Trini Lopez

by Bill Dahl
Trini Lopez recorded a series of upbeat tunes for Reprise during the mid-60s, including a smash rendering of the folk standard If I Had a Hammer in 1963. The Dallas native cut some Ritchie Valens-influenced rockers for the King label prior to his discovery by producer Don Costa. Lopezs hits capture the excitement of his live performances, and his driving renditions of Kansas City (1963), Lemon Tree (1965), and Im Comin Home, Cindy (1966) were substantial sellers. Reportedly one of Dean Martins favorite performers, Lopez hosted his own network TV variety program and co-starred as one of The Dirty Dozen in the popular 1967 movie.