Lydia Mendoza: A Family Autobiography [Hardcover]

Lydia Mendoza (Author), Chris Strachwitz (Author), James Nicolopolus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1993

The story of renowned Mexican-American singer, Lydia Mendoza, and her family is not the usual show-business rags-to-riches tale, but really the struggle of a Mexican family that fled the revolution at home to struggle for economic success and cultural survival in the United States.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Mendoza family, popular Texas-based Mexican American musicians, here tell their story in interviews recorded over a period of ten years. Concentrating on the years from 1930 to 1960, the interviews present a fascinating look at the world of the Spanish-speaking Southwest as experienced by this struggling family of performers. Singer/guitarist Lydia Mendoza, the most recognizable member of the family thanks in part to a lengthy recording career stretching from 1928 into the 1980s, is also featured on a new compact disc produced by interviewer Strachwitz titled Mal Hombre , which includes her 1934 hit of the same name. Essential for libraries serving Mexican American communities and for collections on ethnic music. A Spanish-language edition would have been welcome.
- James E. Ross, Seattle P.L.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Lydia Mendoza--with 12-string guitar and soulful renditions of tangos, boleros, corridos, and other popular songs--catapulted to fame (if not fortune) as ``La Cancionera de los Pobres'' (``The Songstress of the Poor'') in the 30's Southwest, becoming the most renowned member of her performing family. Here, Strachwitz-- chronicler on both records and film of Mexican-American music--has skillfully compiled and woven together ten years' worth of vivid, personal interviews with Mendoza, her family members, and her associates. Leonor Mendoza, the family matriarch, was born into a well- educated, middle-class Mexican family, but upon fleeing the Mexican Revolution with her hard-drinking husband (who responded to most situations with imaginative lies), she plunged into poverty with her children, most of whom had only what little education Leonor could provide. They traveled the US, harvesting crops, but soon found they could earn more as performers, even in the early days when they played for pennies in the streets and, most notably, in the Plaza del Zacate in San Antonio. Lydia's Blue Bird recording of ``Mal Hombre'' in 1934--wildly popular over the airwaves--made her name on both sides of the border, even though she was cheated out of royalties. With Lydia's radio popularity as a draw, the family went on the road, performing in circus tents, church halls, and theaters. The shows were stopped temporarily by marriage, children, and WW II gas rationing; sisters Juanita and Maria became famous as a duet; and Lydia was still touring in the 80's, during the folk revival. A real treat for Mendoza fans, and a good read for those interested in Mexican-American popular culture or the emergence of American vernacular music, performance, and recording. (Photos, plus discography and transcriptions of songs and vaudeville skits). -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Arte Publico Press; Reprint edition (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558850651
• ISBN-13: 978-1558850651
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,938,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lydia Mendoza and family, March 9, 2003

By 

Marvin McKinney (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lydia Mendoza: A Family Autobiography (Hardcover)

I have read the book "Lydia Mendoza" snd beleive it to be a fine example of the struggle many mexican Americans endured during the turbulent 20's, 30's and 40's. Many readers of this book will identify with the hardships suffered by Lydia and her Family.
I was at the original book signing ceremony in San Antonio and met Lydia, her Brothers and Sister and the authors of this book. In discussions with the author we discussed the closeness of the lifestyles of Lydia and the Original Carter Family who commenced their recording career in 1927. Most importantly is Lydia's unfaltering memory as she discusses her family dating back to Refugio Zamarripa in 1892 and Lenor Zamarripa born in 1889. The Lydia Mendoza story as unfolded in this book is at times amusing and at times sad. It is a part of history that anyone interested should read.
Lydia's Grand Daughter is married to my son. The opportunity to purchase this book and meet with this family came about because of my Son's marriage to Lydia's Grand Daughter. I highly recommend the book because it contains a wealth of genealogical information for those of us who dally in this genre.