CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY- SECOND COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-17-173 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Ken Sanchez, Klarissa Peña, Isaac Benton
RESOLUTION
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Naming The Existing Stage And Buildings At Civic Plaza As The “Al Hurricane Sr. Pavilion At Civic Plaza” In Honor Of Al Hurricane Sr., The Godfather Of New Mexico Music, For His Dedication And Commitment To Our Great City And State And For His Remarkable Six Decade Music Career (Sanchez, Peña, Benton)
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NAMING THE EXISTING STAGE AND BUILDINGS AT CIVIC PLAZA AS THE “AL HURRICANE SR. PAVILION AT CIVIC PLAZA” IN HONOR OF AL HURRICANE SR., THE GODFATHER OF NEW MEXICO MUSIC, FOR HIS DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO OUR GREAT CITY AND STATE AND FOR HIS REMARKABLE SIX DECADE MUSIC CAREER.
WHEREAS, Civic Plaza was created in 1974 to host outdoor events in the heart of Albuquerque and is the largest public space in the center of downtown, with a sizable performance stage set to entertain up to 20,000 people; and
WHEREAS, Alberto Nelson Sanchez, “Al Hurricane”, a native New Mexican, is an American singer-songwriter who has released more than thirty albums throughout his career of over six decades. He is best known for his contributions to New Mexico’s unique style of Spanish music. Al received his nickname Hurricane, as a child as he was often accidentally knocking things over. The nickname became part of his musical career and image; and
WHEREAS, Al Hurricane often performs with several of his children, Al Hurricane, Jr., Jerry Dean, and daughter Erika, as well as with his brothers Baby Gaby and Tiny Morrie. Al is known as a great family member to his immediate family as well as to his New Mexican family of fans; and
WHEREAS, Al was the first of four children to Jose Margarito and Bennie Sanchez, who had a band of their own called Los Sanchez. While supporting his family as a miner, Jose, Al's father, still found time to teach Alberto how to play the guitar, and his mother found time to teach him songs and be his biggest fan; and
WHEREAS, the family moved to Albuquerque, where Al began to play and perform in Old Town at the age of twelve which launched a career that has lasted more than six decades. Al Hurricane has performed alongside the greats of music, including Fats Domino, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Clanton, and Chubby Checker; and
WHEREAS, Al Hurricane has always loved music and turned to it in the good and challenging times of his life. He has performed throughout the United States and in Spain, Mexico, Argentina and Paraguay, but has stayed true to his New Mexican roots. All generations of New Mexicans can relate to and love his music. Al contributes his success to his fans of Albuquerque and New Mexico as a whole; and
WHEREAS, The Al Hurricane Band concerts always have people dancing to the tunes of rancheras, cumbias, polkas, country and good old rock ‘n’ roll. Al Hurricane and his band have often entertained the crowds of Summer Fest at Civic Plaza with no one wanting the night or the music to end; and
WHEREAS, no other New Mexico group has produced as much music as the Al Hurricane Band, and the City Council desires to recognize his long love for music and the community of Albuquerque.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
Section 1. The stage and attached buildings in Civic Plaza shall be named the “Al Hurricane Sr. Pavilion at Civic Plaza” in honor of his long and distinguished musical career and community services to the City of Albuquerque, the State of New Mexico and the music community.
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