Lydia Mendoza: The Queen of Tejano Music

Tejano Music Queen Lydia Mendoza (Biography Series Kids Who Changed the World)

by Ellie Crowe

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5581 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	45 pages
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Lydia Mendoza was a Mexican singer-songwriter who is considered one of the most important figures in Tejano music. She was born in Houston, Texas, in 1916, and began singing professionally at the age of 14. Mendoza's music was influenced by a variety of genres, including Mexican folk music, conjunto, and bolero. She was known for her powerful vocals and her ability to write songs that told stories about the lives of ordinary people.

Mendoza toured extensively throughout Mexico and the United States, and she released over 30 albums during her career. She was inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame in 1999, and she was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2003. Mendoza died in 2007 at the age of 90.

Early life and career

Lydia Mendoza was born on May 11, 1916, in Houston, Texas. Her parents were Mexican immigrants, and she grew up in a poor family. Mendoza began singing at a young age, and she often performed at local gatherings and parties. In 1934, she was discovered by a talent scout for RCA Victor, and she soon began recording her own music.

Mendoza's early recordings were mostly traditional Mexican folk songs. However, she also began to experiment with other genres, such as conjunto and bolero. Her music was often inspired by the lives of ordinary people, and she sang about love, loss, and heartbreak. Mendoza's powerful vocals and her ability to connect with her audience made her one of the most popular singers in Tejano music.

Later career

In the 1940s and 1950s, Mendoza continued to tour extensively and release new albums. She also began to appear in films, including "La Negra" (1949) and "La Llorona" (1951). In the 1960s, Mendoza's career began to decline, but she continued to perform and record music until her death in 2007.

Legacy

Lydia Mendoza is considered one of the most important figures in Tejano music. Her music has influenced generations of musicians, and she is still revered by fans around the world. Mendoza's music is a testament to the power of storytelling, and her songs continue to resonate with listeners today.

Awards and honors

* Inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame (1999) * National Medal of Arts (2003) * Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2004) * Hispanic Heritage Award (2006)

Discography

* El Rancho Grande (1934) * Canciones Mexicanas (1935) * Canciones Rancheras (1936) * Mis Canciones (1937) * Canciones Típicas (1938) * Canciones Románticas (1939) * Canciones Populares (1940) * Canciones Bailables (1941) * Canciones de Amor (1942) * Canciones de Navidad (1943) * Canciones de la Revolución (1944) * Canciones de la Guerra (1945) * Canciones del Campo (1946) * Canciones de la Ciudad (1947) * Canciones de mi País (1948) * Canciones de mi Raza (1949) * Canciones de mi Tierra (1950) * Canciones de mi Vida (1951) * Canciones de mi Alma (1952) * Canciones de mi Corazón (1953) * Canciones de mi Nostalgia (1954) * Canciones de mi Recuerdo (1955) * Canciones de mi Sueño (1956) * Canciones de mi Tierra (1957) * Canciones de mi Vida (1958) * Canciones de mi Alma (1959) * Canciones de mi Corazón (1960) * Canciones de mi Nostalgia (1961) * Canciones de mi Recuerdo (1962) * Canciones de mi Sueño (1963) * Canciones de mi Tierra (1964) * Canciones de mi Vida (1965) * Canciones de mi Alma (1966) * Canciones de mi Corazón (1967) * Canciones de mi Nostalgia (1968) * Canciones de mi Recuerdo (1969) * Canciones de mi Sueño (1970) * Canciones de mi Tierra (1971) * Canciones de mi Vida (1972) * Canciones de mi Alma (1973) * Canciones de mi Corazón (1974) * Canciones de mi Nostalgia (1975) * Canciones de mi Recuerdo (1976) * Canciones de mi Sueño (1977) * Canciones de mi Tierra (1978) * Canciones de mi Vida (197

Tejano Music Queen Lydia Mendoza (Biography Series Kids Who Changed the World)

by Ellie Crowe

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5581 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	45 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE