Local News

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1998

Accordion great Ruben Naranjo dies at 53

`El Si Senor' started on the dance hall circuit at 14

By MARY LEE GRANT
Staff Writer

   One of the state's most famous conjunto artists, known for his Clark Gable good looks, his simple but soulful accordion playing and his kindness to friends and fans, died Monday. Ruben Naranjo was 53.
   Naranjo was known as "El Si Senor" because he often enthusiastically yelled, "Si, senor!" when he played in dance halls.
   Family members say Naranjo died Monday morning in his sleep at his Alice home. He played his last concert Saturday at La Villita in his hometown.
   Naranjo began playing accordion when he was 14 at dance halls throughout South Texas, said his sister-in-law Maria Torres. He was known for his ranchera style and his corridos, she said.
   By the 1960s, he had established a national reputation with widespread airplay and hit records, said Joseph Valdez, a director at KCCT-AM 1150 in Corpus Christi.
   "He was one of the best accordion players in South Texas," Valdez said. "He was a national treasure. He will be truly missed."
   Torres said her brother-in-law didn't have any serious health problems but had been feeling ill when he played Saturday night.
   "He had a flu or a virus," she said. "And then he just died in his sleep."
   She described Naranjo as an outgoing person. "He loved the people," she said. "He was good-hearted. He would take off his shoes and give them to you if you asked. His fans stuck by him through the years."
   

`Al Pie de la Tumba'

   Entertainer Johnny Canales said Naranjo was a good friend and one of the greatest conjunto stars.
   "We always called him our Clark Gable because he was so handsome and had that beautiful smile," Canales said. "He played accordion at my mother's graveside. He played one of her favorite songs and one of his greatest hits, `Al Pie de la Tumba.'
   "He started playing with the local conjuntos when he was very young and then started his own," Canales said.
   Conjunto is a style of music developed in northern Mexico and South Texas in the 1920s with heavy German influences. It is polka-like dance music played by bands consisting of the bajo sexto, drums, accordion, bass and sometimes other instruments such as the saxophone.
   "He could fill up a concert hall all by himself," Canales said. "I used to play his songs on the radio back in the 1980s and they just caught on like wildfire. He was very popular in Mexico, which is rare for an artist from Alice, Texas."
   Naranjo recorded for Freddie Music and Hacienda Recording Co. of Corpus Christi. Some of his most popular songs were "Sin Delito," "Prenda de Alma," "Con Cartitas," "Preso," "Mis Ojitos Querendones" and "Angel de Mis Angeles," Canales said.
   

Musical tributes

   Local radio stations remembered Naranjo's brand of playing with musical tributes, Canales said.
   "He was a very aggressive accordion player," Valdez of KCCT said. "His fingers stayed busy. They were all over the keyboard."
   Canales described Naranjo as a traditionalist, a figure in conjunto music similar to that of Hank Williams Sr. in country music.
   "His accordion playing was unique," Canales said. "He played the most simple accordion in the world but with such soul and liveliness you could feel it inside you. It was traditional, simple music."
   His personality matched his style, Canales said.
   "For a man that was so popular he was very humble," he said.
   Naranjo is survived by his wife, Minerva; three sons, Ricardo "Ricky" Naranjo and Ruben Naranjo Jr., both of Alice, and Raymond Naranjo of Robstown; a daughter, Debra Naranjo of Alice; his mother, Leonor Jacobo Naranjo of Alice; five brothers, Abelino, Julio, Inez Naranjo and Eduardo Garza, all of Alice, and Jose Naranjo of Corpus Christi; two sisters, Esmeralda Quintanilla of Corpus Christi and Julia Garza of Alice; and four grandchildren.
   Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Alice. Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in New Collins Cemetery. Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home in Alice is in charge of arrangements.
   Staff writer Mary Lee Grant can be reached at 886-3752 or by e-mail at grantm@scripps.com

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