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The Garza brothers spent years performing around West Texas as the backing band for their father Enrique in crowded cantinas and roadhouses. Eventually, the siblings formed their own power trio and after choosing the name Los Lonely Boys took their distinct brand of “Texican” guitar rock from the Lone Star State to the world. In doing so, they joined a very elite club of Chicano “crossover” stars.
Los Lonely Boys have been in the limelight ever since their 2004 self-titled debut album generated the breezy hit single “Heaven.” The LP has sold more than 2 million copies and earned the trio a Grammy for best Pop Vocal Duo/Group. The 2005 release of “Live at the Fillmore” documented the band’s power in concert, most notably the chops of lead guitarist/singer Henry Garza, whose style recalls fellow Texan Stevie Ray Vaughan.
This summer, Los Lonely Boys released its highly anticipated second studio record “Sacred.” Far from a sophomore slump, the disc was a critical and commercial success that hit No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and produced the hit single “Diamonds.”
Los Lonely Boys is 28 year-old Henry Garza and his younger brothers Jo Jo (bass) and Ringo (drums). When we caught up with Henry he was getting ready for a concert in Buffalo, N.Y., featuring Los Lonely Boys and Santana.
“Bro, it’s pretty cold here,” Garza said, with a laugh. “But we gotta come up here to bring them some Texican rock `n’ roll with Santana.” For decades, when most people heard the term “Chicano rock star” or “Latino guitar hero” only the name Carlos Santana came to mind.
“He came to visit us backstage after a concert in San Francisco at the Fillmore,” Henry said. “The first word out of both of our mouths was `finally.’
“Santana is a part of Chicano culture,” Henry continued. “You hear him at barbecues, at weddings, whenever there’s people getting together there’s Santana.”
Although, the group is still years short of Santana status, Los Lonely Boys is well on their way to becoming a household name. The brothers gained worldwide recognition when they performed at the 2005 Grammys and walked home with the award for Pop Vocal Duo/Group. “It’s still like a dream that you don’t think is real,” Henry said. “We still feel the same but also feel very honored. Sometimes dreams do come true.”
Henry is acutely aware at how rare it is to be a Hispanic musician embraced by white America.
“We are Hispanic without asking to be and there’s not many of us making it in this business, it’s just one of those things,” Henry said. “We’re real happy to be a part of it and to be an inspiration to our people and people in general. It’s different colors but it’s all the same human spirit we’re looking to reach.”
Like most musicians, Henry has to makes sacrifices to bring that message of unity to the masses. In addition to having two younger brothers he’s also the father of three sons.
“My own Los Lonely Boys, a daughter, too,” Henry enthused. “I give my best to teach them what my dad taught us. Because of the success we’ve had I want to give them the opportunities we didn’t have. I want them to finish school and go to college like their dad didn’t do.”
Los Lonely Boys is one of the hardest working bands in rock `n’ roll. The brothers spent their teens and early 20s backing their father and recent years have found them courting audiences across the nation. “The longest break we’ve taken in our lives has only been a couple months,” Henry said. “We just try and pace ourselves and keep our schedule human.”
And Henry laughed again.
“We’ve been pretty much on tour our whole lives.”
The Garza family has labored hard and been around hard workers all their lives. Their native San Angelo, Texas, is home to Air Force personnel, cow hands and cotton pickers. Last month, Los Lonely Boys again performed at Farm Aid. Farm Aid’s first concert was organized by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land.
“This is our second or third one. We’ve been doing Farm Aid ever since we met Willie,” Henry said. “We try and make an effort to help out with what Willie and the other musicians are doing because it’s a cause we believe in.”
Los Lonely Boys’ “Sacred” album features the track “Outlaws,” which features guest vocals from the boys’ father Enrique Garza and Nelson.
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© 2006, Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.). Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
