Cornelio Reyna was known to be a popular Regional Mexican singer who was also a composer, and actor. Born Cornelio Reyna Cisneros on the 16th of September 1940 he had to his name over 60 recordings. His rise to stardom wasn’t an easy feat but with it came so much love and acceptance from fans and followers.
Cornelio was born in Parras De La Fuente, Coahuila, Mexico and was a native of the city of Reynosa Tamaulipas. As a result of this, he was really fond of the area and kick-started his career there. Though his career was short-lived, he was still able to make an impact in the Mexican entertainment scene. This impact would always be remembered along with a lot of his hit songs.
Cornelio Reyna’s Life And Death
Cornelio was born in Mexico to parents, Maria Martinez Cisneros and Roman Modellin Reyna. He lived in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon for a while as a teenager before moving to Houston, Texas. While in Houston, Reyna worked as a bricklayer before he started writing songs, and singing. He, however, moved to Saltillo, Coahuila where this new career began.
By 1957, he formed a duet with Juan Pena named ‘Dueto Carta Blanca and frequently went to the Cadillac Bar. The bar was a meeting point for a lot of Northern Tamaulipas musicians. Moving forward, they sought to play professionally and then started frequenting several nightclubs. He also made acquaintances that helped him achieve his dream to a certain level.
By the 22nd of January 1997, after years of recording a lot of great songs, Cornelio died. He died in Mexico City from a stomach ulcer. His remains were later transported to Reynosa where it was welcomed amidst the sadness.
His death came as a shock to a lot of people because he was still so young and about a month before, on the 24th of December 1996, he concluded a tour. While on tour in 1996, Reyna performed at a lot of cities in the United States of America.
Who Is Cornelio Reyna’s Wife?
The Mexican bajo sexto player got married to Mercedes Castro who is also a singer. Mercedes is famous for singing Mariachi music. The couple had a son together who was named Cornelio Reyna Jr. Mercedes is associated with Amparo Higuera as she sings with her. Amparo was one of the duos of the Mexican group known as ‘Las Jiguerilla’.
The group was formed by sisters Amparo and Imelda Higuera. While Imelda, unfortunately, died in 2004, Amparo is known to be the last surviving member of the group. Now she works with Mercedes Castro the widowed wife of Cornelio Reyna.
Other Unknown Facts About Cornelio Reyna
1. The Start Of ‘Los Relampagos del Norte’
In the Cadillac Bar in 1961, Reyna met Ramon Covarrubias who was later known as Ramon Ayala. Ayala was a shoeshiner who was in need of a job. However, upon realizing how talented the young man was with playing the accordion, he was invited by Juna Pena to replace him as Cornelio’s partner.
As a result of this, Reyna and Ayala changed the name of their group to ‘Los Relampagos del Norte’. Ramon was a great accordionist and Cornelio shone as a lead singer and songwriter. Together, they began to find fame and recognition as a formidable group.
By 1963, they got a recording deal from Bego Records who offered to record their first album. In this album, Los Relampagos del Norte produced their first hit song titled ‘Ya No Llores’. This was the song that propelled the group to its fame across Texas.
2. His Solo Career Wasn’t As Successful As His Group Career
After almost a decade of working together, the duo decided to part ways. Reyna moved to Mexico and started off a solo career there as a Mariachi singer. He even recorded an LP as a Mariachi singer.
Unfortunately, he did not garner as much fame as he should have with his solo career. Many still regard his years with Ayala to be the best years of his music career. However, up till his death, he kept a close relationship with his former music partner, Ramon Ayala.
3. About Cornelio Reyna’s Acting Career
While pursuing a career as a Mariachi singer, Cornelio also delved into acting. In addition to his music career, he got involved in the cinema and interpreted some of his musical creations. He worked with Ruben Galindo and appeared in about 30 films some of which included his songs.
4. Reyna’s Legacy
Even with his death, the Mariachi singer still has a lasting legacy for haven produced classic hit songs. The hit song ‘Ya No Llores’ which was included in Ramon’s latest CD also titled ‘Ya No Llores’ was the beginning of this fame. His fans are also still quite dedicated to his songs from way back.
Also, with Cornelio’s unique vocal dexterity and Ayala’s skill with the accordion, the duo was able to carve a niche for their type of music which remains a unique style copied by even new-day groups and singers. Cornelio and Ramon’s music style was laid on an unforgettably strong foundation.
5. Net Worth
Cornelio Reyna was a successful singer while he was alive. With his career as the founder of two Mexican singing groups and as a solo Mariachi singer, he had a net worth estimated to be within $1.5 – $1.7 million.
