REFERENCE TITLE: Ronstadt family; contributions to Arizona

State of Arizona Senate Fiftieth Legislature Second Regular Session 2012

SCR 1009

Introduced by Senators Aboud, Cajero Bedford, Gallardo, Gray, Lopez: Griffin, Jackson, Landrum Taylor, Lujan, Nelson, Reagan, Shooter; Representatives Alston, Hobbs, Yee

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

honoring the ronstadt family for their tremendous musical contributions to the state of arizona.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, Federico José María Ronstadt arrived in Tucson from Sonora, Mexico in 1882 to serve as an apprentice blacksmith at a wagon shop.  While he went on to become an accomplished wagon maker and opened his own wagon‑making establishment in 1892, Fred Ronstadt, as he was better known, was equally accomplished as a musician.  He brought with him from Mexico a love of music of all kinds, and from the very beginning music was a central part of the Ronstadt family home.  His children had fond memories of Fred playing guitar outdoors while singing old songs from Sonora.  Around 1889, Fred and several friends formed the Club Filarmónico de Tucson, one of the city's earliest orchestral groups, for which Fred wrote much of the music; and

Whereas, Fred's children continued the family musical tradition by becoming accomplished musicians in their own right.  Fred's daughter, Luisa Espinel, became an internationally known interpreter of Spanish song and dance in the 1930's.  His sons, William, Alfred, Gilbert and Edward instilled in their own children a love of music and singing, and Gilbert's daughter, Linda Ronstadt, has achieved international acclaim and earned 11 Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, an Emmy Award and an American Latino Media Arts Award, as well as had numerous national and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums.  Today in Tucson, a new generation — Fred's greatgrandchildren — continues the tradition of performing a unique blend of both Mexican and American folk and popular songs, both old and new; and

Whereas, for six generations, the Ronstadt family has had a profound impact on Tucson's formation and growth from a western territorial village to an urban metropolis.  On the occasion of Arizona's Centennial celebration, it is indeed fitting that we honor this outstanding family for their efforts to preserve and share unique family and regional songs that have been sung in the Sonoran desert for well over one hundred years.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the Members of the Legislature extend well-deserved recognition to the members of the Ronstadt family and extend appreciation for their tremendous contributions to the cultural history of the American Southwest.