Al Hurricane Jr. was an American New Mexico music singer, songwriter, and guitarist, born Alberto Nelson Sanchez Jr. on October 30, 1959, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The son and longtime musical protégé of Al Hurricane, the “Godfather of New Mexico Music,” he began performing as a child and made his first public appearance at the Albuquerque Civic Auditorium, singing “Love Potion #9.” After growing up inside the Sánchez family’s recording, touring, and label network, he released his debut album, El Joven, in 1975, led by “El Pintor,” then followed with the self-titled Al Hurricane Jr. in 1976, which included one of his signature songs, “Flor de las Flores.” In 1979, he recorded Cantan Corridos with his father, strengthening his place in a family tradition that mixed Spanish-language ranchera, corrido, country, rock & roll, cumbia, and New Mexico music. He continued with Al, Jr. in 1986, Siguiendo los Pasos de Su Padre in 1995, and ¿Porque? in 2001, while also appearing on family and tribute releases tied to Al Hurricane, Tiny Morrie, Baby Gaby, Lorenzo Antonio, and other New Mexico artists. In 2016, he released Como Pasan los Años, a later-career album that included ranchera, banda, cumbia, religious song, and regional Mexican material. Known as “El Godson” of New Mexico music, Al Hurricane Jr. remained active as a live performer in New Mexico for decades and was still scheduled for public appearances shortly before his death on May 19, 2026, at age 66.
