Commentary: Chicano Rock!

By Mona AlvaradoFrazier / Guest contributor

I love museums, big ones, dinky ones, modern, old, doesn’t matter. And I love most music, oldies, new stuff, R & B, even some rap (my kids could not believe me when I played Eminem and Snoop Dog a few years ago) but back to the point. When a museum offers a historical look at music, culture, and its impact on the present that’s all it takes to get my attention. Such was the special function at the Museum of Ventura County in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Chicano Rock! The Sounds of East Los Angeles,” written and produced by Emmy award winner Jon Wilkman screened in the Pavilion Room of the Museum. The documentary was the highlight of the event, which included an invitational classic car show, music by songwriter Mark Guerrero, son of the great Lalo Guerrero and a panel discussion.

The film tells the inspiring story of how generations of young people in America’s largest Mexican American community, East Los Angeles, were caught between two cultures and not fully accepted in either one. These issues of identity, heritage, and the social-political issues of the era created a unique musical voice.

The film, based on a book by Tom Waldman and David Reyes, is fascinating. In Land of A Thousand Dances, the authors trace the history of Chicano music in Los Angeles from the 1940’s corridos, boleros and Rhythm and Blues to Rock and Revolution during the 1970’s. Waldman and Reyes document the musical history of legendary Lalo Guerrero, Cannibal and the Headhunters, the era of “Chicano Power,”  to the music of Tierra and Los Lobos.

During the film, I went down memory lane with the Oldies my cousins listened to: Richie Valens, Thee Midniters, Premier’s and others. Then we proceeded to the late sixties and the East LA marches, Brown Berets, and cruising.

The next era was new to me. I think I was still listening to Tierra, War, and a variety of other music when the Plugz, Los Illegals, and Brat entered the scene. Either that or I didn’t listen because it was punk rock. The documentary ended with Los Lobos, who are still going strong, and Ozomatli. It’s time to see a third edition of the book Land of A Thousand Dances to Chicano music from 1995 to 2010 as well as an updated “Chicano Rock!” documentary.

The Museum of Ventura County did a wonderful job of organizing this event and I look forward to more programs that reflect the cultural heritage of the diverse communities in Ventura County.

And don’t forget to go to the new Agriculture Museum at 926 Railroad Ave. in Santa Paula, California 93061. Their exhibit “Bees, Bugs and Tractors” will delight the children.