Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

? AND THE MYSTERIANS

Pop band: Rudy '?' Martinez (b 1945), vocals; Robert Martinez, drums; Larry Borjas, guitar; Frank Rodriguez Jnr (b 9 March 1951, Crystal City TX), keyboards; Francisco Herandez Lugo (b 15 March 1947, Weslaco TX), bass. Originally called XYZ with ? they played their first gig in Adrian MI c.1964. Recorded '96 Tears' as the Mysterians for their manager's Pa-Go-Go label, pressing only 750 copies '66; it became the most requested record on WTAC Flint and KCLW Detroit, leading to a deal with Cameo and a million-selling American pop classic of the period. The band all claimed to be Mexican-born and affected an air of mystery; Rudy Martinez always wore sunglasses during interviews and photo sessions, and legally changed his name to ?. A note on the sleeve of the LP 96 Tears '66 revealed that Robert Martinez and Borjas had been drafted, replaced by Robert Lee 'Bobby' Balderrama (b 27 February 1950, O'Donnell TX) and Eduardo Delgardo 'Eddie' Serrato (b 5 December 1945, Encial TX). Second single 'I Need Somebody' charted (no. 22 '67), but three further singles on Cameo, next LP Action, one-off singles on Chicory, Capitol, Super did little; by '68 they had folded. Garland Jeffreys covered '96 Tears' for a minor hit '80; a new edition of ? And The Mysterians was formed that year with ? the only original member. During a 1981 interview in Goldmine he revealed that band had used a Vox organ; legend had maintained that sound had been due to use of a Farfisa. The trashy bar band sound of that hit still causes a rush of nostalgia for those of a certain age.