San Antonio: Johnny Rodriguez, has died at the age of 73. His daughter, Aubry Rodriguez, confirmed that he passed away on Friday in San Antonio due to health complications. She said he died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
Rodriguez was a beloved figure in country music, known for classic tracks like “I Just Can’t Get Her Out of My Mind,” “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico,” and “That’s the Way Love Goes.” He was among the first Latino artists to break through in mainstream country, bringing bilingual lyrics and a distinct sound that left a lasting impact on the genre.
Born in Sabinal, Texas, a small town near the U.S.-Mexico border, Rodriguez’s rise to stardom was fast and dramatic. He was named Most Promising Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music in 1972, and his debut album, Introducing Johnny Rodriguez, earned a nomination for Album of the Year in 1973. Over the years, more than a dozen of his singles and albums made it to the Top 10 charts.
However, his career was not without turmoil. Rodriguez later admitted that his success was overshadowed by struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, which affected his musical trajectory. A controversial chapter of his life came in 1998, when he fatally shot an acquaintance inside his mother’s home in Sabinal, mistakenly believing the man to be a burglar. He was acquitted of murder by a Texas jury in 1999.
Despite setbacks, Rodriguez remained active in the music scene, especially in South Texas, where he continued performing. His legacy was recognized in 2007 when he was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
Aubry Rodriguez remembered her father not only as a musical legend but also as a deeply compassionate man: “Dad was not only a legendary musician whose artistry touched millions around the world, but also a deeply loved husband, father, uncle, and brother whose warmth, humor, and compassion shaped the lives of all who knew him.”
Johnny Rodriguez leaves behind a rich musical legacy and a cultural imprint as one of country music’s first successful Latino stars.
