Interviewer: Natalie Garza

Project: University Of Houston

At the age of eight, Ricky Diaz learned from his musician father how to play the piano. He recalls practicing twice a day and performing live with a fifteen-piece band by the age of ten in Piedras Negras, Mexico. In 1950 Ricky moved to the United States and soon found a job touring with Tejano musician Beto Villa and was briefly in the US Army band after being drafted during the Korean War. Upon returning to Houston, Ricky found work with Sheffield’s Orchestra, the Houston Club, and Roberto Compean. In 1963 after marrying Belen, Ricky formed his own band. In the latter part of the interview, Belen Diaz discusses her work with the Latin American Student Organization, LASO, at UH Downtown. Belen helped her son, Armando, plan a formal, large-scale fundraiser and scholarship program that resulted in the first Red Rose Ball. Belen, LASO, and the Mexican community raised $20,000 in their first year, and since then have raised up to $500,000. Ricky and Belen were honored at the 25th Red Rose Ball and since then the scholarship has been opened to all students.