After the Ortiz family settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, their first musical foray was as the Ortiz Trio, evidently consisting of siblings Ruben Ortiz, Anita Ortiz and Steven Ortiz. Ruben described the music as “Ranchero style and Bolero style”.
After they moved East, the band’s name was changed to the Coronados; Ruben changed his name slightly to Reuben Ortiz, and Steven Ortiz masqueraded as a brother-in-law, rather than a brother, by the name of Steven Coronado. Sources vary, with some saying that Anita Ortiz continued in the Coronados; but at least by 1965, Reuben’s wife Ginger Ortiz was on board. The Coronados recorded numerous 45’s and one album, called Hey, Love!; their music was released on Jubilee Records and RCA Victor Records.
My copy of Silverbird’s second album Broken Treaties went through Hurricane Katrina, so all I have is the disk. If not for a blog at www.weapon-shaped.com, I might not have gotten all of the bandmembers’ names on the album: Reuben Ortiz, Joerey Ortiz, Perry Ortiz, Steven Coronado, Gilbert Ortiz, Ginger Coronado (now also a Coronado, like Steven), and Mark Ortiz.
(August 2013)
