Nati Cano, mariachi legend of LA was 81

Natividad Cano, the founder of Los Camperos de Nati Cano — probably the most famous mariachi band to be based in Los Angeles — died Friday at age 81. Born in the Mexican state of Jalisco, Cano came to Los Angeles in 1960 and joined Mariachi Aguila, which was the house band at the Million Dollar Theatre. Cano succeeded the founder, renamed the group Los Camperos, and in 1967 opened La Fonda on Wilshire Boulevard near MacArthur Park in part to provide the Camperos with a performing venue. Los Camperos has performed for presidents, mentored many young mariachi musicians, including at schools in LA, and collaborated with Linda Ronstadt on her Spanish language songs. “So many musicians and dancers got their start from working with Nati,” said Javier Verdin, a folklorista and co-founder of Ballet Folklorico Ollin.

Tribute to Nati Cano at the Ford Theatre
City News Service
Vivelohoy