Lydia Mendoza lived it

Lydia Mendoza

From the age of 12 through a career that spanned eight decades, Lydia Mendoza was a beacon to Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, showing them that no matter how humble their situation was they had a culture worth celebrating.

In a 2004 interview, asked what happened to make her the first Mexican-American singing star, she replied “Whether I was singing a bolero or a waltz or a polka it didn’t matter. When I sang, I sang it so I felt like I was living that song. Every song I ever sang I did with the feeling that I was living that song.”

This according to “Lydia motion” by Garth Cartwright (fRoots XXVI/9:261 [March 2005] pp. 30–35, 41).

Today would have been Mendoza’s 100th birthday! Above, the singer in 1948; below, performing in 1975.

1 Comment

Filed under North America, Performers, Popular music

One Response to Lydia Mendoza lived it

  1. According to the birth certificate Lydia Mendoza supplied to our company San Antonio Music Publisher, Inc her correct date of birth is May 31, 1916. Please visit our page as we will be posting details for a dedication ceremony of a Texas Historical Commission Marker in her honor. https://www.facebook.com/Lydia-Mendoza-Texas-Historical-Commission-Marker-171817673168365/