The Course of Mexican Music - Chapter 8

Porfirio Díaz

Lived 1830-1915

35-year presidency between 1876-1911

Did not allow discontent, gap between rich and poor grew, working class were treated like slaves

The Mexican Revolution

1910-1920

Began in response to Diaz’s dictatorship

Corridos

A ballad that tells a story of a hero or an antihero (narcocorrido) rooted in the romance traditions of Spain

Pre-revolutionary corridos were used to encourage men to join the fight for the revolution, post-revolutionary corridos told stories of protagonists such as Pancho Villa and Fransisco L. Madero

Golden Age of Corridos

1928-1937, when many recordings were made

Heraclio Bernal (and corrido)

Sinaloan Miner who denounced the legitimacy of Diaz’s presidency

Jailed and executed in 1888

Corrido de Heraclio Bernal sung by Los Lobos

Francisco L. Madero (and corrido)

Stood against Diaz (called the Plan de San Luis Potosí) in election to end his re-election in 1910 but lost, was jailed, escaped, then defeated Diaz

Became president in 1911 until 1913, when he was assassinated

Nuevo Corrido de Madero by Manuel Camacho and Regino Perez, made during the Golden Age

Victoriano Huerta

Supporter of Diaz

Assassinated Fransisco L. Madero

Assumed presidency 1913-1914

Venustiano Carranza

Early supporter of Fransisco L. Madero

President from 1915-1920, after victoriano Huerta

Alvaro Obregón

President after Venustiano Carranza from 920-1924

Pancho Villa (and corrido)

Birth name Jose Doroteo Arango Arámbula Revolutionary leader who fought for social injustice in northern Mexico

Opposed Venustiano Carranza and helped take down Diaz, helping Madero become president

Attacked Columbus, NM in protest of Diaz

Corrido General Francisco Villa by Los Cuatezones

Carabina 30-30

Corrido by Los Lobos, Chicano band from East LA

Referencing the 30-30 rifle that Villa used

Adelita

Most celebrated soldadera, along with Valentina, who joined revolutionary forces as a nurse and is portrayed as a soldier’s dream woman

Adelita by Lydia Mendoza - only her and her guitar

La Adelita by Trio Gonzales - polka rhythm

Lydia Mendoza

The Lark of the Border

Tex-Mex singer advocating for the migrant working class

Broke the gender barrier for women performers