Who was the most popular Chicano rock artist of the 1950’s? What are this artists influences culturally and musically?
I would guess Richie Valens.
Since he died so early, he only had a limited amount of material with which to influence others. But I imagine that acts such as Chan Romero and (obviously) Los Lobos would name him as an influence.
It cant be valens, he was only around a few months and then he died. What about Johnny Mathis, Triney Lopez, Chris Montez, Sal Mineo?
Richie Valens hands down. He may have been around only a short time, but he had HITS! (Donna, LaBamba, Turkish Girl, Seagulls Over the Sea, etc.)
Harry Belafonte would be second.
Johnny Mathis wasn’t recognized as Chicano, Sal Mineo was…Italian? Trini Lopez I don’t think was '50’s.