Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán- Page 1

In 2002, for the first time in over ten years, I put together a band to perform my original material. It was called Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán, a nine-piece band which at its inception included the following musicians: Mark Guerrero, lead vocals, rhythm and lead guitar, Ron Reyes, lead guitar, Leo Valenzuela, bass, Alex Armstrong, acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies, Tim Jones, keyboards, Steve Alaniz or Al Lopez, sax, Bobby Dominguez, drums, Johnny Guerrero, timbales, and Aaron Guerrero Routtenberg, congas. In the ensuing years other musicians have participated including Manuel Valdez, formerly of Los Illegals, on lead guitar, Karl Carrasco on keyboards, and Willie Loya on congas. The band performed from four-piece up to nine-piece depending on the situation. In 2008, I played several shows with a different lineup and decided to retire the name Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán and simply call the group the Mark Guerrero Band. Below and on the following page are highlights from the history of Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán and the ongoing history of the Mark Guerrero Band. This includes information on the music, a list of shows, and a concert archive with stories, flyers, photos, and videos.

The focus of the band's music are rock and Chicano-oriented songs I've written over the years from the early 70s to the present. The formula I'm using also includes two songs a set written by my Dad, legendary Chicano singer/songwriter, Lalo Guerrero. The reason I do this is threefold. The songs are great, they fit in perfectly with mine, and it gives me the opportunity to perpetuate his musical legacy. The songs in our current repertoire include the following songs:

1. Radio Aztlán
2. The Streets of East L.A.
3. Pre-Columbian Dream
4. Zoot Suit
5. Orale!
6. Los Chucos Suaves (Lalo Guerrero)
7. Oh Maria
8. On the Boulevard
9. The Great Mango
10. Tin Marin de do Pingue (Lalo Guerrero)
11. Room for the Latin (In Rock & Roll)
12. Mihijito
13. Latin Quarter
14. Face & Heart
15. Whitewash
16. Me Gusta El Cha Cha Cha (Lalo Guerrero)
17. Mexican Moon
18. Rosalie
19. Muy Sabroso Blues (Lalo Guerrero)
20. Ay Yi Yi Yi (Nobody Told Me)
21. I'm Brown
22. The Quest for Love
23. If I Could Touch Your Life
24. Rock & Roll Queen
25. Rockin' Like There's No Tomorrow

Below are concerts by Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán and the Mark Guerrero Band:

The Galaxy Theater- Santa Ana, California (July 20, 2002)
The Hop- Puente Hills, California (September 22, 2002)
La Placita Village- Tucson, Arizona (October 6, 2002)
Tucson Convention Center- Tucson, Arizona (March 1, 2003)
The Autry Museum of Western Heritage- Los Angeles, California (May 18, 2003)
John Anson Ford Amphitheater- Hollywood, California (October 4, 2003)
Arrowhead Credit Union Park- San Bernardino, California (November 1, 2003)
Autry National Museum- Los Angeles, California (September 18, 2004)
The John Anson Ford Amphitheater- Hollywood, California (October 16, 2004)
Grand Ballroom of the Kodak Theatre- Hollywood, California (November 5, 2004)
Dodge Theater- Phoenix, Arizona (April 17, 2005)
Fox Tucson Theater- Tucson, Arizona (March 3, 2006)
Universalist Unitarian Church- Riverside, California (June 3, 2006)
Los Angeles County Museum of Art- Los Angeles, California (June 24, 2006)
Charles F. Lummis Home and Garden- Highland Park, California (August 19, 2006)
Mr. Duran Show- Hacienda Heights, California- Adelphia Cable TV (March 11, 2008)
Pima Community College- Tucson, Arizona (March 18, 2008)
The Million Dollar Theater- Los Angeles, California (October 9, 2008)
Fiesta Days, O'Donnell Golf Club- Palm Springs, California (September 18, 2010)
Rudy's Baja Grill- East Los Angeles, California (October 19, 2012)
Cal State Los Angeles, State Playhouse- Los Angeles, California (December 7, 2013)

(During the time frame above Mark Guerrero also did solo concerts, reunion shows with my 60s band Mark & the Escorts and 70s band Tango, lecture/performances at universities and museums, and concerts as a member or guest with other artists such as the Cannibal & the Headhunters Band, Redbone, Yaqui, and El Chicano.)

On December 7, 2013, Mark Guerrero performed in concert at his alma mater, Cal State Los Angeles. Mark played an acoustic set of his music, some backed vocally by Ernie Hernandez and the legendary Geree Gonzalez, and an electric set backed by a five-piece band consisting of Ron Reyes (guitar), Jimi Seville (keyboard), Louis Ruiz (bass), Manny Lizardo (drums), and Marco Palos (sax). The acoustic set featured Mark's songs "Pre-Columbian Dream" and "Viva Dolores," backed vocally by Geree Gonzalez; "Mexican Moon" and "Ay Yi Yi Yi (Nobody Told Me)" backed vocally by Geree and Ernie Hernandez; "Spiritual Psychic Church" and "When the Population Shifts" solo; and "Mihijita, lead vocal by Geree Gonzalez and backed vocally by Mark and Ernie. During Mark's solo set he also performed his father's (Lalo Guerrero) parodies "Tacos For Two" and "No Chicanos On TV."

The electric set featured Mark's music, but also three of his father's songs, "Los Chucos Suaves," "Muy Sabroso Blues," and "Tin Marin de do Pingue." Mark's songs performed during the electric set included "On the Boulevard," "I'm Brown," "The Streets of East L.A.," "The Great Mango," "Oh Maria," "Zoot Suit," and" Orale." He also performed "Get Your Baby," an instrumental he recorded with his teenage band Mark & the Escorts in the 60s. "Get Your Baby" has became an "Eastside Sound" and garage rock classic, appearing on at least six compilation albums. The concert was one of the events surrounding the exhibit, "American Sabor- Latinos In U.S. Popular Music," which was in the Fine Arts Gallery located in the Fine Arts building on the campus of Cal State L.A. The exhibit ran through February 9, 2014.

On October 19, 2012, Mark Guerrero performed on the bill with Salvador Santana, son of Carlos Santana at Rudy's Baja Grill in East L.A. For the show, Mark put together a small combo to back him which included Dale Villavicencio of Tierra on percussion, Steve Alaniz on sax, John Valenzuela on guitar, and Leo Valenzuela on bass. Mark's set included his songs "The Streets of East L.A.," "On the Boulevard," "Zoot Suit," "Orale!," "Oh Maria," and "I'm Brown," along with his father's songs "Los Chucos Suaves," "Muy Sabroso Blues," and "Tin Marin de do Pingue." Salvador Santana, who's an excellent rapper and awesome keyboardist, led his great band through a set of funky grooves.

Mark Guerrero & Salvador Santana

Mark & band at Rudy's Baja Grill

(left to right-
Steve Alaniz, Mark Guerrero, John Valenzuela, Leo Valenzuela, and Dale Villavicencio)

Video of Mark performing "Oh Maria" at Rudy's Baja Grill

"Oh Maria"
words & music by Mark Guerrero

Palm Springs Fiesta Days: a Celebration of Latino Culture & Heritage
O'Donnell Golf Club
Palm Springs, California
September 18, 2010

Concerts took place on Saturday and Sunday, September 18th and 19th, 2010 at the O'Donnell Golf Club in Palm Springs, CA.. 4 pm to 10 pm. The musical lineup included: On Saturday, September 18th- Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, Los Fabulocos featuring Kid Ramos, Mark Guerrero, Frankie Garcia's Cannibal & the Headhunters, El Chicano, and Tierra. On Sunday, September 19th- Mariachi Serenata, The Blazers, Lala, MC Magic, Quetzal, and Malo featuring Jorge Santana.

On October 9, 2008 there was a premiere of the documentary "Chicano Rock: The Sounds of East L.A," which aired on PBS in 2009 and beyond. Before the screening there was a "live" show featuring Pachuco Jose y Los Diamantes, Mark Guerrero, Rudy & Steve Salas of Tierra, and the Frankie Garcia's Cannibal & the Headhunters Band.

On Tuesday, March 18th, 2008, the Mark Guerrero Band performed at Pima Community College for LULAC's 19th Annual Leadership Conference. Mark was backed by the Cannibal & the Headhunters Band: Ronnie Reyes, guitar; Karl Carrasco, keyboard; Art Sanchez, bass: and Robert Zapata, drums. Mark was on lead vocals, guitar and keyboard.

Video of Mark performing "The Streets of East L.A." at the Pima Community College

On August 19th, 2006, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán performed at the historic Charles F. Lummis Home and Garden in Highland Park, California. We performed one set for the Los Angeles Historical Society. The event was to raise funds for its programs, which include an effort to save the hundred year old classic Victorian home. It was by invitation only from the Historical society. Charles Fletcher Lummis was a man of many talents, who lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He was a Native American rights activist, writer, City Librarian, translator, and ethnographer. He was knighted by the king of Spain for his writings on Spain in America. He also founded the Southwest Museum in Highland Park, which beautifully displays Native American artifacts of various tribes. We performed as a six-piece band. The band members who backed me were Ron Reyes on guitar, Karl Carrasco on keyboard, Leo Valenzuela on bass, Bobby Dominguez on drums, and Johnny Guerrero on congas and timbales.

On June 24th, 2006, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán performed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The concert was outdoors in the park and was part of a summer concert series called "Latin Sounds." The series launched in conjunction with LACMA`s Latin American Art Initiative, Latin Sounds offers free eclectic music from various regions throughout Latin America. LACMA`s Latin American Art Initiative was established, in collaboration with the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center (CSRC), to create a greater understanding of Chicano and Latino arts and cultures for the wider public through varied programs at the museum. The concert went extremely well. The band played great and I was in good voice. The turnout was very good and included my former producer from my days with A&M Records, Joe Wissert. Joe, who also produced albums by artists such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, Gordon Lightfoot, Boz Scaggs, and The Turtles, showed up and surprised me. I hadn't seen him since 1973. Other fellow musicians and friends also came out to the concert. We did two sets of my music, with two Lalo Guerrero songs per set.

On June 3, 2006, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán played at the Universalist Unitarian Church in Riverside, California, June 3, 2006 for a benefit for poet/ writer/educator, Alfredo Arteaga, who was soon to undergo heart surgery. Alfredo taught Chicano studies courses at U.C. Berkeley. Mark spoke about Chicano music at one of his classes in April of 2005. Alfred Arteaga passed away in July 2008.

On Friday, March 3, 2006, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán, performed at the Fox Tucson Theater for a tribute to my late father, Lalo Guerrero. The event was called "Homenaje: La Vida de Lalo Guerrero and included musical artists performing Lalo Guerrero songs and people talking about Lalo. Performers were Olga Guzman-Flores and Trio Los Galanes, Ramirez, Ronstadt and The Santa Cruz River Band, Teatro Orgullo, and the young mariachi, Los Changuitos Feos. The master of ceremonies was Tucson journalist and radio host, Neto Portillo. Speakers included Tucson journalist Dan Buckley, author Patricia Preciado Martin, and my brother, Dan Guerrero. I had a slimmed down version of my band, four piece, instead of the usual nine. We performed three of my dad's songs, "Los Chucos Suaves, " "Muy Sabroso Blues," and "Tin Marin de do Pingue." The full house enjoyed the heartfelt presentations of all the artists and speakers.

Performing at Nuestros Raices Literary Arts Festival

(left to right- Bobby Dominguez, Rob Paulus, Mark Guerrero, and Alex Armstrong)

On Sunday, April 17, 2005, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán performed at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Arizona. It's a state of the art theater with a seating capacity of 5,500 people. The occasion was the first annual Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame (AMEHOF) induction ceremony. The twenty one inductees included Glen Campbell, Jessi Colter, Dyke and the Blazers (of "Funky Funky Broadway" fame), and posthumously Waylon Jennings, Marty Robbins, and my dad, Lalo Guerrero. I performed two of my dad's songs with a trimmed-down version of my 9-piece band. For this occasion I had a 5-piece band, which included Bobby Dominguez on drums, Leo Valenzuela on bass, Steve Alaniz on tenor sax, and local Phoenix musician Ralphy Chaverria on grand piano. Ralphy did a superb job. We did "Los Chucos Suaves" and "Tin Marin de do Pingue" to great response. It was a particularly emotional performance since my dad had passed away only a month prior to the event. My brother Dan and I received the award on behalf of my dad after the screening of a brilliant two minute video of my dad's life and career put together by my brother. The musical lineup was as culturally diverse as Arizona itself, with country western, soul, and Latin artists performing. The brotherhood between the artists was tremendous. Goth rock pioneer and legend Alice Cooper was also in attendance and participated in an induction, which added a surreal element to the festivities. The finale was a reprise of "Funky Funky Broadway" by Dyke and the Blazers with me, Leo, and many others joining in. Visit the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame website at azmusichalloffame.org.

Video of Mark performing "Tin Marin de do Pingue"
at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Arizona

On Friday, November 5, 2004, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán performed at the Grand Ballroom of the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, CA. The occasion was the MALDEF 30th annual Los Angeles Gala. MALDEF is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and promote the civil rights of more than 40 million Latinos living in the United States. The event was hosted by comedian Richard Montoya, a member of the comedy trio Culture Clash. Also performing was 18 year old vocalist, Georgina Concepcion. She has a multi-octave range and is rightfully known as "The Girl with the Golden Voice." Awards were also given, most notably a posthumous Lifetime achievement award to journalist Frank Del Olmo.

On Saturday, October 16, 2004, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán performed at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater in Hollywood, CA. Also on the bill were El Chicano, Mi Tierra Dance Company, and Quetzal Guerrero (no relation). It was a "Day of the Dead Celebration" produced by Rodri Entertainment. We played a 45 minute set, which included a new song I wrote for the "Day of the Dead" theme of the occasion, entitled "Dia de Los Muertos." Also among the 13-song set was "Face & Heart," which is a song we played "live" for only the second time. It's one of my early songs about the Aztecs, which also touches on the theme of the concert. It was one of the best shows we've ever done and the audience response was tremendous. Unfortunately, after we finished our set it started to rain very hard and El Chicano was unable to perform. See ad below.

Video of Mark performing "Pre-Columbian Dream" at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater

On Saturday, September 18, 2004, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán performed in the plaza of the Autry National Museum at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, CA. Also on the bill were Lalo Guerrero, Quetzal, an all female jarocho group called Candela, with the all student group Son del Centro. The event was called "Si Se Puede! Dance, Sing, Empower: The Chicano Music Scene." Artists, poets, and writers were also included, as well as booths and displays containing memorabilia, history, and information. It was an excellent show on a beautiful L.A. night, with a great audience who loved the music and reveled in the spirit of the occasion.

Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán at the Autry National Museum (September 18, 2004)

(left to right- Ron Reyes, Karl Carrasco, Johnny Guerrero, Mark Guerrero, Bobby Dominguez, Alex Armstrong, Aaron Guerrero Routtenberg,
Gilbert Hansen (behind Aaron), and Al Lopez)

Latin Oldies Festival
Arrowhead Credit Union Park
San Bernardino, California
November 1, 2003

On Saturday, November 1, 2003, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán performed at the Latin Oldies 2003 Festival at Arrowhead Credit Union Park in San Bernardino, CA. The lineup included Tierra, Thee Midniters with special guest Little Willie G., El Chicano, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán, East L.A. Revue All Stars featuring the Premiers, the Best of Everything, and Cauldron.

Lalo Guerrero Tribute
John Anson Ford Amphitheater
Hollywood, California
October 4, 2003

On Saturday, October 4, 2003, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán performed at the Lalo Guerrero Tribute at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, October 4, 2003. The venue is a beautiful 1241 seat outdoor amphitheater. Guest artists included Lalo Guerrero, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán, Liz Torrez, Richard Montoya of Culture Clash, Trio Los Panchos, Dyana Ortelli, Mi Tierra Dance Company, and a mariachi from the Mariachi USA Foundation. I sang four of my dad's songs with my band; "Los Chucos Suaves," "Me Gusta El Cha Cha Cha," "Muy Sabroso Blues," "Tin Marin De Do Pingue," and a tribute song I wrote called "The Ballad of Lalo Guerrero." We also backed Liz Torrez on "There's No Tortillas," Richard Montoya on "No Chicanos On TV," and my dad on his song of Chicano pride, "El Chicano." Net proceeds went to benefit Mariachi USA. The event was presented by Rodri Entertainment.

Video of Mark performing "The Ballad of Lalo Guerrero" at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater

On Sunday, May 18, 2003, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán performed at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Los Angeles. It's purpose was to launch the documentary, "Chicano Rock!," by Jon and Nancy Wilkman, inspired by the book "Land of a Thousand Dances" by David Reyes and Tom Waldman. We played six of my songs and then backed up my dad, Lalo Guerrero, on three more. Also on the bill were Chicano rock legends, Thee Midniters. Rudy Salas, leader of Tierra, sat in for a few songs with Thee Midniters, including a rendition of Tierra's hit song "Together." There were also two screenings of a ten minute portion of the documentary in progress and a lecture by Reyes and Waldman. Ruben Molina also spoke about his book, "The Old Barrio Guide to Low Rider Music." It was a daytime, outdoor concert that had a good turnout. Some of the musical notables in the audience were guitar legend Ry Cooder, Ruben Guevara (formerly of Ruben & the Jets), future mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa, 1960s manager/producer, Billy Cardenas, and all three of my former band mates of my 1970s band Tango (Richard Rosas, John Valenzuela, and Ernie Hernandez).

Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán backing Lalo Guerrero
Autry Museum of Western Heritage (May 18, 2003)

(left to right- Lalo Guerrero, Mark Guerrero, Al Lopez (behind Mark), Johnny Guerrero (behind Al), Ron Reyes, and Alex Armstrong) [also performing, but not in photo- Tim Jones, Bobby Dominguez, and Aaron Routtenberg-Guerrero]

Video of Mark performing "The Streets of East L.A." at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage

On March 1, 2003, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán played in Tucson, Arizona at the 3rd Annual Mayor's Costume Ball For the Arts at the Tucson Convention Center. The proceeds benefited the Artists and Arts Organizations served by the Tucson-Pima Arts Council. We also backed up my dad, Lalo Guerrero, on three songs. My dad was there as the honored guest and received an award from Mayor Bob Walkup. Also in attendance was singing legend, Linda Ronstadt, who grew up in Tucson and is a part time resident.

The band cutting up after the gig
(Hotel Congress)

left to right- Bobby Dominguez, Alex Armstrong, Leo Valenzuela,
Mark Guerrero, Tim Jones, and Ronnie Reyes

On Sunday, October 6, 2002 Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán headlined a concert at La Placita Village in downtown Tucson, Arizona. It was a beautiful outdoor setting, where we introduced four new songs to our repertoire and had a great time. Tucson is a very hip town. The night we arrived, Al Dimeola was appearing at the Rialto Theater. We caught part of his show and later he and his band were hanging out in the lobby/bar area of the historic Hotel Congress, where we were staying. (The Rialto is right across the street from the Hotel Congress). In the nightclub of our hotel, Steve Wynn, formerly of the 80s band Dream Syndicate, was playing with his current band. They were in town recording a new CD and staying at the hotel at no charge in exchange for playing a free show. The night we performed at La Placita Village, also appearing in town were John Mayall, at the Rialto, and Tony Bennett, at Casino del Sol. We also did a live performance and interview at KXCI FM radio the afternoon of our concert.

Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán at La Placita Village (October 6, 2003)

(left to right- Bobby Dominguez, Mark Guerrero, Alex Armstrong, Ron Reyes,
Leo Valenzuela, Tim Jones, and Aaron Guerrero Routtenberg)

On Sunday, September 22, 2002 Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán played at The Hop in Puente Hills, California. We were on the bill for the second time with Malo and Tierra (see the flyer below). The concert was a sellout and an artistic success for all three bands. The response from the audience was enthusiastic all night long. Some of the notables in attendance were legendary guitarist Andy Tesso (formerly of the Romancers), Jimmy Espinoza of Thee Midniters, and David Reyes, co-author of the book "Land of a Thousand Dances."

Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán at The Hop (September 22, 2002)

(left to right- Aaron Guerrero-Routtenberg, Ron Reyes, Johnny Guerrero, Bobby Dominguez, Mark Guerrero, Leo Valenzuela, and Alex Armstrong (partially hidden)

Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán's first performance was Saturday, July 20, 2002 at The Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, California. We were on the bill with Malo and Tierra for that show as well. Our set included nine of my songs, as well as a couple of my dad's, legendary Chicano singer/songwriter Lalo Guerrero. We did a tight show we were extremely happy with and received an excellent response from the sold out house. Malo followed with a powerhouse set, led by original member Arcelio Garcia on lead vocals. They had the house dancing and groovin' and closed their set with their classic hit, "Suavecito." Tierra closed the show with a phenomenal set, which included a display of great musicianship and showmanship. They donned zoot suits at one point and a sax lit up with rolling lights during a hot solo. Rudy Villa (one of their two sax players) also did a great comic impression of the late rhythm & blues DJ, Wolfman Jack, wig and all. They did a great version of one of my favorite Tierra recordings, "Mi Gente," and closed the show with their classic hit, "Together." The Galaxy Theater was jumpin' all night long and the people, including myself, had a great time.

Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán at The Galaxy Theater (July 20, 2002)

left to right- Aaron Routtenberg-Guerrero, Johnny Guerrero, Tim Jones, Ronnie Reyes,
Bobby Dominguez, Mark Guerrero, Alex Armstrong, Leo Valenzuela, and Al Lopez

In 1991, I put together what was the first version of Radio Aztlán. Due to some personal circumstances, it only lasted for a few months during which time we recorded a few demos, played a show on January 12, 1991 at the historic La Golondrina Cafe at Olvera Street in Los Angeles, and were the house band on a live show called "Noche de Risa y Susto," that featured Cheech Marin, Rita Moreno, Paul Rodriguez, George Lopez, Culture Clash, Carlos Mencia, and others. The band members were Mark Guerrero (guitar, keyboard, and lead vocals), Ron Reyes (lead guitar), Bill Reyes (drums), Leo Valenzuela (bass), and Alex Armstrong (guitar and background vocals). Ron, Leo, and Alex were all to be in Radio Aztlán when it resumed eleven years later in 2002.