LA BAMBA: WORLDWIDE SUCCESS IN 1945

The son La bamba in 2019 is heard at fandangos or gatherings of jaraneros in the Veracruz Sotavento, in other parts of Mexico, and around the world; it is heard on a majority of son jarocho records and it refers to sones jarochos in generic terms. It is also heard as a song in the doorways of Veracruz, in ballet folklorico presentations, in the restaurants of Boca del Rio, and sung by diverse types and contexts of son jarocho groups. The dividing line between La bamba as a song and as a son is slim. This article reflects on the processes that led to La bamba becoming known beyond the Veracruz and the Mexican frontiers, as for example being featured in an article on La Bamba in Life Magazine in 1945.