Voiceover by Lawrence Standifer Stevens

Written by Joseph E. Casanova

004

2015 marks the 45th anniversary of Los Tigres, regarded as Mexico’s equivalent to the Rolling Stones.

The first time I ever photographed Mexico’s legendary super group Los Tigres Del Norte was at Randy’s Rodeo in San Antonio in 1998.

I couldn’t wait to show the photos to my family, especially my late grandma Rita. I soon discovered she really enjoyed listening to their music, especially the narrative songs called corridos.

It was nice to know we actually had music we could enjoy together, considering she thought the rock I listened to was “ruido" (“noise”). She always told me and my cousins to turn down either our radios or our tape desks. Geez, remember tape decks?

2015 marks the 45th anniversary of Los Tigres, regarded as Mexico’s equivalent to the Rolling Stones. They are the undisputed Kings of Norteño and regional Mexican music, selling out venues all over Latin America. They graced the Alamo City late last year with a stop at the Freeman Coliseum.

I was excited to see Los Tigres on mainstream American TV in the mid-90s as they were the first Mexican group to perform in Spanish on the American Music Awards. They sang one of my favorite boleros, “Golpes en el Corazón” or “Blows to the Heart."

They have won six Latin Grammies and six Grammies, the last one in 2012 for MTV Unplugged: Los Tigres Del Norte and Friends. That landmark CD included performances with Columbian rock demigod Juanes, pop diva Paulina Rubio and even former Rage against the Machine frontman Zach de la Rocha.

Grandma passed away in late 2007 at the age of 93. So anytime I hear a Tigres song on the radio or see one of their videos on TV, I smile and think of her.

I hope she still listens to her favorite corridos as I do occasionally. Miss you lots, Grandma.