Ramón Ayala is one of the most iconic figures in Norteño music. He rose to fame in the 60s as part of the duo Los Relámpagos del Norte, alongside Cornelio Reyna, and for more than half a century maintained a successful career with his band Ramón Ayala y sus Bravos del Norte.
So when he announced his El Principio De Un Final tour in February, many were surprised by that title (Spanish for “The Beginning of an End”). At Coachella, Peso Pluma included him in a tribute to the elders of Mexican culture on the screen at the back of the stage while he performed his hit 'Lady Gaga'.
But is Ramón Ayala retiring or not?
“Of course not,” says the “Accordion King.” Billboard Español. “Now I'm in perfect condition. If I don't play and tour, I don't feel happy and fulfilled. I've been a musician all my life.”
Ayala's history with music began when he was just five years old, accompanying his father by playing the accordion to bring money to his home in Monterrey, Nuevo León, birthplace of one of the three strands on which local Mexican music is based: norteño, mariachi and sinaloense band.
During his long career, he has recorded over 100 albums, two of which reached No. 1 on Advertising sign Chart of regional Mexican albums: Arriba El Norte (1991) and Antología De Un Rey (2004). He has also placed 12 songs on Hot Latin Songs, including “Del Otro Lado del Portón,” at No. 12, and “Quémame los Ojos,” at No. 19. And he has received two Grammy Awards and two Latin Grammys, among other distinctions.
On March 9, he kicked off his 50-concert tour in Los Angeles, which includes stops in Atlanta, El Paso, Chicago, Las Vegas and other US cities. He will soon announce dates in Mexico, in cities such as Hermosillo, Tijuana, Ensenada, Culiacan, Mexico City and Monterrey, “where they will pay tribute to me at Macroplaza,” he says of the latter.
Also in March, he released the corrido “El Retén,” the first single from an upcoming 15-track album.
In an interview with Billboard Español, Ayala answers 20 questions about his life and career, his final moments with Cornelio Reyna and how much he still has to do.
1. How do you manage to still stand up with so much enthusiasm 61 years after the start of your career?
Knowing that there is a large audience that follows us both in Mexico and the United States, that fills our concerts and waits for our new music, motivates me.
2. When you started music, did you dream of getting to where you are now?
I have been a musician since I was five years old. At that age, I was already playing the accordion and working with my dad in a band in Monterey — I dreamed of continuing to do what I was doing and nothing else.
3. Do you remember the first professional recording you did?
Yes, it was 1963, a song called “Ya No Llores”, and it was such a hit that it opened the doors to Ramón Ayala and Cornelio Reyna, my dear colleague. We were Los Relámpagos del Norte. That's how we would be until 1971.
4. Los Relámpagos del Norte remained an inspiration. What does it mean to you that you have laid the groundwork for so many generations?
Cornelius and I met when we were 14, so we were like brothers. This made us bond and better communicate our music to the public.
5. Do you have a special memory or anecdote with Cornelio Reyna?
When we started, Cornelio was the one doing the contracts. Once, he promised [we would play] three events in one night. We got to the first one, we didn't get to the second one, and we got to the third one when people were already leaving. People recognized us and threw stones at our trucks. At that moment we decided that someone had to represent us and a friend offered to do it, Servando Cano.
6. Servando Cano, who would become one of the most important representatives of local Mexican music…
Correctly. He worked as a teller at the National Bank of Mexico in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. He offered to be our manager and we accepted. We went to Mexico to sign the contract so that everything would be fine and legal.
7. With so many hits, is there a song that has special meaning for you?
There is one that I have a special love for, “Mi Golondrina”, because it was one of the first ones I recorded. But “Rinconcito en el Cielo” is very important in my career.
8. Why did Cornelio Reyna and Ramón Ayala break up? Was there a problem between you?
There was no problem, we always got along. What happened is that he wanted to try his luck in Mexico singing mariachi and acting in movies.
9. Did you get a chance to meet Reyna again before she died in 1997?
In 1995, he returned to the US and asked me to tour as Los Relámpagos del Norte. What I proposed was to go on stage first with Los Bravos del Norte and halfway through the show, both [would come out] as Los Relámpagos. We were able to do two such tours, but he was already very ill. He returned to Mexico and died there.
10. You've had some tough times in your career, haven't you?
Yes, there were some hard times, but luckily there were more good times and successes.
11. The name of the tour “El Principio De Un Final” caused an uproar. Is this a farewell for Ramón Ayala?
We just named the 2024 tour like that. we don't know when the end will be. I'm feeling pretty good, so unless God has something else planned, we'll keep going.
12. Have you thought about retiring to be a full-time grandpa?
Not at all. I spend a lot of time with my children and grandchildren, though. For example, before I started this tour, I was teaching the kids how to bottle feed the newborn baby goats on my ranch. But being a grandpa is only for moments.
13. During the COVID pandemic, your brother José Luis, the band's drummer, passed away. This double loss must have been difficult for you.
It was something very difficult for me. It was the beginning of the pandemic, there were no vaccines and my little brother was gone. After that, I talked to his son, José Luis Ayala Jr., who is a very good musician and has already integrated very well with us.
14. Do the other band members contribute ideas?
No no. I tell them how I want things to be done and heard. We have worked very well this way. the proof is the response from the fans after all these years.
15. How is Ramón Ayala's life in the US?
I have lived in the Texas Valley for over 60 years. From Brownsville to Laredo, most of the population is Mexican, so we live and eat our own carne asada just like in our country, except we speak a lot of spanish.
16. How will you celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
Working, thankfully. We will be performing at the County Fair in Pomona, California. It is a very important event with more than 100 years of tradition.
17. Do you have a collaboration album planned?
Yes, we will be recording several of our hits with other artists. I already participated in an album celebrating Leo Dan's career and once I did a duet with Lupillo Rivera accompanied by a sinaloense band. I also want to let you know that another album is coming with Los Rieleros del Norte that is already recorded.
18. As an icon of Norteño music, what do you think of the new generation of artists following this path?
I really like to see how some of them have a lot of respect for Norteño music and the accordion — they play it excellently, like Edén Muñoz or Alfredo Olivas.
19. Any dream duets that didn't happen?
I always dreamed of doing a duet with Pedro Infante and I achieved it by participating in a tribute album. He was no longer with us of course, but his voice was.
20. Is there anything in your life and career that you regret?
I regret nothing. Thank God I've gotten to the point where I'm surrounded by fans, friends and family.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/ramon-ayala-tour-retirement-20-questions-1235671877/
