Hundreds gathered in Albuquerque on Friday for a rosary service to honor Al Hurricane Jr., a musician whose voice helped define New Mexico music, just hours before he is laid to rest. Born in 1959 into one of New Mexico’s most iconic musical families, Al Hurricane Jr. was surrounded by music from the start. Following in the footsteps of his father, Al Hurricane, known as “The Godfather” of New Mexico music, Al Jr. carried the family name and made it his own. “When my dad passed away, I think he got a little worried: would people accept him? And they embraced him even more,” his brother, Jerry Dean Sanchez, told KOAT. Al Hurricane Jr.’s voice became a staple at concerts, fiestas, sporting events, and on radios across the Southwest. To fans, “El Godson” was more than a performer; he was a symbol of culture, community, and home. “No matter where he was, he just loved being on stage — and he became, kind of like dad,” Jerry Dean said. Jeremy Sanchez, Al Jr.’s nephew, shared fond memories of his uncle, who was affectionately nicknamed “Birb.” “We called him Birb, Uncle Birb, and that was a nickname given to him when he was younger. But he would always be at my birthday parties … always, getting cards or always had a present for me,” Sanchez said. Sanchez said his uncle helped shape his life, mentoring him as he learned to sing in Spanish. When he received the news of Al Jr.’s death, the loss felt unreal. “I was actually at work, and I got a call from my auntie,” Sanchez said. “I was just really in shock and disbelief, to be honest. I kind of really didn’t think it was real.” Al Jr. suffered a heart attack on May 19, according to his family.”He was pretty healthy, aside from getting older and we all have to take medication for this or that,” Dean said. Now, the family is left to grieve a loss that feels both sudden and immense. “I just love him and miss him so much,” Jerry Dean said. In Al Jr.’s absence, Dean is finding ways to honor his brother, including performing in his place at the San Felipe de Neri Church fiestas. “I think I would love the fans to remember him — what a genuine person he is. He had a beautiful smile,” Dean said. While Al Hurricane Jr.’s passing marks the end of an era, his legacy will continue to echo across New Mexico and beyond. “One thing about music is music lives on forever, and I think Al Hurricane Jr.’s music will live on forever. He lives on forever here in my heart. His music’s going to live on forever. So if you want to keep his memory alive, just listen to the music,” Dean said. A funeral mass for Al Hurricane Jr. will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. The service is open to the public.
Hundreds gathered in Albuquerque on Friday for a rosary service to honor Al Hurricane Jr., a musician whose voice helped define New Mexico music, just hours before he is laid to rest.
Born in 1959 into one of New Mexico’s most iconic musical families, Al Hurricane Jr. was surrounded by music from the start. Following in the footsteps of his father, Al Hurricane, known as “The Godfather” of New Mexico music, Al Jr. carried the family name and made it his own.
“When my dad passed away, I think he got a little worried: would people accept him? And they embraced him even more,” his brother, Jerry Dean Sanchez, told KOAT.
Al Hurricane Jr.’s voice became a staple at concerts, fiestas, sporting events, and on radios across the Southwest. To fans, “El Godson” was more than a performer; he was a symbol of culture, community, and home.
“No matter where he was, he just loved being on stage — and he became, kind of like dad,” Jerry Dean said.
Jeremy Sanchez, Al Jr.’s nephew, shared fond memories of his uncle, who was affectionately nicknamed “Birb.”
“We called him Birb, Uncle Birb, and that was a nickname given to him when he was younger. But he would always be at my birthday parties … always, getting cards or always had a present for me,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez said his uncle helped shape his life, mentoring him as he learned to sing in Spanish. When he received the news of Al Jr.’s death, the loss felt unreal.
“I was actually at work, and I got a call from my auntie,” Sanchez said. “I was just really in shock and disbelief, to be honest. I kind of really didn’t think it was real.”
Al Jr. suffered a heart attack on May 19, according to his family.
“He was pretty healthy, aside from getting older and we all have to take medication for this or that,” Dean said.
Now, the family is left to grieve a loss that feels both sudden and immense.
“I just love him and miss him so much,” Jerry Dean said.
In Al Jr.’s absence, Dean is finding ways to honor his brother, including performing in his place at the San Felipe de Neri Church fiestas.
“I think I would love the fans to remember him — what a genuine person he is. He had a beautiful smile,” Dean said.
While Al Hurricane Jr.’s passing marks the end of an era, his legacy will continue to echo across New Mexico and beyond.
“One thing about music is music lives on forever, and I think Al Hurricane Jr.’s music will live on forever. He lives on forever here in my heart. His music’s going to live on forever. So if you want to keep his memory alive, just listen to the music,” Dean said.
A funeral mass for Al Hurricane Jr. will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. The service is open to the public.
