The music world is feeling the sting of loss. Manuel “Manolo” Morales, a founding member of the legendary group Los Rieleros del Norte, passed away on August 25 at the age of 72. His death has saddened countless fans who loved his music.
Manolo was born in Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, Mexico. However, he found his true calling and spent most of his life in Pecos, Texas. This town became his artistic home. His obituary, published by Pecos Funeral Home, confirms his burial took place there. The exact cause of his passing has not been publicly shared.
Life in Pecos was hardworking. Manolo spent time working on the railroads, which would later inspire his band’s name. He also worked in seismic surveying for a company called GSI. Yet, through it all, music remained his biggest passion. His early performances at a local spot called The Green Lantern set the stage for the amazing career that followed.
The Railroader’s Journey: A Legend Takes Shape
Manolo Morales’s story is deeply tied to the tracks of the train. While working as a railroad laborer in Pecos, Texas, his love for music grew. He would sing along the railway lines, and this experience sparked a powerful idea. In 1979, he helped create Los Rieleros del Norte, a band that would forever change regional Mexican music. The name “Los Rieleros” (The Railroaders) was a clear nod to his life on the rails. He joined forces with talented musicians like Manuel Luján and the brothers Manuel, Trinidad, and José Ángel Saucedo. Together, they forged a unique sound that connected with Mexican migrants in the United States and listeners back home. Manolo guided Los Rieleros del Norte for 46 years. He later also started another group called El Primo Manolo y Sus Rieleros, continuing his musical legacy.
The Pecos community came together to give their heartfelt goodbyes to Manolo. A wake was held on August 27 at Pecos Funeral Home, where a rosary prayer was also recited. The very next day, a funeral mass took place at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church. After the service, he was laid to rest at Mount Evergreen Cemetery.
Manolo leaves behind a loving family. His children include Benjamin Montano, along with his wife Lorina Barragán; Corina Olivas and her husband Fabián Olivas; Georgina Morales; Manuel Morales III; Luis Medina; Yael Morales; and Yahir Morales. He is also survived by his siblings Jesús M. Morales, Norma Estrello, and Riquilda Sánchez. Twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren will miss him greatly. Manolo now rests with his parents, Manuel Morales and Antonia Delgado García, as well as his sisters Genoveva, Brujida, Gloria, and Isabel. His life story beautifully combined two worlds: born in Chihuahua, Mexico, but building his lasting impact in Texas. His community will remember him as a musician, a father, and a cultural leader.
This August has been a truly difficult month for the entertainment world. We’ve seen several sad goodbyes to notable figures. Actor Juan Carlos Ramírez, famous for his role in ‘Rosario Tijeras,’ passed away earlier this month. Singer Ernesto Barajas, the voice of Enigma Norteño, was tragically killed. On August 21, rocker Xava Drago, vocalist for the band Coda, also left us. That same day, Mexican singer Nayeli González, known as ‘La Reina de la Cumbia,’ passed on. Manolo Morales’s death adds another name to this somber list of losses.