Artist:Chris MontezSong:Let's Dance
Album:Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: National Lampoon's Animal House: 20th Anniversary Edition
The 1962 top five hit Let's Dance was the biggest hit and most memorable song by Latino pop singer Chris Montez. Some of his other songs charted and later he did OK in the Adult Contemporary market. But most folks will only be interested in Let's Dance. He was born Ezekiel Christopher Montanez Jan. 17, 1943 in Los Angeles. Of course we all know that Richie Valens was the first Latino pop star. After his death, there were attempts to find other Latino singers. Montez was discovered by producer Jim Lee. He wrote and produced Let's Dance. He was a producer for Indigo Records in the 50s and had his biggest success with teen pop singer Kathy Young. When he started his own label Monogram Records, he brought Kathy with him and signed Montez. Let's Dance reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. Follow up singles did OK but not as well. It wasn't enough to keep Monogram afloat. Montez signed with A & M Records in 1965 looking to find rock & roll magic. But Herb Alpert convinced Montez to sing softer ballads to reach a more adult market. He was successful on the Adult Contemporary charts but that did not convert to pop success and by the late 60s, Montez faded. There are Chris Montez comps available but I think most folks remember the song from the 1978 film Animal House. The soundtrack is available as a budget CD some multimedia enhancements. In the 70s, Montez turned to Spanish language recordings and he still tours the oldies circuit. He has a theatre in Branson, MO. And Frozen Pictures has produced the documentary El Viaje Musical de Ezekiel Montanez: The Chris Montez Story which has screened at a couple of film festivals. Here's Chris Montez performing Let's Dance 1973.
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