Robert Alan Lopez, known as El Vez, was born in 1960 in Chula Vista, California. He is an American singer-songwriter and musician who blends classic rock music with his Latin-American heritage. At age 16, Lopez formed the Main Street Brats with Javier Escovedo, playing their first show at a quinceañera in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. After changing their name to The Zeros and adding a drummer and a bassist, the band became regulars on the L.A. punk scene, performing with bands like the Germs and Devo. Their singles "Don't Push Me Around" (1977) and "Wild Weekend" (1978) were released on Bomp! Records. In the late 1980s, Lopez began developing his El Vez persona after performing at an Elvis Presley tribute event, releasing his first EP, The Mexican Elvis, in 1991. He followed this with Fun in Español, Graciasland, and Merry MeX-mas, all in 1994.
