theBloodline

Today marks Jimmy Garcia’s fifth anniversary.

If you’re a little late in the game, Jimmy Garcia was the original accordion player and vocalist for Los Garcia Bros.  Jimmy died on July 19, 2002 in a car accident. He was driving on eastbound U.S. 57 a little after 5:00 a.m.

Jimmy was known for his hardcore conjunto accordion sounds and unique vocals. Los Garcia Brothers had a strong pachuco image on stage. When LGB surfaced, la gente went crazy for them. After a while, you could walk into an H-E-B and hear “orale carnal” at least ten times. The crowd wasn’t the only people going crazy: many musicians soon came quick to imitating the Garcia sound. Not just the dry tuned accordion, but more importantly the arreglos with attitude. Everyone wanted to sound like him.

Jimmy’s legacy continues to empower musicians with the gift of conjunto music. The band, of course, has continued to play with a couple of changes here and there every now and then.

The latest reincarnation of pachucoism is Da Krazy Pimpz (Eagle Pass, TX) led by frontman Eddie Jimenez. Eddie recently filled Jimmy’s spot with Los Garcia Bros. for a while. Da Krazy Pimpz sound pretty good.

You have to admit, though: LGB doesn’t sound the same without Jimmy.

Rest in peace, Jimmy.  We love you.

–Vincent