Edmundo Martinez Tostado, better known as Don Tosti, was a true pioneer of Chicano rock-and-roll music. Born in El Paso in 1923, he was raised by his maternal grandparents and developed a passion for music at a young age. Nicknamed Don Tosti by his teachers, he began taking music lessons to stay out of trouble and quickly became a prodigy, mastering seven different instruments.
Tosti’s big break came while studying accounting at L.A. City College in 1943 when he was asked to fill in as a bass player for a jazz band. Impressed by his talent, jazz trombonist Jack Teagarden offered him a job in New York, kickstarting his career in the music industry. Tosti went on to perform with various swing band leaders and eventually formed his own group, the Pachuco Boogie Boys, with other Chicano musicians.
One of Tosti’s most significant achievements was the release of his hit song “Pachuco Boogie” in 1948, which became the first million-selling Latin song. He continued to produce music, sign with RCA records, and even have his own TV show in Los Angeles. In 1963, Tosti moved to Palm Springs where he composed music, taught music lessons, and wrote for other prominent musicians in the industry.
Throughout his career, Tosti made a lasting impact on the music scene and was recognized for his contributions with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. He passed away in 2004 and is buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering Chicano rock-and-roll music.
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