Ray Camacho & The Teardrops

Fresno, California's Ray Camacho & the Teardrops were the first recording unit of trumpeter and bandleader Ray Camacho. Formed in 1960 as a nonet, they melded rock, soul, Mexican regional music, cumbias, covers, and originals, making them an in-demand attraction on the live circuit. The original group included the bandleader on trumpet and vocals, arranger Manuel Palafox on keyboards and saxophone, guitarist Mingo Cervantes, and conguero Enrique Mendoza. They began playing high school dances and regional fairs, establishing a reputation for energetic live performances. They played many shows in the East Bay Area (opening for emerging rock and R&B acts such as Santana and Tower of Power) as well as throughout the American Southwest, particularly in Arizona and Texas. Their first single, "Volveras"/"El Pollo de Carlitos" was issued by Copper State in 1968, and was followed by "She's So Good to Me"/"Sunshine Superman" on California Artists a year later. Their self-titled debut album was billed to the International Ray Camacho & the Teardrops and released by California Artists in 1970, followed almost immediately by Ray Camacho & the Teardrops, from McAllen, Texas' Falcon.