Lifestyle
A Look Back at the Texas Tornados and Their Hit “(Hey Baby) Que Paso”
The ’80s were the calm before the storm.
Quick as a whip, the Texas Tornados blew into the ’90s country music era and swept up a loyal following.
You know them still for their hit, “(Hey Baby) Que Paso” released in 1990.
They mixed country and Mexican music to form the music flavor of “Tex-Mex.” The Tornados became so popular they even played at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration.
The group formed after Doug Sahm returned to Texas ready to put together a Tex-Mex supergroup. Falling in line were Augie Meyers, Freddy Fender, and Flaco Jimenez. They called San Antonio home.
At shows, Sahm apparently would introduce the hit “(Hey Baby) Que Paso” as San Antonio’s national anthem.
For years, Texans have sung the song’s ever-so-catchy lyrics:
Hey, baby, que paso?
Thought I was your only vato
Hey, baby, que paso?
Please don’t leave me de ese modo
Come on, baby, turn around
Let me see your pretty blue eyes
Don’t you know that I love you
Please don’t leave me de ese modo
Here are the Tornados performing their Tex-Mex classic in 1992 at Texas’ oldest dance hall, Gruene Hall. If you’re at home, pull aside the chairs and tables, grab a partner (“Hey baby” will do) and press up on the volume key.
