Rocky Gil Bio










	Rocky was like a big brother to me as I went out on the road with The Bishops at age 15. He is one of my dearest friends whom I will miss tremendously. He will be remembered always as an innovator & leader in the halls of the greatest of band leaders in Tejano music!




	Ralph Rifon, Santa Fe, Texas


	Rocky Gil
	A Houston Legend

Band History

Pepper and his Orbiteers - 1959 to 1960

Little Joe and the Embers - 1961 to 1964

Rocky Gil and the Bishops - 1965 to 1969

La Raza - 1970 to 1973

Jamie Band - Featuring Rocky Gil - 1974 to 1975

Damascus - 1976 to 1977

The City Limits Band - 1980 to 1982

Rocky Gil with Josefa - 1983 to 1985

FIDENCIO "ROCKY GIL" GARZA will be remembered always as an innovator & leader in the halls of the greatest band leaders of Tejano music!


	Born on November 16, 1943, in Alief, Texas, a small town boasting 200 residents and eight businesses and the resurgence of rice as a major cash crop. Growing up in a small farm town, between mischief and hard work, left only dreams; to venture out beyond the miles and miles of water soaked rice fields. It was 1955, during one of these dreams, as a small RCA VICTOR radio played on the corner of his bed, that “Pepe” awoke, singing along with the number one hit that year, by Bill Haley & His Comets - We're Gonna Rock Around The Clock, could this be a possible way out of this small town. Now, consumed by the desire to sing, “PePe” (a family pet name, given to Rocky during his youth) began his journey to becoming one of the greatest Tejano singers ever!

In 1959, after years of perfecting his craft and with the addition of a bass player, drummer, Sax, “Pepe” on the piano, “ Pepper and his Orbiteers was born, the dream was coming to reality. In 1961, as "Little Joe & The Embers" search for a lead singer lingered on; to their amazement “Pepe” was available. After a 2pm teenage Sunday matinee at the Pan American Ballroom with Sunny and the Sunglows on the ticket, Joe Martinez, of Little Joe and the Embers, saw that this new Tejano sound was the direction the Embers needed to go. Excited about this new direction, Little Joe and the Embers invited “Pepe” to complete this new sound.

The culmination of the Tejano big band, rock and roll, and R&B, invigorated “Pepe” with this new direction, he could no longer be called “Pepe” or “Pepper”. Tejano music needed a champion, there had to be a name, that would champion the cause, that would bring this new sound to the American forefront. What better name to champion the cause, than a champion’s name Rocky Marciano, the heavyweight champion of the world, he became champion in September 23, 1952, when he defeated Jersey Joe Walcott. As one of Pepe’s childhood hero’s, this was perfect. Rocky Marciano’s amazing record of 49 consecutive professional wins will probably never be exceeded. That is a champions name! Armed with this new revelation “Pepe” blossomed into Rocky Gil that year.

In 1965, the stage could not contain the developing Icon, Rocky Gil signed with Tear Drop Records a record label founded in Winnie, Texas in the early 1960s by record pioneer and radio personality Huey P. Meaux. As a DJ, Meaux was known as the "Crazy Cajun", a name that stuck with him throughout his long, music career. Armed with a vision and determination, Rocky set out to bring the new sound of Tejano to the American forefront with Rocky Gil and the Bishops. With hits like “Soul Party”, “Mi Negra Sufrir”, and “Oily”, which is still played in Europe today. Here, Rocky's passion and commitment to take it to another level, his showmanship, his ability to capture an audience, and his amazing vocals, lead him to be one of the leading innovators, forging to the forefront of Tejano music.

The 1970’s brought a synthesized sound in Rocky Gil and La Raza, with the hit “Porque” to present time fans boast, no remakes of this single, have ever been able to match, the amazing singing talent of Rocky Gil.

Rocky Gil enjoyed a forty-plus year career in music, whether he was singing the 50’s be-bop, Tejano, Rock, blues, or country, he touched and brightened many lives, his great spirit and passion was greatly expressed through his singing and performances, he also forged a way as a stepping-stone for a lot of Houston musicians, helping shape their music careers. He will be truly missed by all musicians he came in contact with. He will be remembered always as an innovator & leader in the halls of the greatest band leaders in Tejano music! His unique style of Tejano music will be appreciated and will live on through his recordings. This was his legacy and for those who were able to hear him sing and perform, they will testify that he was one of the best! A true CHICANO LEGEND!

Part 1 Rocky Gil Bio - Part 2 Coming soon!