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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMONTEZ, Chris(b 17 Jan. '43, L.A.) Singer, schoolmate of the Beach Boys who cut his first single at 17: "She's My Rockin' Baby'. Chicano sound mixed pop with infl. from south of the border. Became protégé of producer Jim Lee, who formed Monogram label for him; second single on Monogram "Let's Dance' was as insubstantial as most dance-craze hits, but an international hit (no. 16 USA/3 UK). Follow-up (no. 43) "Some Kinda Fun', co- written with Lee, still sold a million, reached top 10 UK where he toured in a package incl. Beatles. After these '62-3 hits his nasal delivery with rinky-dink organ backing was tiresome; he re-emerged on A&M '66 as a crooner with six top 40 hits USA that year with old standards. But "Let's Dance' wouldn't lie down; on reissue it made top 10 UK '72 and just missed top 40 '79, its infectious Chicano sound and one-finger keyboard making it (along with Richie Valens' "La Bamba') a cabaret staple still. |