In this fascinating interview Mr. Fouce gives a real insiders look at the Spanish language music business in Los Angeles, going back to the 1930’s, He talks about bringing entertainers to his theaters, and especially about Lydia Mendoza and her family.

Frank Louis Fouce and his father Franck Fouce were an impresarios of Spanish-language entertainment in Los Angeles starting in the 1930’s. They owned or produced shows at the Mason Opera House, California, Liberty, Mayan, Roosevelt and Million Dollar Theaters and produced shows by such entertainers as Lydia Mendoza, Dolores del Rio, Lupita Tovar, Maria Felix, Agustin Lara, Miguel Aceves Mejia, Maria Victoria, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Jose Feliciano, Juan Gabriel, Vicente Fernandez, Los Polivoces, Celia Cruz, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Estrellas de Mexico de Lupita Morales and Mariachi Las Coronelas de Carlota Noriega.

Frank L. Fouce later went on to be a co-founder of the TV network Univision.

This interview was conducted by Chris Strachwitz while doing research for the book Lydia Mendoza – A Family Autobiography, compiled and introduced by Chris Strachwitz and James Nicolopulos (Arte Público Press, University of Houston)