Few people can say they had The Beatles as an opening act. Chris Montez is one.
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After his first single Let’s Dance hit the top 10 in the US, he toured with Sam Cooke (You Send Me, Cupid), The Platters and Smokey Robinson. The following year he was on tour in the United Kingdom with Tommy Roe (Dizzy, Sweet Pea). Montez was set for a gig in Liverpool with the British foursome opening for him.
“I had no idea who they were on the first night,” Montez says. “After their set, I thought these guys can rock. They had obviously paid their dues. I thought they would be famous,” he laughs.
Montez became friends The Beatles while on that tour . “Later I could see I had some influence on them. They styled their suits like my jacket,” he says.
The California born artist was initially influenced by his his Hispanic background, singing rancheras – traditional Mexican music – with his four older brothers.
His father had died when he was young and with four sisters as well as he and his brothers, the family struggled. His brothers took jobs to pay the rent. Montez was the only one to get an education.
His brothers also taught him how to play guitar. In his junior year at Hawthorne High School he formed a band and recorded his original songs. “I wasn’t planning to be famous, but it sort of happened by mistake,” Montez says.
“We made a demo and sent it to a few places and an engineer called up some executives at Monogram Records and told them they should listen to it.
“I came home from school and there was a message to call them.”
Montez says one minute he was watching American Banstand and the next thing he knew he was on it.
After a hectic three years touring, Montez came home to complete his education and change labels. Herb Alpert, who had signed him to his record label A & M Records, stopped by one of his first recording sessions and suggested he try a softer style. The result was hits The More I See You, There Will Never Be Another You, Call Me and Time After Time.
This is his first time in Australia and he says he is honoured to be performing with The Crystals (And Then He Kissed Me, Da Do Ron Ron, He’s a Rebel), including original member Dee Dee Kenniebrew.
Now aged 75, Montez keeps fit by running, boxing and karate. “If the Lord is in your life, you have everything. Just keep things as simple as can be and your mind clear.”
