Latin Rock & Hip-Hop Roots

Chicano rock of the '50s and '60s, like Ritchie Valens's "La Bamba" and ? and the Mysterians' "96 Tears" formed a significant part of the early rock canon. Santana's early output was at the core of the classic rock movement of the '60s, and bossa nova influenced the Doors' "Break on Through to the Other Side" and Steely Dan's "Rikki Don't Lose That Number."

Bugaloo, represented here by Ray Barretto and the California band Malo, was the Latin version of rock and soul. Funk classic "What Is Hip" was made famous by Bay Area Chicanos Tower of Power, and Roxy Music's guitarist Phil Manzanera, who later produced several rock en Español classics, has Colombian ancestry.

Indie, new wave and punk rockers like Mazzy Star, Oingo Boingo and the Zeros all featured Chicano members. Black Flag had Latino membership on and off, Suicidal Tendencies was a trailblazing hardcore band led by Latinos, and Carlos Alomar, David Bowie's side man during his "rock-disco" period, shows up playing on Iggy Pop's immortal "Lust for Life."

Latinos have played a major role in shaping rock and hip-hop in America. Some formed early rock bands in the '50s and '60s, some were original rappers in the '80s and '90s, and some just played guitar for the right people. Classic rock hits like Chris Montez's "Let's Dance" were covered by the Ramones; frat-boy anthem "Louie Louie" was based on a cha-cha by René Touzet. And did you know the guitarist and co-author of David Bowie's "Let's Dance" was a Puerto Rican guy from Harlem?