Photos: Los Changuitos Feos, Tucson's first youth mariachi group
Tucson's first youth mariachi group, Los Changuitos Feos, has been a mainstay of the Tucson music scene since 1964.
In 1964, a group of Tucson boys gathered in the basement of the old All Saints Catholic Church on South Sixth Avenue to be part of a new youth group. Most were in high school but a couple of them were younger. They signed up, with their parents’ enthusiastic endorsement, to form a mariachi ensemble.
The group of seven boys was christened Los Changuitos Feos, the Ugly Little Monkeys. – Ernesto Portillo Jr.
Los Changuitos Feos
Father Rourke and members of Los Changuitos Feos at University of Arizona stadium on July 4, 1966.
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Trumpeter Jeff Nevin performs with Los Changuitos Feos during a Christmas concert for residents of the Marshall Home for Men on Dec. 21, 1985.
Los Changuitos Feos
Fernie Sanchez, far left, and members of Los Changuitos Feos on May 8, 1974, prior to a 10th anniversary concert at TCC.
Los Changuitos Feos
Father R. John Martin, with cross, listens to Father Rourke and members of Los Changuitos Feos at St. John's Catholic Church in Tucson on May 19, 1969.
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Los Changuitos Feos performs from the back of a stake bed truck at Southgate Shopping Center, Sixth Avenue and Interstate-10, on Dec. 9, 1977.
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Belinda Garcia of Los Changuitos Feos solos during practice on Jan. 20, 1997.
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Board member Alex Garcia keeps rhythm with Julian Romero, 16, left, while guitarron player Christian Salgado, 15, practices with members of Los Changuitos Feos. Garcia is the point person for bookings.
Los Changuitos Feos
Andrea Guzman, 15, plays a song on her violin while members of Los Changuitos Feos mariachi group practice.
Los Changuitos Feos
Ali Pizarro, 17, lets loose his vocals during a song while members of Los Changuitos Feos mariachi group practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014.
Los Changuitos Feos
Abigail Arias, 15, plays with other violinists while members of Los Changuitos Feos mariachi group practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014
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Abigail Arias, 15, practices her violin while members of Los Changuitos Feos mariachi group practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014
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Musical director Salvador Gallegos, right, works with guitarron player Christian Salgado, 15, on a song while members of Los Changuitos Feos mariachi group practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014
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Trumpet players Isaiah Garcia, 16, left, and Ricardo Vejar, 17, practice with the other members of Los Changuitos Feos mariachi group practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014
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Violinist Yvette Lanz, 16, practices with the other violinists of Los Changuitos Feos mariachi group practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014
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Dominic Bourland and the rest of Los Changuitos Feos serenade the audience as they cross the lobby to their seats before the Homenaje: La Vida de Lalo Guerrero, a tribute to Eduardo “Lalo” Guerrero at the Fox Theatre in 2006.
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Lesly Moran leans into her violin as she and Los Changuitos Feos mariachi group plays for the crowd for the Cinco de Mayo Weekend Fiesta at Pinnacle Peak and Trail Dust Town in May, 2014.
Los Changuitos Feos
Los Changuitos Feos de Tucsón
Así lucen Los Changuitos Feos de ahora.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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