My Favorite Songs: "96 Tears" ? and the Mysterians (1966)
By John Roberts
@JohnRoberts (109845)
Los Angeles, California
April 14, 2016 9:40am CST
Is that a coll band name or what? ? was lead singer Rudy Martinez and the name was borrowed from a sci-fi movie titled "The Mysterians." "96 Tears" was a big hit reaching number one on Billboard. Not bad for a garage band from Michigan comprised of sons of Hispanic migrant workers. ? and the Mysterians may well be the first all Hispanic rock group to score a #1. The band has been called a one hit wonder but they did chart other songs though none as big as "96 Tears." Appearing on their self titled debut album, "96 Tears" was written by Martinez who always wore dark sunglasses. The unforgettable distinctive feature of "96 Tears" is the organ play which drives and dominates the song. There is nothing else like it. After a long organ intro, Martinez sings "Too many teardrops for one heart to carry on, you gonna cry 96 tears, cry, cry, cry." The song is not really rock, pop, psychedelic or Latin flavored. "96 Tears" is a unique sound. Oddly enough, the song has been described as a forerunner of punk
From Detroit's 'Swingin' Time', 1966. **Link to 2011 video**: http://www.use.com/2ec36578a05ec9324d28 Rude or racist comments will be deleted.
10 people like this
9 responses
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Apr 16
I get a bit of a psychedelic feel from it,but it is a classic piece of garage rock.
@JohnRoberts (109845)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Apr 16
It is from the beginning of the psychedelic era and Martinez dressed the part. I always found the song unique.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Apr 16
@JohnRoberts - I can't really remember anything like it at the moment. Definitely unique.
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
15 Apr 16
great song, and a great band - for years I thought the name was a mis-spelling of Mysterons, the villains in Captain Scarlet who had their own distinctive theme tune composed by Barry Grey
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@xstitcher (34323)
• Petaluma, California
14 Apr 16
Agh. No offense, but that is one of my least favorite songs ever.
@RasmaSandra (85579)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Apr 16
@JohnRoberts I remember that song. I was kinda catchy.
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
15 Apr 16
PBS recently did a show about hits from the 60s and Martinez was one of the performers. I think everyone was lip syncing, but I didn't care. It was nice to see so many of the old music makers today and hear all the music. :)
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
14 Apr 16
I remember that song. It was a hit the year I graduated high school.
