Johnny Rodriguez, the first major Mexican American country star, who sang in both English and Spanish and wrote 1970s hits including “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico” — about a forlorn hitchhiker trying to get over a breakup — died May 9 in San Antonio.

Johnny Rodriguez passed away on Friday, leaving Texans mourning the popular Hispanic American artist who topped the country hits in the 1970s and 80s. Rodriguez grew up in Sabinal, Texas, and died Friday in San Antonio from health complications,