Pioneering figure in Mexican American country music, Johnny Rodriguez, passed away on May 9 at the age of 73, his daughter Aubry Rae Rodriguez confirmed on Instagram. He was surrounded by family at the time of his passing.
Rodriguez had begun receiving hospice care earlier in the week. His daughter announced his passing on social media on May 10, honoring him with a tribute.
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Johnny Rodriguez, who left us peacefully on May 9th, surrounded by family,” Aubry wrote on Instagram. “Dad was not only a legendary musician whose artistry touched millions around the world, but also a deeply loved husband, father, uncle, and brother whose warmth, humor, and compassion shaped the lives of all who knew him.”
Rodriguez, originally named Juan Raul Davis Rodriguez, was born in Sabinal, Texas in 1951. He gained recognition as one of the first Hispanic artists to find success in country music, blending traditional country with Tejano influences to create a unique sound.
His career started with an unexpected opportunity. At age 18, while briefly jailed for a minor offense, a Texas Ranger heard him singing and informed music promoter Happy Shahan. This led to performances at Shahan’s Alamo Village, where country musicians Bobby Bare and Tom T. Hall discovered him. Hall assisted him in moving to Nashville, Tennessee, where he joined Hall’s band as a guitarist before signing with Mercury Records in 1972.
Rodriguez’s first album, “Introducing Johnny Rodriguez,” was released in 1973 and climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. The album included the hit single “Pass Me By (If You’re Only Passing Through)” and was nominated for Album of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Between 1973 and 1978, Rodriguez achieved significant success, securing six No. 1 hit singles and 20 Top 10 entries on the U.S. country charts. His notable songs included “You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me),” “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico,” “That’s the Way Love Goes,” “I Just Can’t Get Her Out Of My Mind,” “Just Get Up and Close the Door,” and “Love Put a Song in My Heart.”
The Academy of Country Music recognized him as Most Promising Male Vocalist in 1973. Throughout his career, he received various nominations, including Male Vocalist of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards.
Rodriguez stood out for incorporating his Mexican American heritage into his music. He sometimes included Spanish verses and combined mariachi and Tex-Mex elements with country music. In an interview for Ken Burns’ documentary series “Country Music,” Rodriguez remarked on the connection between his musical influences, stating that the two traditions “said almost the same thing, just in different languages.”
His influence extended beyond the country music scene, performing for multiple U.S. presidents, including Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush, and playing at Bush’s inaugural ball. In 2007, he was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, joining other distinguished artists like Buddy Holly, Buck Owens, and Willie Nelson.
Rodriguez’s personal life included three marriages. His first marriage was to Linda Diann Patterson, a flight attendant. His second marriage was to Lana Nelson, daughter of Willie Nelson, in 1995, though it lasted only seven months. In 1998, he married Debbie McNeely, a hair salon owner from San Marcos, Texas, and they had a daughter, Aubry, in the same year.
Despite his career achievements, Rodriguez encountered personal challenges. In August 1998, he was charged with the murder of a 28-year-old man, whom he mistook for a burglar in his mother’s home. A jury acquitted him in October 1999. He also struggled with substance abuse but overcame his addictions to cocaine and alcohol.
Even as his commercial success declined, Rodriguez continued to perform, especially in Texas. His contributions to the country music genre paved the way for other Hispanic artists.
Earlier this year, Rodriguez’s legacy was carried on by his daughter Aubry, who released her debut single “Pass Me By” with Vinny Tovar, as a tribute to her father’s impact on her music.
In her announcement of his passing, Aubry described her father as an “extraordinary talent” and “irreplaceable,” requesting privacy for the family as they navigate their loss.
Rodriguez is survived by his daughter Aubry, who continues to honor his musical influence.