Jimmy González
Jimmy González | |
|---|---|
González with his 2001 and 2002 Latin Grammy Awards for Best Tejano Album | |
| Background information | |
| Born | James González August 28, 1950 |
| Died | June 6, 2018 (aged 67) |
| Genres | Tejano |
| Instruments |
|
| Formerly of | |
Spouses |
Anna Lisa (m. 1999)Yolanda Solís (before 1984) |
James González, better known as Jimmy González (August 28, 1950 – June 6, 2018), was an American Tejano vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter known for co-founding the group Mazz in 1978 with his friend Joe López, and later after that group's 1998 separation, for his succeeding group Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz, which while operating won six Latin Grammy Awards for Best Tejano Album.[1]
Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz
Gonzalez signed a recording contract with Freddie Records in 1999.[2] His group won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Tejano Album in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2009, and holds the record of most wins.[1]
Health and death
González was acutely overweight for most of his life. He was once reported to weigh 450 pounds, which "in various interviews" he attributed to a glandular disorder;[3] thus he was diabetic, and would sit during most performances, especially as he aged.
González was scheduled to play November 2, 2008 at Reliant Arena in Houston before being awarded a Latin Grammy for his album Incomparable, but did not attend because of weakness and low blood pressure, for which on November 4 he was admitted to a Harlingen hospital[4] and later transferred to a Corpus Christi hospital for tests.[5] González was released November 10 and determined by doctors to have experienced "uncontrolled sugar and blood pressure problems."[6]
In February 2018, González was hospitalized after difficulties breathing during a show.[7] Following a show on June 5, González planned on returning to Brownsville.[8] He decided to visit relatives in San Antonio and was hospitalized on June 5 following a drop in blood sugar. González experienced cardiac arrest and was momentarily revived,[7] but died on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, of complications from diabetes.[8] Within hours of the announcement of his death, Tejano musicians including Shelly Lares, David Lee Garza, and Raulito Navaira shared tributes on social media,[9] and Tejano music stations in San Antonio began a constant play of Mazz music.[10]
His group was scheduled to perform at the Shrimporee in Aransas Pass on June 9,[11] and during the Puro Tejano Texas Showdown on June 23 and June 24, 2018, as part of the Puro Tejano 101.7 launch party.[2] The June 24 event will be a tribute to González.[2]
Discography
See Mazz § Discography and Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz § Discography
Awards
See also Mazz § Awards and Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz § Awards
| Year | Category |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Vocal Duo of the Year (with Joe López) |
| 1988 | |
| 1989 | |
| 1990 | |
| 1991 | |
| 1992 | |
| 1995 | |
| 2002 | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| Male Entertainer of the Year | |
| 2006 | Vocal Duo of the Year (with K. C. Zavala) |
| 2007 | Vocal Duo of the Year (for "Old School Memories" with Freddie Martinez) |
| 2014 | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| Vocal Duo of the Year (for "Canciones de Amor" with Elida Reyna) | |
| 2018 | Lifetime Achievement Award |
References
- ^ a b "Jimmy González". Latin Recording Academy. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c Guerra, Joey (June 6, 2018). "Jimmy Gonzalez, a titan of Tejano music, dies in San Antonio". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ^ Burr 1999, p. 149.
- ^ Burr, Ramiro (November 5, 2008). "Jimmy Gonzalez in hospital after congestive heart failure". Ramiro Burr's New Blog. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^ Burr, Ramiro (November 7, 2008). "Mazz's Jimmy Gonzalez back in hospital for weekend observation". Ramiro Burr's New Blog. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^ Burr, Ramiro (November 10, 2008). "Mazz' s Jimmy Gonzalez is out of hospital; back home resting". Ramiro Burr's New Blog. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^ a b Martinez, Laura (June 6, 2018). "Tejano legend Jimmy Gonzalez dies". myRGV. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ a b Koch, Tom (June 6, 2018). "Jimmy Gonzalez, Tejano artist with Brownsville's Grupo Mazz, dead at 67". ABC13. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ^ Mendoza, Madalyn (June 6, 2018). "Tejano stars remember Grupo Mazz's Jimmy Gonzalez with moving tributes: 'One of the greats'". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ^ Mendoza, Madalyn (June 6, 2018). "Grupo Mazz frontman Jimmy Gonzalez dies at San Antonio hospital". Laredo Morning Times. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ^ Flores, Veronica (June 6, 2018). "Tejano legend Jimmy Gonzalez dead at 67". KRIS-TV. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ^ "Awards Winners". Tejano Music Awards. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
Sources with multiple pages or timestamps cited
- Burr, Ramiro (1999). The Billboard Guide to Tejano and Regional Mexican Music. New York: Billboard Books. ISBN 0823076911. Retrieved September 1, 2025.