Trini Lopez, 1960s- Era Singer Mentored By Sinatra, Dies

[appalachiablue]

Source: AP News

By Russell Contreras and Hillel Italie, 3 mins ago.

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Trini Lopez, a singer and guitarist who gained fame for his versions of “Lemon Tree” and “If I Had a Hammer” in the 1960s and took his talents to Hollywood, died Tuesday. He was 83.

Filmmaker P. David Ebersole, who just finished shooting a documentary on Lopez with Todd Hughes, confirmed that Lopez died from complications of COVID-19 at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California.

Mentored by Buddy Holly and Frank Sinatra, Lopez became an international star while performing in English and Spanish. Unlike Mexican American singers such as Ritchie Valens, Lopez rejected advice to change his name and openly embraced his Mexican American heritage despite warnings it would hurt his career.

“I insisted on keeping my name Lopez,” he told The Dallas Morning News in 2017. “I’m proud to be a Lopez. I’m proud to be a Mexicano.” Born Trinidad Lopez III to immigrants from Guanajuato, Mexico, Lopez grew up in Dallas’ poor, Little Mexico neighborhood. The family’s dire economic situation forced Lopez to drop out of high school and work...


Read more: https://apnews.com/49e05165e18bc84ce6e38901bbbad077

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Jan. 1, 2002 photo of Trini Lopez in Dallas.

[hlthe2b]

1. COVID-19 takes another. RIP, sir. My late Mother really liked you.

[tblue37]

2. Saw him in concert in 1965. He was great. nt

[634-5789]

3. Pouring One Out.

RIP, Brother, You did good. 🌹

[PlanetBev]

4. He also recorded his own version of La Bamba

Just as good as the Richie Valens version, in my opinion.

[Dave Starsky]

9. I liked it, too.

Very high energy. Trini was muy cool.

[2naSalit]

5. I was a big fan back in the day...

I had no idea he was still alive. Now I'm sad that he died from Covid19.

RIP, man. Your music was a balm to my soul back then.

[Cha]

19. Me too.. hard to believe how time flies!

RIP~Trini Lopez

[Talitha]

6. Damn....

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Lemon Tree, Very Pretty!

I liked that song when I was a little kid!
RIP, Trini.

[Marthe48]

8. R.I.P.

I liked him when I was growing up. We got 3 channels on TV and music from Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Trini Lopez, Harry belafonte and so many others dominated the variety shows and even some of the radio stations people in my family listened to. Pleasant memories.

[Dave Starsky]

10. For all you youngsters who don't know Trini...

Dave Grohl plays a custom Trini Lopez Model Gibson. It's his favorite guitar.

[milestogo]

25. Who is Dave Grohl?

[Dave Starsky]

26. Front man/guitarist for an obscure group called Foo Fighters.

After a stint drumming for another even more obscure group called Nerv... Nerve something. Nerve Vanna, I think.

[milestogo]

27. The group that got on my nerves.

[wolfie001]

28. Because they mercifully ended '80s glam rock?

Single-handedly I might add. lol

[niyad]

11. Requiescat in pace, Trinidad Lopez III. Your music brought such joy.

[sinkingfeeling]

12. R.I.P.

[oasis]

13. Rest in peace Trini, you brought light to our world.

[Steelrolled]

14. It's a blizzard!

Fresca!

[Warpy]

16. Lit a few of his conc3erts ages ago

He always brought special energy to the stage.

I also applauded him for not becoming Tim Lewis.

RIP, Trini. You did good.

[Tommymac]

15. Godspeed Trini

Thanks for the wonderful vibes...both musically and spiritually.

[CatWoman]

17. ....

[nuxvomica]

18. This is very sad as he was so popular among us kids in the '60s

His music was fun, full of energy, and memorable, especially Lemon Tree.

[Raine]

20. Sad news ... R-I-P Trini 😢

[Submariner]

21. R.I.P. to one of the "Dirty Dozen"

[SunSeeker]

22. He died trying to tell people about Covid-19.

Singer Trini Lopez, who enjoyed a heyday in the 1960s with hits including “If I Had a Hammer” and “This Land Is Your Land,” died Tuesday from complications related to coronavirus, collaborators said. He was 83.

Lopez had been in and out of a hospital setting for about six weeks before dying about 5 a.m. at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California, said songwriting partner Joe Chavira.

The last song Lopez wrote with Chavira, "If By Now," was performed for a half-hour coronavirus fundraiser expected to air over the weekend on local television in Chavira's home city of Santa Barbara, he said.

"He passed trying to tell people about COVID," he said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/60s-crooner-trini-lopez-83-dies-while-battling-coronavirus-n1236479

[Manifestor_of_Light]

23. Oh that's sad!

I had a crush on him back in '67 or whenever it was. I had crushes on lots of singers, like 3/4 of the Beatles, 1/2 of the Monkees & John Sebastian.

There was a big Democratic wingding at the Astrodome, I think it was in '68. I guess it was a campaign appearance by Humphrey. In the audience down by the stage, I think I spotted Luci Baines Johnson and Lyndon's first grandchild, also named Lyndon.

Trini sang and I was in LOVE!!! I remember my dad telling me that Trini was a poor boy from Dallas. I am sure there were other singers, but he's the only one I remember!

The two Hispanic celebrities I remember from the 60s were Trini Lopez and Lee Trevino "Super-Mex", the golfer. My sister had a Pancho Gonzales tennis racket. Does that count?

[Linda Ed]

24. The 32nd of May

was one of my favorites that he sang!