Joe "Jama" Perales
Age 74 passed away on January 14, 2024, surrounded by his family. He is preceded in death by his parents Joe Perales and Lucy Rodriguez. Joe is survived by his wife Lilly of 26 years, sister Sandra Shaffer (Dan) and children, Joe Perales (Carisa) Sal Perales (Liz) Celeste Gonzalez (Paul), Albert Gonzalez (Monica) and Karly Gonzalez.Grandchildren: Joah, Ezrah, Oriana, Axel, Lizzy, Ayden, Marisol, Rose and Ares. Joe Perales' earliest musical introduction began in his Southside neighborhood at a Black Church Assembly near his home back then, with no air-conditioning, the windows of the church assembly were wide open and you could hear the sounds from the church members. He used to go to the church and sit outside where he could hear the choir and church members praise the Lord with their church melodies. Joe would carefully listen to the sounds and he would try to emulate and project them himself. That was the beginning of Joe's lengthy musical career. As Joe grew up and he began to join and form bands, he first started playing the guitar but quickly changed over to playing bass guitar and vocals. Joe also had a passion and ability to write many of the songs for the bands he performed with. Joe had an exceptional voice range and had the ability to sing very low or high pitches. Joe Jama Perales could simply project. His style was his and his alone. People admired his voice and style. Joe Jama Perales could sing many genres. He did Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Chicano, Tejano, Funk, Rock, Do-Wop and Jazz. Joe has been given credit for his early Mexican musical culture roots, his ability to connect them with the early Rhythm and Blues from the San Antonio Eastside and to fuse it with the early beginnings of the Brown Soul and the Westside Sound of San Antonio. Joe did it all. Joe started playing with The Radiants in 1962. He also performed with many others, including some of the local bands he played with:Those being, Revells, Eptones, Casino Royale, Stone Deaf Village, Royal Jesters, Mother Truck, Joe Jama Y La Fuerza, Sneak Preview, Thumper, 100 Proof, San Quilmas and the list goes on. Joe Jama Perales has left us, but surely for a brief time. His music, his style, his presence will live on. A legacy and passion for music will be his blessings for all that admired and loved Joe Jama Perales.