Trini Lopez, the pop singer and guitarist who also appeared in Robert Aldrich’s “The Dirty Dozen,” died Tuesday of complications from COVID-19.
Palm Springs Life magazine first reported his death; he was a long time inhabitant of the desert enclave. Filmmakers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes had recently completed a documentary about his life, which was featured in the magazine.
Born Trinidad Lopez III in Dallas, Texas, his parents were both from Mexico. Lopez began playing in bands at 15 and in 1958 his band signed the Big Beats with Columbia Records after recording with Buddy Holly producer Norman Petty. Lopez went solo shortly afterwards and signed with King Records, for whom he released a series of unsuccessful singles before leaving the label in 1962. He soon scored a stay with the PJs at Los Angeles nightclub, where Frank Sinatra watched his show and signed to his Reprise Records in 1963.
That year, his debut album, “Trini Lopez at PJ’s,” included a cover of “If I Had a Hammer”, which was a worldwide smash, and topped the charts in multiple countries and reached number one. 3 in the US. Another live album followed, along with more hits in the coming years, including “Lemon Tree”, “I’m Comin ‘Home, Cindy,” “Sally Was a Good Old Girl,” “Michael,” “Gonna Get Along Without Ya ‘Now “and” The Bramble Bush. “
He died in the 1967 World War II fictional film ‘The Dirty Dozen’ alongside stars such as Charles Bronson, Ernest Borgnine, John Cassavetes, Lee Marvin, Donald Sutherland and Telly Savalas, but was more recognizable than many of them. then his successful musical career. Lopez also appeared on television in ‘Adam-12’ and ‘The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries.’ During its peak of popularity in the mid-1960s, he designed two guitars for the company Gibson Guitar, which are collectors’ items.
While playing his successes and acting roles off the map after the 1960s, he continued to release albums and perform regularly – particularly in Las Vegas and his adopted home in Palm Springs. He was awarded a star on Palm Springs ‘Walk of Stars in 1993 and on Las Vegas’ Walk of Stars in 2008.
Survivor information was not immediately available.
