Entertainment, Music - Air Force Times

‘Hippy-Hippy Shake’ singer first Latino in Rockabilly Hall of Fame

Chan Romero doesn’t look like the other Rockabilly Hall of Famers — he doesn’t have long sideburns or a pompadour ala Elvis.

What makes him even more distinctive is that Romero is Latino.

And he is the only Latino member of the Tennessee-based Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Technically, he’s an honorable mention member of that 10-year-old hall of fame. He’s listed as one of more than 5,000 rockabilly legends on their Web site.

But Hall of Famers Glen Glenn and Tommy Sands have certificates listing them as members of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

So does Sonny West, who was one of Elvis’ bodyguards.

Romero only discovered he’s not a certified hall of fame member when inquiries for this story were made.

Then Bob Timmers, founder of the hall, announced Romero will receive his certificate May 15 in Green Bay, Wis.., where he’ll perform at the Hall of Fame’s Rockabilly Party at the Riverside Ballroom.

“I think that is appropriate, as Ritchie Valens did one of his last shows there,” Timmers said via e-mail. “Chan has great ties to the Valens family.”

Valens, who was the subject of the film, “La Bamba,” also is only an honorable mention Rockabilly Hall of Famer.

Valens hasn’t been certified, Timmers said, because “we haven’t been able to connect with the right family member. I spoke with Manny [Montoya, Romero’s manager], and he will help us make this happen soon.”

Romero, who is 65, has had one significant hit — “The Hippy-Hippy Shake” in 1959. The Beatles covered it in the 1960s and included it on their “Live at the BBC” double album. It’s been featured in the films “Cocktail,” “Austin Powers” and “Angels in the Outfield.”

You still hear it

Today, it’s the theme song for a Slim Fast commercial.

“I probably could have lived off of that if I had wanted to,” Romero said in an interview. “But I always considered myself an ambitious guy.”

Instead, Romero started several small businesses and became an ordained minister. He figures he’s written 500 to 600 songs, but has only recorded a handful even though he’s had a small home recording studio for years.

Now the Rockabilly Hall of Fame has given him the marketability to perform again. He played with several Hall of Fame members last month at the Gold Coast Casino in Las Vegas.