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Posted June 17, 2017

By Lou Hoffman's wife, Marcia

Hi All,
Just wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful event you put together at the Veteran's Memorial for Lou. He was in the midst of writing personal thank you notes to everyone when he began having great pain walking. You who were there may remember he was using a cane which he had just started doing the day before.
After visits to the E.R., x-rays, MRI's etc., it was determined that he had a fracture of the sacrum located at the bottom of the tailbone.
He is now at Montebello in the Rehab Unit at 10500 Academy N.E., Room 610 after stops at Rust Medical Center and Anna Kaseman Hospital. We don't know how long he'll be there, but hopefully with physical therapy, he can recover.
He has his call phone with him (250-4044)and know he would appreciate good thoughts and visits from his friends from Valley.
Thank you all again for one of the most memorable and appreciated honors of his life.
Marcia, Leslie, and Natalie Hoffman

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Posted May 29, 2017

Submitted by Leslie Fluke

Herman Martinez Sr, another Class of 64 Viking Alumni has passed away.


Herman Martinez Sr., a lifelong resident of Albuquerque, NM went home to be with the Lord and to receive his rewards on May 25th, 2017.

He was born on January 24th, 1945. Herman Martinez Sr. played an instrumental role in New Mexico Music, he began his music career at the age of 6 playing the trumpet. Mr. Martinez also formed Alta Vista Records (1967) and Chelly Publishing, he recorded various artists with 23 Gold Records, and 4 Grammy's. In 2016 he was also inducted into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife Catherine Martinez; son Herman Martinez Jr. and Sonia; daughters Michelle and husband John E. Rael, Lizzie and husband Lorenzo Gallegos III; grandchildren Felicia and Nichole Martinez, Gabriel and Priscilla Rael, Amanda, Lorenzo IV, Melody and Tiffany Gallegos; and six great grandchildren.

A Service will be held on June 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Sagebrush Church 6440 Coors Blvd, Albuquerque, NM, reception to follow at the Moose Lodge 2121 Edith Blvd. NE.

Herman will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

From Cristy Records:
New Mexico has lost another great artist. Cristy Records sends our sincere condolences to the Martinez family. Herman Martinez Sr. played an instrumental role in New Mexico music! Herman Martinez Sr. began his music career at age 6 playing the trumpet with his uncle, Benny Martinez and the Benny Martinez Orchestra. He was also part of the first Mariachi’s in NM, Mariachi Del Norte. Martinez performed at the World’s Fair in Seattle in 1962. Martinez formed Alta Vista Records and has recorded artists with 23 Gold Records, 4 Grammy’s and several other well-known artists like the Blue Ventures, Purple Haze, Jackie, Ortega, Little Joe, Johnny Hernandez, Ramon and Lydia, Nick and Jamie (Herrera), Juan Salamon and many more. Martinez has performed for President Kennedy as well as recorded with Boston Philharmonic. The New Mexico Music Hall of Fame is grateful to of honored a great man into the Hall of Fame November 2016. Herman, may you rest in peace, vaya con Dios....