In the 1950s, Los Angeles’ Chavez Ravine, home to 300 Mexican families, was leveled for a low-income housing project. The housing never came but charges of “creeping socialism” did. Then came Dodgers Stadium in Chavez Ravine, and a dream was gone.
For the last three years, L.A. native, composer and virtuoso guitarist Ry Cooder dedicated his artistic energy, and his bank account, to telling the story of the disappearance of the Ravine’s community.
He called on some of the biggest names in the Chicano music scene such as Lalo Guerrero, Pachuco boogie king Don Tosti, William Garica “Little Willie G” of “Thee Midnighters,” David Hidalgo from “Los Lobos” and Ersi Arvizu of “The Sisters and El Chicano.” The result: an intimate re-imagination of a Mexican-American community bulldozed under, but alive in memory and music.
Tune in to hear Ry Cooder’s tribute to L.A.’s Mexican community of Chavez Ravine.
Guests:
Ry Cooder, renowned session musician, solo artist and movie soundtrack composer. His 1997 album “The Buena Vista Social Club” revived global interest in vintage Cuban music and was an international hit. His new album is “Chavez Ravine”.
William Garcia “Little Willie G.”, contributor to “Chavez Ravine,” frontman of the 60’s R&B group from East Los Angeles “Thee Midnighters,” and one of the leading innovators of the “East L.A. Sound”.
