Iconic Mexican accordion king Ramón Ayala is in Fresno Saturday. Is he really retiring?
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When the king of the accordion Ramón Ayala announced his “El Principio de un Final Tour 2024” (The Beginning of an End tour) back in February, speculation started. Is he retiring? Could this tour be his farewell?
Ayala’s Instagram account confirmed the speculation on a Feb. 17 post where the norteño legend announced the beginning of a farewell tour.
At a Feb. 27 press conference in Anaheim, Ayala said “Este es el principio, el final yo no lo se todavia.” (This is the beginning; I don’t know the end yet.”
While he hasn’t given a date for his official retirement, Ayala will be in Fresno to perform Saturday (May 18) at Chuckchansi Park.
On his Instagram account this week he extended a special invitation to the fans in the Valley to join him at the venue to see him on stage one more time before his retirement.
“Hello, how are you my friends, this is Ramón Ayala from the group Los Bravos del Norte. We want to invite you to be with us this Saturday, May 18, at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, California,” said the norteño music pioneer on the social media platform.
“So, if you like and want, we will see you there, because your friend Ramón Ayala and Los Bravos del Norte will be performing this Saturday.
While the Fresno’s stop is not part of his official tour, Ayala will be performing along with Gerardo Ortiz, La Adictiva, Codigo FN, Los Dorados and Banda Corona del Rey.
Ayala has sustained an active recording and performing career for more than 60 years, starting as part of the duo Los Relámpagos del Norte, along with Cornelio Reyna. In 1971 he formed his own group, “Ramón Ayala y sus Bravos del Norte.”
He composed the popular dance hall tune “Un Riconcito en el Cielo” (A Little Corner in Heaven) in 2001, and has pocketed four Grammys.
As one of the greatest exponents of regional Mexican music, Ayala has performed in Fresno many times including the Paul Paul Theater during the Big Fresno Fair in 2023.
He had three sold out performances to celebrate Cinco de Mayo weekend in various cities in California including a stop at Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville where he sang some of his hits like “Casas de Cartón,” “Qué Casualidad,” “Tragos Amargos”, “Mi Piquito de Oro,” “Mi Golondrina” y “Del Otro Lado del Portón.”
In conjunction with the Hermes Music Foundation, the artist will give away instruments at each of his presentations from his tour. He also released a new single titled “El Retén” in March.
