Tejano Legend Piano-Accordionist Beto Salinas Passed Away In Texas

Salinas was well known in the Mexican-American and Tejano social dance circles in the late 1960's to early 1970's in Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 14, 2020

San Antonio, Texas - On Saturday, Roberto Estrada Salinas, "Beto Salinas", 79, passed away in San Antonio. Salinas was originally from the town of San Javier in the municipality of General Trevino, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He began to play the guitar and piano-accordion in his early life at local dance halls, cantinas (bars) including in churches. Salinas played with the duet Estrella for time and Chelelo from 1958 to 1959 before moving to the U.S.

In the 1960's to early 1970's, Salinas became very popular for his polka conjunto style of music and performed special events including at the popular Tony de la Rosa Bar in the 900 block of S. 16th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and at the well known Latino (Mexican-American-Tejano) social epicenter dance hall known as the National Ballroom at the 600 block of W. National Ave.

Salinas along with other Mexican-American and Tejano musicians were very instrumental in keeping the polkas, rancheras and cumbias including the culture alive in those historic days where Latinos sparked the movement for civil rights, social change, equality, job opportunities, bilingual education and higher education in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin.

Salinas later moved to Texas where he performed with other groups known as conjuntos. He also played with the late Steve Jordan, another conjunto legend who played Mexican-American and Tejano conjunto style of venue (polkas).

Salinas also recorded songs with Eloy Bernal, El Macho Solice, Juan Sifuentes, Armando Peña and Joe Ramos.