Gilbert Rodriguez, a pioneering Tejano musician who later became a beloved West Side restaurateur, has died. He was 86.
Rodriguez, who fronted the Chicano soul band Gilbert Rodriguez and the Blue Notes, opened Gilbert’s Mexican Restaurant on Marbach Road in 1982. The restaurant became known not only for its Tex-Mex food but also for its collection of photos, posters and memorabilia celebrating decades of Tejano music history.
“It is with heavy hearts — and deep gratitude for a life well-lived — that we share the passing of my grandfather this morning at 86 years old,” the family wrote Friday in a social media post.
“He was the heart and a beacon of light in this restaurant — a light that will forever burn bright in everything we do,” the family said. “Through the years, he built so much more than a business; he created a home surrounded by the love of his family and the incredible customers who meant the world to him. His legacy and spirit will always guide us.”
The family did not disclose a cause of death but said Rodriguez was “no longer in pain” and was “resting in eternal peace.”
Rodriguez is widely credited with helping shape the Tejano and Chicano soul sound of the 1960s and ’70s. His recordings with the Blue Notes are preserved in music and cultural archives, and songs including “Hay Un Momento,” “Mi Razón,” “Que Te Falta,” “Recuérdame” and “La Ley de la Vida” became regional favorites.
In 2019, Rodriguez received the Tejano Music Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame.
Within hours of the family’s announcement, tributes from radio stations, fellow musicians and longtime customers flooded social media.
Many remembered Rodriguez not only for helping shape Tejano music but also for celebrating its history inside Gilbert’s Mexican Restaurant, which some affectionately called the “Tejano Hard Rock Cafe.”
Others recalled his warmth and generosity, including his habit of handing out gum to children who visited the restaurant.
The outpouring echoed the community support Rodriguez received last year, when the community rallied to help keep Gilbert’s Mexican Restaurant from closing.
Members of the Rodriguez family continue to operate Gilbert’s Mexican Restaurant.
The family asked for prayers and invited people to share photos and memories of Rodriguez on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Dining and Cooking