Punk Rock Predecessors

Last week in Music I discussed a Number 1 song that many people believe to be one of the most groundbreaking in all of rock and roll: “96 Tears.”

Groundbreaking. Revolucionario
Tear / teardrop. Lágrima

On October 29, 1966, ? (Question Mark) and the Mysterians took it to number one in the USA.



The lead singer of the group went by the mysterious name of ? (Question Mark). He always wore dark sunglasses, trying to keep his real identity a secret.

To wear (wore / worn). Llevar, llevar puesto

But it’s no secret. Question Mark’s real name is Rudy Martinez.

Rudy Martinez was born in Mexico and raised in Michigan along with his fellow Mysterians: lead guitarist Robert Balderrama, keyboardist Frank Rodriguez, bassist Frank Lugo and drummer Edward Serrato. Not only did they become one of the first successful Latino rock groups in the USA, they also had a big hand in creating an entirely new musical genre: punk rock.

To have a hand in. Tomar parte en, intervenir en

The song influenced some of the big names in 70’s punk rock, a movement spearheaded by artists such as Patti Smith, The Ramones and The Sex Pistols.

To spearhead. encabezar

Check out the song’s melody. Can you imagine anything simpler? It was played on what was first thought to be a Farfisa organ. Italian-made Farfisas became popular in the mid-60s among American rock and rollers because they were cheap and easy to lug from gig to gig. Several years later, Rudy confirmed that it wasn’t a Farfisa at all, but rather a Vox organ.

To lug (= carry) cargar, llevar
Gig (slang). Actuación, concierto

The lyrics tell the classic story of heartbreak, humiliation and then…revenge! Variations of the story were told over and over in punk songs of the 1970’s:

Too many teardrops for one heart to be cryin'.
Too many teardrops for one heart to carry on.
You're way on top now,
Since you left me.
You're always laughin',
Way down at me.
But watch out now.
I'm gonna get there.
We'll be together.
For just a little while.
And then I'm gonna put you,
Way down here.
And you'll start cryin',
Ninety-six tears.
Cry, cry, cry.

Published by: Drew Crosby