Al Hurricane obit

New Mexico Music Legend Al Hurricane Dies At 81

Known as "The Godfather of New Mexican Music," Hurricane blended native corrido and Tejano music with rock, pop and country

 He was not on the list.

New Mexico has lost one of its most influential musical legends. Al Hurricane, the man known as "The Godfather of New Mexican Music" died on Oct. 22. Hurricane was 81 years old.

According to Billboard, Hurricane's son revealed that his father's death was caused by complications related to a long battle with prostate cancer. Two years ago, Hurricane embarked on a farewell tour after announcing he had Stage 4 prostate cancer and kept performing through chemotherapy treatment.

Born in 1936 in Dixon, N.M., Hurricane's musical career began with performances in restaurants in Old Town Albuquerque.  He released his first recordings in 1962 with his band, Al Hurricane & The Night Rockers. In 1967 he released his first album, Mi Saxophone, containing the ballad "Sentimiento," which he wrote for his wife, that was eventually recorded by Latin pop superstar Selena.

During his career, Al Hurricane recorded more than 30 albums, received several awards and travelled the world with his music. His unique blend of traditional New Mexican musical elements with other popular genres as well as his integration of Spanish and English vocals contributed to a lasting legacy that lives on in his music and the many musicians he influenced.

Discography

Solo studio albums

Mi Saxophone (1968)

Canciones del Alma (1970)

Sigue Cantando (1971)

Corridos Canta (1972)

Instrumentales con Al Hurricane (1973)

Vestido Mojado (1976)

La Prision de Santa Fe (1980)

Exitos De Al Hurricane (1980?)

The Return of Al Hurricane "EL" Godfather (1992)

Sigue... "La Leyenda"!!! (1995)

The Legend of New Mexico (1999)

Siempre (2002)

¡Que Viva El Godfather! (2003)

Albuquerque (2007)

Hey Sugar Baby! (2010)

Studio albums with Tiny Morrie, Al Hurricane, Jr., Gloria Pohl, Baby Gaby, Lorenzo Antonio

Para Las Madrecitas with Tiny Morrie (1974)

Cantan Corridos with Al Hurricane Jr. (1979)

Madrecita, Te Debo Tanto with Tiny Morrie, Al Hurricane, Jr., Gloria Pohl, Baby Gaby, and Lorenzo Antonio (1979)

15 Exitos Rancheros with Tiny Morrie & Al Hurricane, Jr. (1986)

15 Exitos Rancheros, Vol. 2 with Tiny Morrie & Al Hurricane, Jr. (1994)

Studio albums with Bandido

Under the EMI Capitol and/or Discos Musart label, in the 1980s Al Hurricane released four albums with the supergroup Bandido.

 

Bandido (first release)

Bandido (second release)

Bandido (third release)

15 Exitos de Groupo Bandido

Live albums

A Tribute To Al Hurricane - Live, Vol. 1 (2008)

A Tribute To Al Hurricane - Live, Vol. 2 (2008)

Live at the Kimo – Vol.1 and Vol. 2 – with Al Hurricane, Jr. (2014)

Feliz Cumpleaños! Al Hurricane the 75th Birthday Concert (2015)

Documentaries with live performances

Al Hurricane: Native Legend (2000)

A Tribute To Al Hurricane (2008)

Compilation albums

15 Exitos Cumbias (2015)

15 Exitos Cumbias, Vol. 2 (2018)