Longtime DJ Steve Crosno dies at 66
Zoomer Roberts
the most famous on-air personality that this region ever had, died Saturday.
He was 66.
"This city has lost a part of its identity," said George Reynosa, owner of
All That Music record store.
For the past couple of years, Crosno had been ill and he had recently been
diagnosed with cancer. Throughout July he spent several days in a hospital
in Las Cruces before going home last week. He died at his home in Las
Cruces.
Crosno, who began working in radio at age 16, is credited with breaking
color barriers in El Paso radio. He was among the first to help local bands
make recordings and get airtime.
His TV show, the "The Crosno Hop," aired in the '60s, '70s and '80s and was
attended mostly by Hispanics. His radio show, "Cruising with Crosno," will
be forever linked with lowriders, white T-shirts and Sunday afternoon
cookouts.
"The common person is who Steve catered to with his Crosno thing," Reynosa
said of the nasal twang and 5-inch sideburns that made Crosno unique. "He
was truly a celebrity, but he didn't carry himself that way."
In past interviews, Crosno said he was just playing what people requested.
From these requests evolved Crosno's distinct radio format; locally referred
to as the "El Paso Sound " it's known nationally as Chicano Soul.
Crosno mixed Spanish songs, such as "Cariño Nuevo" by Sunny and Sunliners,
with English songs, such as "Smile Now, Cry Later." In between he played
nonstop, silly skits in which others made fun of him. It is this format,
with some modifications, that Mike Guerrero emulates with his Sunday
afternoon show, "The Fox Jukebox."
"A lot of my listeners love El Paso-style oldies and that's what he brought
to the airwaves," Guerrero, 37, said. "He was an inspiration to a lot of
people, and he had a lot of fans."
Linda Falen, Crosno's sister, said her brother had a love for the people of
this region that was unmatched. "Especially the youth -- he tried to help
them," she said. "And then there was the music -- he loved the music of El
Paso because it is unlike anywhere else."
Funeral arrangements are pending, and family and friends are working to set
up a fund to pay for the services. He is survived by his sisters, Linda
Crosno Falen and Susan Wayland.
Ed Starkey
TGH ---- where he was visiting a friend from the radio
station giving support to encourage him through rehab. I
bumped into him like so many band members at events & bene
fits, always moving, always in motion. I know we are at an
age when we lose our brethren at an ever increasing rate.
But this one hurts. an era has truly ended. thanks steve &
god bless you
> Fromthese requests evolved Crosno's distinct radio
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Zoomer Roberts
Surf Beats. I don't remember who all was in the group, but we had four
guitars plugged into one Sears amp. We all wore collarless surfer shirts and
white Levis, and played "Thunder Reef." I saw Steve many years later,
setting up for a live remote at Sunrise Center, and related my story, and he
was genuinely glad to reminisce about those days.
My all-time favorite gag from his radio show: "All the plumbers listen to
Crosno -- 'cause Steve is such a drip!"
We were lucky to have had him. ¡Adios!
Ray
Earl Hayden
his product. On the Crosno Hop-he would eat or drink anything with Pepsi.
Milk & Pepsi, cereal & Pepsi-the challenge was also out there-bring it on-it
would go great with Pepsi!!!
I always wanted to go to the "Hop."
Christine Waller Hayden
Diane Lybbert
I seem to remember a phrase often-used - 'chicken fat and booze'! Wow, he was really THE guy back then, huh?
-Diane (Chrapliwy) Lybbert
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