- Al Hurricane
Infobox musical artist
Name = Al Hurricane
Birth_name = Alberto Nelson Sanchez
Born = birth date and age|1936|7|10
Died =
Origin = flagicon|United States of America Dixon, New Mexico
Genre = Latin, Rancheras
Years Active = 1967-presentAlberto Nelson "Al Hurricane" Sanchez is a New Mexican Latin musician known as the "Godfather of New Mexico Music." He is a household name throughout
New Mexico due to his success in his home state.Biography
Early life
Alberto Nelson Sanchez was born in the small town of
Dixon, New Mexico and grew up in different parts ofArizona and New Mexico before moving toAlbuquerque in 1947. Sanchez had an early interest in music, starting to play guitar at the age of 5. It was then his mother gave him the nickname "hurricane" because he would run around the house, knocking things over. In 1954, Al graduated from Albuquerque High School. Five years later, his son Al Hurricane Jr. was born, later making his own impact in the New Mexico music scene.Musical Legacy
At the age of 12, Hurricane performed at a wishing well in Albuquerque's
Old Town for tips. Eight years later, he released his first album "Mi Saxophone." As Hurricane's career in music was beginning to flourish, he was involved in a major car accident while en route to a performance in Denver, CO and lost his right eye, forcing him to wear the eye patch he has become recognized for.In addition to his own band, Hurricane has also played guitar for legendary artists like
Fats Domino ,Marvin Gaye ,Jimmy Clanton , andChubby Checker .Al Hurricane is the reason why New Mexico music is so significant.
Present
Popularly known as the "Godfather of New Mexico music," Al Hurricane performs regularly in Albuquerque as well as other American cities. In addition, Hurricane has performed in Chicago, Miami, Paraguay, Argentina and Spain.
Albums
Since his first album in 1967, Hurricane has released 29 more albums with his latest in 2007. They were released in the following order: "Mi Saxophone", "Canciones Del Alma", "Sigue Cantando", "Corridos Canta Al Hurricane", "Instrumentales Con Al Hurricane", "Para Las Madrecitas", "Vestido Mojado", "Cantan Corridos", "La Prison de Santa Fe", "Madrecita, Te Debo Tanto", "Exitos De Al Hurricane," "Bandido (1)", "Bandido (2)", "15 Exitos Rancheros", "Bandido (3)", "The Return of Al Hurricane", "15 Exitos Ranchros Volume 2", Sigue... La Leyenda", "15 Exitos de Groupo Bandido", "The Legend of New Mexico", "Al Hurricane: Native legend", "Siempre", " Que Viva El Godfather", and the most recent, "Albuquerque".
Awards
Al Hurricane has received many awards throughout the course of his career, winning the Lifetime Achievement Award by the New Mexico Hispanic Awards Association, the Governor's Award For Music, and has a day declared "Al Hurricane Day" on May 5.
External links
* http://www.alhurricane.com/Al_biography.html
* http://www.alhurricane.com/Al_Hurricane_music.html
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