Saltillo, Mexico

16 de septiembre de 1940

Mexican singer and actor Cornelio Reyna (born Cornelio Reyna Cisneros) worked as a bricklayer before turning into traditional music, mainly influenced by local star José Alfredo Jiménez. At the age of 16, he started playing bajo sexto, a popular bass guitar that superficially resembles a 12-string guitar. In 1960, the promising musician met Ramón Ayala and decided to team up with him to assemble a norteño act called Los Relampagos del Norte. After more than a decade playing together, Ramón Ayala decided to form his own outfit, Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte, while Cornelio Reyna started pursuing his acting career. ~ Drago Bonacich