Johnny Rodriguez, a trailblazing Mexican American country music star, passed away on May 9, 2025, at the age of 73 in San Antonio, Texas. His daughter, Aubry Rodriguez, confirmed that he died peacefully, surrounded by family, after entering hospice care earlier that week .
Born Juan Raoul Davis Rodriguez on December 10, 1951, in Sabinal, Texas, Rodriguez grew up near the Mexican border, immersing himself in both mariachi and country music. He often noted the similarities between the two genres, observing that they conveyed similar emotions in different languages .
Rodriguez’s rise to fame began under unconventional circumstances. While serving time in a Texas jail, his singing caught the attention of Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson, who introduced him to music promoter James “Happy” Shahan. This led to performances at Alamo Village, where he was discovered by country singer Tom T. Hall. Hall invited the young Rodriguez to Nashville, where he signed with Mercury Records at the age of 21 .
In the 1970s, Rodriguez became one of country music’s most successful male artists, achieving six No. 1 hits and fifteen Top 10 singles on the country charts. His notable songs include “Pass Me By (If You’re Only Passing Through),” “You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me),” and “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico” . He was recognized as the most promising male vocalist at the 1972 Academy of Country Music Awards and was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007 .
Rodriguez’s influence extended beyond music; he was honored by three U.S. presidents and received the Institute of Hispanic Culture Pioneer Award in 2010 . His legacy as a pioneering Hispanic artist in country music paved the way for future generations, blending Tejano and country genres and bringing Spanish-language lyrics to mainstream country audiences.
He is survived by his daughter, Aubry Rodriguez, who has followed in her father’s musical footsteps. Rodriguez’s contributions to country music and his role in diversifying the genre remain enduring aspects of his legacy.