Richard 'Scar' Lopez of Cannibal and the Headhunters Dead at 65

Your comment about fame and management puts me in mind of the post-Cus Mike Tyson--he could've chosen a REAL manager like Eddie Futch but no, it had to be Don King and we all know what happened to Iron Mike.
I found "So You Want to Rock" on YouTube--what a great song! I don't think it got any airplay in Detroit because I'd remember it if it had (I'll soon be 56 but literally grew up on Top 40 Radio and am one of those who can "name that tune in no notes," no doubt because I grew up exposed to the diversity of what was played on Top 40 stations. Wonderful times and thanks so much for contributing to them. As I previously posted, Land of 1000 Dances is, for my money, one of the all-time best (but then, what do I know? I was shocked that Martha & the Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street" never made it ANYWHERE on that stupid MTV list of "the all-time greatest rock songs).

Childless by Choice, you have a better understanding of the Headhunters than most of the writers. To begin with The Headhunter's were not a BAND as one writer stated, they were a VOCAL group with a studio band behind them. The re-make of "Land of a 1000 Dances" which was originally recorded by an artist I won't even print his name because of what HE did to the group in court that helped ruin their career. There are 1000's of stories about the Headhunters some true, some not true.
But they were the FIRST MEXICAN ROCK GROUP that put East Los Angeles on the MAP. I went to concerts and watched girls chase the Headhunters like the Beatles.
They were for REAL,it is a rumor that the Headhunters gave the Beatles the concept for " Baby You Can Ride in Car" and they could have been more than a ONE hit hit wonder if only Eddie L. Davis, could have controlled them, but once you have a touch of fame, you become your worst enemy and turn your back on your management. I was there and watched it not only with the Headhunters, but with Thee Enchantments a group I produced for Eddie. I was also a ONE hit wonder with "So You Want To Rock" But I wrote over 30 songs for Faro/Rampart artist and will always appreciate Eddie L. Davis for his visions.
Chick Carlton of the Majestics

Rest in peace, Scar!

Land of 1,000 Dances takes me back to you Tweenage years. I must have danced to that song 100 times, if not more. Fun music; fun times!

What about Micheal Been of The Call?

Rest in Peace. He and his group made some of the greates dance music in the 60s. I danced my heart (and legs) out to their music. Thanks to you all.

I remember my older sister watching some show on tv like that, when I wa sin 3rd grade. The blonde dancing popped up a memeory there! R.I.P. Richard Lopez!

"Land of 1000 Dances" is one of the all-time great rock songs and is certainly on my Top 100 list. I'm sure he's already jamming in the REAL Land of 1000 Dances; condolences to his family and friends.

The original band was a "One Hit Wonder." "Land of 1000 Dances" was an appealing record, but it really isn't much of a song -- the lyrics were weak then, and they're even more ridiculous today. This was a "party" record and it was all about the arrangement
-- lots of horns, multiple vocal chorus overdubs. At least the new band can play.

I had the wonderful experience of writing 3 songs for the Headhunter at the hight of their career. They recorded "Zulu King" -"Strange World"- and "Devil in Disguise" and their Cover picture on "Land of 1000 Dances" is the best group picture ever taken. They gave an appearence a few years ago at the College in Los Angeles which Hector A. Gonzalez produced. It was the last time I talked to "Scar" and he seemed to be very excited with the group back in the limelight. He will me missed by all his friends and family deeply.
Sincerely, Chick Carlton - Las Vegas, NV