Pedro Rey- Thank you for then, thank you for now.

As a singer, connoisseur and self taught historian of mariachi music, I would like to share some knowledge and personal stories about one of the finest mariachi artists and directors to ever live, Mr. Pedro Rey.  To this day, his influences are heard around the world as the tradition of mariachi music continues to thrive. Allow me to give you a brief history of Don Pedro Rey so that you can better appreciate his contributions to mariachi music and culture.

Pedro Rey is a fifth generation mariachi with singing roots dating back to Don Esteban Hernandez, who was born in La Cofradia, Jalisco in 1924.  His father was a mariachi by the age of eight years old, performing in his father’s mariachi, Los Aguilas de Chapala. In 1940, Esteban married his wife, Maria Eva.  Of the eight children they bore, six of them were boys, all eventually becoming mariachi musicians.  Throughout the 1940’s, Don Esteban traveled throughout Mexico with his group, Mariachi Chapala, until he was hired to perform at Jeanette’s, a popular Los Angeles nightclub that catered to the Mexican population.  In 1957, Esteban and Mariachi Chapala permanently relocated to Los Angeles. 

While his father was performing with Mariachi Chapala, Pedro Rey became a master trumpet and guitar player with the leading mariachi group in Mexicali, Tijuana, Los Angeles, and Mexico City.  In 1966, Pedro moved to Mexico City and became a member of Marichi Vargas de Tecalitlan, the most highly recognized mariachi in Mexico.  In 1970, Pedro decided to follow his dream and returned to Los Angeles, where he formed his very own Mariachi Los Galleros de Pedro Rey.  In 1976, Pedro parlayed his success and business aspirations to the opening of his very own restaurant, El Rey.  His passionate voice and flare for wooing the crowd created an atmosphere that has yet to be duplicated to this day, my opinion of course.  For over 16 years, El Rey was a fixture of Los Angeles and was known throughout the country as a premier venue to experience a truly authentic mariachi show.  In 1992, Don Pedro Rey decided that he had enough of that chapter of his life, and retired.  He currently resides in Chapala, Mexico where he mentors and inspires young mariachi artists. 

As a youngster, my dad would take me to El Rey on occasion to hear the show.  My father owned a restaurant not too far from El Rey, plus we lived less than a mile from there.  Pedro and his daughters that worked in the front knew my dad and I and always treated us like kings.  Boy did I love the way Pedro sang!  Today, I am 41 years old and now have the honor of running the very restaurant that my father built over 34 years ago.  One of the greatest pleasures in my life at this point, is watching my best friend in the world perform at my restaurant most Friday nights.  My friend’s name is Gabriela Hernandez, la hija de (the daughter of) Pedro Rey.  Gabby has a voice sent down from mariachi heaven with a style that is more amazing than words can do justice for.  How lucky am I to have grown up listening to one of the greatest mariachi artists ever, only to finally grow up and become best friends with his daughter, who happened to inherit all of his talent and more!

Thank you Pedro Rey for the memories!  Thank you Pedro Rey for blessing the world of mariachi with your wonderful voice and impeccable arrangements!  Thank you Pedro Rey for your beautiful daughter and my best friend!  Gabriela Hernandez, you are my best friend and I love you forever!  Keep singing and keep smiling!

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