Country music has lost a true trailblazer. Johnny Rodriguez, one of the genre’s first major Mexican American stars and a voice that helped shape modern country music, passed away on May 9 at the age of 73 in San Antonio, Texas. His daughter, Aubry Rodriguez, shared the heartbreaking news on social media. While the cause of death hasn’t been disclosed, the outpouring of love that followed says everything about the legacy he leaves behind.
Among the many tributes, one stood out—George Strait’s. The fellow South Texas native and Country Music Hall of Famer shared a deeply personal message, remembering Rodriguez not just as a star, but as an inspiration.
“Norma and I are so sad about Johnny’s passing,” Strait wrote. “He was an inspiration to me from the beginning. Being from South Texas myself, it gave me so much hope knowing that he had become such a huge success… that maybe there was hope for a guy like me. What a great talent he was. God bless his family, friends and fans. You’ll be missed, amigo.”
A Star Who Broke Barriers
Born in the small town of Sabinal, Texas, in 1951, Johnny Rodriguez quickly made a name for himself in the early ‘70s with a sound that blended traditional country with subtle Latin influences. His breakout hit, “Pass Me By (If You’re Only Passing Through),” marked the beginning of a remarkable career—one filled with six No. 1 hits and 20 songs in the Billboard country Top 10.
Fans came to love his signature songs like “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico,” “You Always Come Back (to Hurting Me),” and “I Just Can’t Get Her Out of My Mind.” But beyond the music, it was his voice—smooth, emotional, and unmistakably his—that made him a standout. With deep roots in the storytelling tradition of legends like Merle Haggard and Lefty Frizzell, Rodriguez carved his own path in a genre that had rarely seen someone like him before.
In 2007, he was rightfully honored with an induction into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame—a long-overdue recognition for a pioneer who opened doors for future generations of artists.
A Legacy That Lives On
Rodriguez’s impact stretched far beyond the charts. In Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary, he shared why he gravitated toward the genre: “I was drawn to country music because I could relate more to what they were singing about. It was the music of our people.”
His influence on younger artists is undeniable, but George Strait’s tribute speaks volumes. Both men grew up in South Texas, and Strait has long credited Rodriguez for showing him that success in country music was possible for someone who came from a similar background. Though Rodriguez’s fame peaked in earlier decades, his spirit and sound never faded.
Rodriguez faced his share of challenges over the years, including a high-profile legal case in 1998, for which he was acquitted. But he continued performing, recording, and inspiring new generations. In 2012, he released Live From Texas, a powerful reminder that his voice still had something to say.
In his final years, Rodriguez stayed close to home, performing throughout Texas and mentoring young musicians. Though he’s gone, the influence he had on the genre—and the hope he gave to artists like George Strait—will never fade.
As Strait so beautifully said, “He gave hope to a guy like me.”
And for many, Johnny Rodriguez did exactly that.
