Pioneering Mexican American country musician Johnny Rodriguez passed away on May 9, 2025, in the presence of his family, as announced by his daughter, Aubry Rae Rodriguez, on Instagram. He was 73.
Rodriguez had entered hospice care earlier in the week. His daughter posted the announcement on social media on Saturday, May 10, paying tribute to her father.
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Johnny Rodriguez, who left us peacefully on May 9th, surrounded by family,” Aubry wrote on Instagram. “Dad was not only a legendary musician whose artistry touched millions around the world, but also a deeply loved husband, father, uncle, and brother whose warmth, humor, and compassion shaped the lives of all who knew him.”
Born Juan Raul Davis Rodriguez in 1951 in Sabinal, Texas, Rodriguez became a prominent figure as one of the first successful Hispanic artists in country music. His music uniquely combined traditional country with Mexican-influenced Tejano elements, creating a style that resonated with audiences nationwide.
Rodriguez’s journey to fame began with an unexpected encounter. At 18, while briefly in jail for a minor offense, a Texas Ranger heard him singing and mentioned him to music promoter Happy Shahan. This led to performances at Shahan’s Alamo Village tourist attraction, where he was discovered by country stars Bobby Bare and Tom T. Hall. Hall later assisted Rodriguez in moving to Nashville, Tennessee, and joining his band as a guitarist before he signed with Mercury Records in 1972.
His debut album, “Introducing Johnny Rodriguez,” released in 1973, topped Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. The album featured the hit single “Pass Me By (If You’re Only Passing Through)” and was nominated for Album of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Rodriguez reached the height of his career between 1973 and 1978, achieving six No. 1 hit singles and 20 Top 10 performances on the U.S. country charts. His notable chart-toppers included “You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me),” “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico,” “That’s the Way Love Goes,” “I Just Can’t Get Her Out Of My Mind,” “Just Get Up and Close the Door,” and “Love Put a Song in My Heart.”
The Academy of Country Music named him Most Promising Male Vocalist in 1973. He received additional nominations throughout his career, including Male Vocalist of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards.
Rodriguez stood out by integrating his Mexican American heritage into his music. He occasionally sang verses in Spanish and incorporated mariachi and Tex-Mex elements into his country sound. In an interview for Ken Burns’ documentary series “Country Music,” Rodriguez highlighted the natural connection between his cultural influences, noting that the musical traditions “said almost the same thing, just in different languages.”
His talent extended beyond the country music sphere, leading to performances for several U.S. presidents, including Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush, and playing at Bush’s inaugural ball. In 2007, the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame inducted him, alongside figures like Buddy Holly, Buck Owens, and Willie Nelson.
Rodriguez was married three times. His first marriage was to Linda Diann Patterson, a flight attendant. In 1995, he married Lana Nelson, Willie Nelson’s daughter, though the marriage ended after seven months. In 1998, he married Debbie McNeely, a hair salon owner from San Marcos, Texas, and they had a daughter, Aubry, born that year.
Despite his musical achievements, Rodriguez encountered personal difficulties. In August 1998, he was charged with the murder of a 28-year-old acquaintance, whom he shot, mistaking him for a burglar at his mother’s home. A jury acquitted him in October 1999. He also struggled with substance abuse but later overcame addictions to cocaine and alcohol.
Although his commercial success declined in later years, Rodriguez continued to perform, particularly in Texas. His contributions to country music paved the way for other Hispanic artists in the genre.
Earlier this year, his daughter Aubry carried on his legacy, releasing her first single, “Pass Me By,” with Vinny Tovar, in tribute to her father’s influence.
In her statement about his passing, Aubry referred to her father as an “extraordinary talent” and “irreplaceable,” and asked for privacy for the family as they grieve.
Rodriguez is survived by his daughter Aubry, who continues to honor his musical legacy.
