In small town living there aren’t many options for fun, many assume. There are no amusement parks, no skating rinks, no movie theaters, no bowling alleys, no recreation centers.
People have typically asked, what did you do for fun, well try bonfires with friends and music blaring from the many car radios, each taking a turn so their battery didn’t die. Try Sunday picnics and fishing in Box Canyon with your friends or try the occasional record hop playing and dancing to all the latest Beatles, Rolling Stones, Animals or Beach Boys singles, or the annual Homecoming Dance when we still had a high school. We loved weddings because that meant a wedding dance.
Clearly, we had the best time growing up in northern New Mexico, and nothing spoke best to our hearts than the New Mexican sound of Gus y Gus, led by Amalia’s native son, Gustavo Vallejos who recently passed at the age of 83.
Being a New Mexico norteño means not only are you a lover of Rock n Roll classics, you also love country music and click your heels or boots to New Mexico music, like Vallejo’s Dale Gas.
Gus Vallejos was an electrician by trade but an incredibly respected role model to the many teenagers and adults he entertained on a Saturday night. We will never forget him, his music and the kind and honest man he was.
It’s very difficult to be considered a role model in a small town where everyone knows everyone, and all eyes are upon you, but Vallejos succeeded in gaining that honor.
Vallejos played at our wedding reception and sang the very traditional Spanish, La Entrega as we begin our life together. We continued to hear him play at various dances in our adult years and he occasionally dedicated a love song to us.
Gustavo, your existence and music left this world a better place. Vaya con Dios!
