Mendoza, Lydia (1916–)

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Mendoza, Lydia (1916–)

Mexican-American Tejano singer and guitarist. Name variations: La Cancionera. Born 1916 in Houston, Texas, into a well-known musical family.

Launched career (1932), singing in the plazas of downtown San Antonio; came to prominence with such hits as "Mal hombre" (1934) and "Pero hay que triste"; recorded over 50 albums and over 200 songs; developed "Musician Nortena," a style of music that combines German folk accordion style with the traditional Mexican 12-stringed guitar. Received the National Heritage Award (1982) and National Medal of the Arts.

See also Lydia Mendoza: A Family Autobiography (1993).

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