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Alejandro Escovedo is an artist of influence

By GINA VIVINETTO
Published May 11, 2005

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Alejandro Escovedo's headlining gig at Tropical Heatwave on Saturday marks more than a happy return for the acclaimed roots rocker to the annual Ybor music bonanza.

It also marks his triumphant return to health.

Less than a year ago, Escovedo, 53, a pioneer of cowpunk, was unsure if he would ever perform on stage again. After a Phoenix performance in 2003, Escovedo collapsed and was hospitalized with complications from hepatitis C. Returning home to Canyon Lake, Texas, his condition worsened.

With no health insurance and mounting medical bills, Escovedo's future looked grim. Word spread throughout the music community, where Escovedo's peers, who respect and adore him, quickly held a series of benefit concerts to raise money for expenses.

That was followed by Por Vida: A Tribute to the Songs Of Alejandro Escovedo, recorded by some of the most critically acclaimed artists with a twang, including Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Calexico, Cowboy Junkies and Charlie Musselwhite. The album also includes members of the Mekons, Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group), Ian Hunter, John Cale and Escovedo's brother Pete Escovedo (percussionist for Santana) as well as his niece, percussionist Sheila E. The alt-country band Son Volt reunited to be a part of the tribute.

"That was amazing," Escovedo says by telephone from Austin, Texas. "All the support everyone gave me was so healing in itself."

A practicing Buddhist, Escovedo says once he stopped the Western approach to dealing with hepatitis C, ceasing his interferon treatments, he felt better. Now, he focuses on holistic and Tibetan healing practices including massage therapy, acupuncture and meditation.

"A lot of it for me, is mantras," says Escovedo. He also watches his diet, eliminating greasy and spicy foods and lessening his red meat intake. "I also have not drank (alcohol) in two years."

After stopping the medicine, Escovedo says he felt better, strong enough to try music again after not touching a guitar for a year.

"It was very hard," he admits. "I got very, very rusty. It was embarrassing." After playing several shows in Texas last fall, Escovedo booked gigs in Chicago, where he performed with his former True Believers bandmate, Jon Dee Graham.

Next, Escovedo booked Heatwave, a festival he enjoyed playing in 2000. Though it was months away, he knew he would want to be a part of the annual event, hosted by community radio 88.5 WMNF-FM.

Fast facts * He formed the 1970s San Franciso-based punk band the Nuns. Later he played in the alt-country band Rank & File and the early 1980s Austin rock legends True Believers. * The Nuns were the opening act for the Sex Pistols at what turned out to be the Pistols' last gig at Winterland Ballroom in 1978. * Escovedo has seven children. They range in age from 21/2 to two grown adults. * Escovedo's niece is percussionist Sheila E., who is the daughter of his brother Pete Escovedo, a noted jazz percussionist who plays for Santana. * His cousin is El Vez, the kitschy Latin Elvis impersonator. * Escovedo's band frequently covers I Wanna Be Your Dog by Iggy and the Stooges.

"I had such a good time last time," Escovedo says. "I just have a really great rapport with everyone at WMNF."

So much so, Escovedo says, the only person he granted an interview to while he was convalescing was with WMNF on-air personality Flee, host of Sonic Detour, which made his many Tampa Bay area fans happy.

One fan -- or alleged fan -- who troubles Escovedo is President George W. Bush. Recently, a news item listing the songs on the President's iPod included a ditty by Escovedo. Although the two are both from the Lone Star state, the musician refuses to believe it. "I don't think he's really a fan of mine," Escovedo says. "Someone in his PR made that up.

Is he a fan of the president's?

"No, I'm not." Escovedo says. "And he would never be on my iPod."

-- Gina Vivinetto gina@tampabay.com

[Last modified May 11, 2005, 17:08:45]

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