A seminal force in the development of Tex-Mex music, Tejano star “Roberto Pulido” was born and raised in Edinburg, Texas. Upon graduating from high school, he attended Pan American University on a music scholarship, later moving into a teaching career while continuing to perform club dates on weekends.
In 1974, Pulido formed his backing band Los Clasicos, honing a distinctive and innovative sound fusing the traditional Tejano orquesta brass style with accordion-based Conjunto; quickly the group became a sensation, scoring a hit with the single "Copa Tres Copa." Pulido -- affectionately dubbed "El Primo" by fans. He remained at the forefront of the Tejano industry throughout the years and decades which followed, issuing dozens of LPs and notching countless hit singles.
Defined as a hybrid of traditional Mexican rancheras, polkas and cumbias, updated with blues and pop country, Tejano music began to take hold in the 1970’s, led by dozens of talented Mexican-American Musicans including “Roberto Pulido”.
Pulido, “El Primo”, as he is affectionately known, endured amazing challenges and fame in the ever so tough Tejano Music Industry known as “la Onda Tejana”. Unfairly portrayed for years by the American mainstream entertainment media as being dance hall entertainment only for poor, working class Chicanos. Tejano Music has defied its critics for generations, with a wealth of bands from Texas drawing large loyal followings.
“El Primo” has produced over thirty top-selling albums throughout his career. His tours have taken him to practically every state in the U.S. and parts of the Northern Mexico and continue to attract large audiences. To many, Pulido is considered to be a living legend.
In addition, he has produced various music and television programs and received honors for his contributions to Tejano Music Industry. He also established the “Roberto Pulido Music Endowment Scholarship Fund” at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg and the University of Texas at Brownsville to help aspiring music students. Also, Pulido received an induction into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame. Pulido is involved in the “Tres Amigos Tour”, a tour that involves Little Joe Y la Familia, Ruben Ramos & Texas Revolution and of course Roberto Pulido. These 3 artists came together and record the smash hit “Tres Amigos” on Roberto’s CD entitled “Bien Pulido”. The tour was a huge success and attracted 70,000 fans at the 2003 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Currently, Roberto is promoting his latest CD entitled “Vino, Tequila Y Cerveza”, which features his collaboration with Little Joe and Ruben Ramos as “Los Tres Amigos”. The trio recorded “Falsos Amores” and the title track Vino, Tequila Y Cerveza. This CD also includes re-recordings of ten of Pulido’s biggest hits.
Despite the longevity of his vast success in the often fickle entertainment, the durable artist has remained true to himself, his music and the last but not least… his FANS!
