Chan Romero

Chan Romero (July 7, 1941 – April 21, 2024) was an American rock and roll musician and singer-songwriter best known for his 1959 song "Hippy Hippy Shake.

Early life Robert Lee Romero was born on July 7, 1941 in Billings, Montana. His father was of Spanish and Apache descent, and his mother was of Mexican, Cherokee, and Irish heritage. Both parents relocated to Montana from Colorado during the Great Depression seeking employment as migrant farm workers. Frequently barefoot as a child, Romero's grandfather affectionally described him in Spanish as "Chano," referring to "little boy with pig's feet.

Commercial breakthrough (1959-1960) The following year, "Hippy Hippy Shake" was released on Del-Fi Records in July 1959, initially in North America. Subsequently released in Australia and the United Kingdom, the track caught the attention of Paul McCartney and The Beatles in their formative years, covering the song live while performing at the Cavern Club in Liverpool and at the Star-Club in Hamburg. Simultaneously, the song took off in Australia and Romero's popularity led to his billing and touring alongside Jerry Lee Lewis in 1960.

Romero became the first Latino to be inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Personal life Romero's musical style bore a strong resemblance to that of Ritchie Valens, who was the same age, of a similar heritage, and was likewise signed to Del-Fi Records. Valens' death on February 3, 1959 allowed Romero to meet Valens' grieving mother, Bobbie Valenzuela, and the two formed a close, lifelong bond such that Romero would stay at her home when visiting Los Angeles, and slept in Valens' former bedroom. He remained a close family friend and regularly performed at the annual Ritchie Valens Memorial Concert in Pacoima, California.

Discography

Albums TitleNoteHip Shakin' Chan Romero Bought with a Price Singles A-sideB-sideYearNote"Hippy Hippy Shake""If I Had a Way"1959 "I Don't Care Now""My Little Ruby"1959"Funny Things""Funny Things"1965"Humpy Bumpy""Humpy Bumpy"1966