In Memoriam
Tejano music legend and TV host Johnny Canales passed away on June 12, 2024, he was 67. Canales will be remembered for a giving soul who was there to illuminate and give a hand up to new Tejano talent on his show, the Corpus Christi-based TV show The Johnny Canales Show, which ran from 1983 to the mid 1990’s.
He would introduce young and well known music talents with his signature phrase “You Got It, Take it Away”. It was a show that captivated audiences near and far introducing talents like a teenage Selena who appeared on his show a couple of times before her career took off. Canales was known at that time as the “Mexican American Dick Clark”.
Author, Filmmaker, & Activist David Damian Figueroa, was a friend of Canales throughout the years. Figueroa, who was a publicist back in the day, would bring his clients to Canales show. In honor of Canales’ legacy Figueroa said:
“Johnny Canales was a true American hero who championed the uniquely American music genre of Tejano. His influence extended far beyond borders, as his show was broadcast in 23 countries, showcasing the vibrant sounds of Tejano music to a global audience.
Canales’s ability to seamlessly blend Spanglish, with his tagline delivered in English to an audience that predominantly spoke Spanish, further solidifies his legendary status. His story serves as a testament to the power of music to transcend language barriers and unite people from diverse backgrounds.
He was instrumental in inspiring other Corpus Christi hometown talents, like Selena, Freddy Fender, Pepe Serna, and Eva Longoria, who all went on to become icons in their own right. As for me, Johnny was my good friend, compadre, and colleague. He taught me a lot about the entertainment business and civil rights and how to merge both to help our community. Johnny Canales’ legacy as a pioneer in promoting.”
David Damian Figueroa
There is a documentary currently in post production entitled Take It Away: The Rise and Fall of Tejano Hollywood that will recount Canales’ significant contribution to Tejano music.The documentary will shed light on Canales’ significant contributions to the Tejano music scene and his enduring legacy.
Canales’ legacy will live on in our hearts, in the talent he showcased, and now in this upcoming documentary