me to sing in front of an audience of parents and teachers during a PTA meeting to  sing “How Much Is That Doggy In The Window” at the age of about five. shy and apprehensive, it was my first stage presentation. Franklin and J.W. Oates Elementary were my first schools in Houston. McReynolds and Furr were my high schools, also in Houston. At McReynolds, I was in the choir and would sing during school events and they would give me short verse solos to sing. I joined the band and learned how to play the saxophone. I was attracted to the rock n’ roll music of the late 50’s because of my older cousins who were buying the 45’s of the music being played on the radio. A mixture of Elvis, Ricky Nelson, others and many black singers, ie. the Platters, Little Richard, Bobby Blue Bland and others also intrigued me more to music. As I learned more on the horn and how to read music, I took music theory which opened the door to harmonies for voices and instruments. With the guys from the barrio, we formed a band, but we really needed someone with experience and guidance. The six saxes, one trumpet, all playing the same note, a drummer, guitar, and another guitar which we attempted to use as a bass was exciting,… but something was definitely missing. We, ourselves, finally got it together but we needed exposure. Sure, we played at parties, weddings, quinceneras, and bars, but a strong desire to move up to the level of the other barrio bands was itching at us. Ben Gutierrez, leader of the Ethics called us and we joined him. He taught us quite a bit and then decided he’d rather play bass than sing because Johnny Colunga (singer) and the drummer of the Bishops, wanted us to join his band. Well, we were together for a very short time because he got drafted by the U.S. Army. He left Ben and me in charge. We needed a good singer and somehow Rocky was asked to join us and he agreed. From that  point on, we started to move up,…and fast! The passion for music is hard to describe. It’s personal and one way to describe the intensity is from the  mesmerized crowd, really enjoying the sound and most especially when they’d just stand in front of you, soaking in all the sound you are producing. The really rough part of this way of performing was being on the road. Exhausted, hungry, sleepy and simply waiting to get there or home, to our friends and girlfriends, engulfed us like a heavy cloak. We’d make the most of the uncomfortable situation by simply talking about the gig, the mistakes while playing or of the people, mostly the drunkards,…and, of course, the fine looking ladies. Rocky was the man with the ladies. He would easily attract them without even speaking to them. He loved the attention, and I couldn’t blame him. A funny moment was one time after a gig, at the motel, his brother Frank, a Golden Glove boxer at the time, bet us that he could run around the pool and beat us all with him running backwards. We placed the bet and he naturally lost. He had to drink a whole bottle of scotch which of course got him drunk and so he past out along with several of us because we had joined him. Rocky just watched since he didn’t drink. Sick and hung-over we laughed it off the next morning. I’m sure many others have quite a few stories that would make you laugh in awe. Life with the Bishops was unforgettable  with good/ bad moments, especially in the recording studio. Favorable moments because of the satisfying results of the sound recording even though the mixing was not yet done, we knew it was a good take. Each visit to the studio was unique because of the songs, change of musicians and different recording engineers, with their own interpretations of how certain parts of a song should sound like. For myself, I’m still (and have been) into music, although my goal and ambition took a different road. I got into Christian church music that presented priceless rewards for me and I’ve been doing well for the past 24 years. At home I’ve done some of my own recordings of oldies, pop and tejano music with the help of modern recording devices that allow me to record myself with harmonies and play my own parts. Since I can remember in my early teens, I’ve always dreamt of doing this and now it has become a reality. I thank God for it and that I don’t have to rely others, just my own. I wish I could have shown Rocky what I have done so I could see his reaction and hear his comments on my accomplishments. I feel he would have approved. I  do miss him and his extraordinary voice. He will remain a main part of my own success with music.