The Ramos Family
No Tejano music fan can make that claim without knowing about the Ramos family. Ruben Perez Ramos, aka Austin’s El Gato Negro, currently fronts Ruben Ramos & the Mexican Revolution, but it’s a role rooted deep in family history.
The family has performed, in some incarnation, since 1919, when Ramos’ uncle Juan Manuel Perez formed Los Serenaders. Meanwhile, Juan’s sister Elvira Perez (a guitarist) married Alfonso Ramos Sr. (a violinist) and began raising their brood: Inez, Elijio, Alfonso, Ruben, Joe, and Roy.
As teenagers, the Ramos boys played with another incarnation of Los Serenaders, a big band-era orchestra known as His Ex-GIs. Alfonso Ramos eventually took over that band, while Ruben and the other brothers occasionally sat in. By 1969, in the midst of a changing social climate, Ruben and brothers Alfonso and Roy were seasoned enough to become full-time musicians. Ruben led the drive with the support of his siblings and extended family and never looked back.
The band has changed names several times, but Ruben Ramos & the Mexican Revolution stays true to its roots, playing cumbias and rancheras alongside R&B covers, while representing la onda Tejano with its thrilling fanfare of live horns and Ramos’ distinguished, sultry vocals.
Ramos attracted a wider audience with David Hildago and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Joe Ely, Freddy Fender, accordionist Flaco Jimenez, and country singer Rick Trevino in Los Super Seven, earning a Grammy in 1999. Ramos’ Revolution has received many nominations and awards throughout the years, including nods from the Tejano Music Awards and most recently, a 2009 Grammy for Best Tejano Album. – Belinda Acosta
This article appears in May 29 • 2009.