Johnny Rodriguez, trailblazing Mexican American Country Music Star, Dead at 73

Country music legend Johnny Rodriguez passed away on May 9, 2025, at the age of 73 in San Antonio, Texas. His daughter, Aubry Rodriguez, confirmed his peaceful passing on social media, noting that he was surrounded by family after entering hospice care earlier that week.

Born Juan Raoul Davis Rodriguez on December 10, 1951, in Sabinal, Texas, Rodriguez became a trailblazer as one of the first major Hispanic artists in country music.

Rodriguez's musical journey began under unusual circumstances. At 18, while in jail for an unpaid fine, his singing caught the attention of Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson. This encounter led to performances at Alamo Village and eventually a move to Nashville, where he signed with Mercury Records at 21.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Rodriguez achieved significant success with hits like “Pass Me By (If You’re Only Passing Through),” “You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me),” and “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico.” He recorded six No. 1 country hits and fifteen Top 10 singles, earning accolades from Billboard and the Academy of Country Music.

In recognition of his contributions, Rodriguez was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and received the Institute of Hispanic Culture Pioneer Award in 2010.

Beyond his musical achievements, Rodriguez was known for his warmth, humor, and compassion. His daughter Aubry described him as "a deeply loved husband, father, uncle, and brother whose warmth, humor, and compassion shaped the lives of all who knew him."

Rodriguez is survived by his wife, Debbie McNeely, and their daughter, Aubry Rae Rodriguez. His legacy as a pioneering Hispanic figure in country music continues to inspire artists and fans alike.