Bobby Espinosa of El Chicano dies at 60

Bobby Espinosa, a founding member and keyboard player for El Chicano, the East L.A. band that had Top-40 hits in the 1970s with "Viva Tirado" and "Tell Her She's Lovely," died Saturday night at White Memorial Hospital. He was 60.

We'll have more later here, but for now enjoy this clip from YouTube of "Viva Tirado."

-- Claire Noland

Comments

[fernie diaz]

We will miss you bobby i enjoyed playing with you in the 80s, you are great keyboard player rest in peace

[Manny Esparza]

Bobby,
Just saw u @ the Montebello Street Scean, we
talked about back in the day. Talked about getting something together. Now your'er in ROCK & ROLL heaven. You still are a great musician and I will always remember and keep
your memories alive through your music. Rest In Peace My Brother!!
With Deepest Sympathy, Manny Esparza

[apacheinga]

So many weddings, so many parties, so many hours dancing !
Thanx! And to your family and friends remember you will meet again!

[Michelle Anthony]

Cousin Bobby just saw you last May and it was great. You will be missed by all the Lopez Clan... You are with my dad & Lele now

[Lindsay & Debbie Lopez]

♥ R.I.P. My uncle Bobby, I will never forget that you changed Latino Musica! I will ALWAYS rember when I was three years old, and my mom, Jacki and me went to your concert!! It was then you deticated the song "BROWN EYED GIRL" to me, I will forver have that night in my heart!!! Have fun laughing with my TATA and drinking tailque with him too! ♥ Love Lindsay

Uncle Bobby was how my dad Vincent referred to mr el chicano and shared stories of my dad and bobby playing music and shooing others away at a young age. They were making music my father was vincent carillo lopez, nephew to bobbys mom marie lopez or aka aunt lele my father and my family always enjoyed the music and latin sound he gave long before we were known as hispanic or mex descent. We were chicano or chicana thank god viva la raza!! From his legacy and true history there was nothing like listening to war, malo and tierra. Wheather it be in the park with my dad or listening at the clubs. I will miss my uncle bobby and thank god for family! My love and prayers to family and friends.

VIVA EL CHICANO FOREVER!
Love Debbie Lopez

[ESE' RICARDO JARA]

EL CHICANO, MALO, SANTANA, AZTECA, SAPO AND TOO MANY TO LIST WERE THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE CHICANO COMMUNITY, THEY FOLLOWED OLDIES AND OUR PARENTS MUSICA MEXICANA' WHICH WE ALL LOVE, WE ARE ALL SAYING A PRAYER FOR THE ENTIRE ESPINOSA FAMILLIA , WE DEDICATE HIS SONG "THE LATIN ONE" TO ALL CHICANOS ALL OVER THE WORLD AT 1:00pm this Saturday, BOBBY WILL ALWAYS BE IN NUSTRA CORAZONES Y ALMAS, EL CHICANO'S MUSICA ES POR VIDA, , TO THE EPINOS FAMILLIA TAKE COMFORT IN KNOWING BOBBYS Y SU MUSICA IS PLAYED ALL OVER ESTE MUNDO.
BOBBY IS EN EL CIELO CON DIOS, AND THEY ARE CRUISING AROUND TOGETHER. ESE' RICARDO JARA DE MOUNTAIN VIEW CALIFAS.

[jerry lopez]

To my special cousin Bobby Espinosa.
We will all miss you very much. Me My wife Donna, and my grandson Shawn had a great time at the greak when you performed last year.

Jerry lopez

[Jerry Lopez (Genaro)]

To my special cousin Bobby
Your performance at the GREAK THEATRE was great.
From:Jerry, Donna & Shawn.

[Jim Martinez]

I have had the opprotunity to work with El Chicano 11 years ago on a video shoot, I have known about them when i was a kid and I loved Bobby, he was a great soul and I followed EC in the 2000's and got to be a good friend of Bobby. I was in Chicago, where I now live and work and my friend Greg Esparaza of Thee Midniters told me the news. It was hard to take and I will say a continual prayer for his family and friends.Bobby is in a better place..God Bless Bobby and now you are walking with God and HIS angels...Jamie(Jim)Ricci-Martinez II, Chicago,Illinois,USA