By Ty Gavin
TacoLand, San Antonio's landmark on the San Antonio River. Parallel to CBGB's, RAUL's, The RAT, The Masque, etc. was launched into history last night with the murder of RAM, owner of the nationally known club. This is a devastating loss to San Antonio on many levels, culture, music and art. It was a living work of art, culture and San Antonio music history.
Taco Land was a "must play" stop on countless numbers of tour schedules for hundreds of bands. People knew they were touching history and wanted bragging rights of saying, "I played at TacoLand", "....and my sticker's on the wall".
Ram wasn't the "president" or "mayor" of TacoLand, he was "THE MAN" of
TacoLand and there was no a no bullshit policy that he controlled and
enforced efortlessly. He ruled over the chaos without disturbing it.
It was a unique underground community that covered the full spectrum of humanity, everyone, from the homeless to the millionaires, criminals to cops, musicians, music lovers, artists, freaks, outcasts, innocents, guilty, handicapped, brilliant, stupid, beautiful, all colors and races and ages.
He took care of the people in many personal ways. If you really needed a beer he'd give you a can of Lone
Star, if you needed your ass kicked he wouldn't hesitate to give you that too. He gave so many bands a chance to perform sometimes when no one else would.
He was cut from the same cloth as Roy, Joseph and Bobby, real life. I think Ram never took a day for granted and lived life like there might not be a tomorrow. He is history. Ram will be a lasting history, he will be sung about, stories will be told and handed down about this true folk hero legend and
hero and leader.
He will be remembered and the San Antonio River will be flooded with tears tonight.
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
It won't be 'til the sun goes down
And the spotlight there waits for you
What do we do now in the city of sound
Now that we must face the truth
When the sun goes down,
when the sun goes down...
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Friday, June 24, 2005
First Report 2
Taco Land Shooting Leaves Owner Dead, 2 Others Injured
POSTED: 7:54 am CDT June 24, 2005
UPDATED: 8:00 am CDT June 24, 2005
SAN ANTONIO -- The owner of Taco Land, a San Antonio bar, was killed and two other people were critically injured in a shooting early Friday morning at the bar.
Ramiro Ayala, 72, identified as the bar’s owner, died at Brooke Army Medical Center.
A 40-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man also suffered gunshot wounds. They were both listed in critical condition Friday morning at University Hospital.
The shooting happened about 1:30 a.m. at Taco Land, in the 100 block of West Grayson.
San Antonio Police Department Sgt. Matthew Podwika said that police believe the shooting occurred after two men tried to rob the bar.
“From what I understand, they were already in the bar and they walked up to the counter. At that point, they possibly tried to rob it. We don't know exactly what was said between the owner and the suspects,” Podwika said.
Podwika said the two men fled the scene, possibly driving a silver Cadillac.
Copyright 2005 by KSAT.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Sue me.
POSTED: 7:54 am CDT June 24, 2005
UPDATED: 8:00 am CDT June 24, 2005
SAN ANTONIO -- The owner of Taco Land, a San Antonio bar, was killed and two other people were critically injured in a shooting early Friday morning at the bar.
Ramiro Ayala, 72, identified as the bar’s owner, died at Brooke Army Medical Center.
A 40-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man also suffered gunshot wounds. They were both listed in critical condition Friday morning at University Hospital.
The shooting happened about 1:30 a.m. at Taco Land, in the 100 block of West Grayson.
San Antonio Police Department Sgt. Matthew Podwika said that police believe the shooting occurred after two men tried to rob the bar.
“From what I understand, they were already in the bar and they walked up to the counter. At that point, they possibly tried to rob it. We don't know exactly what was said between the owner and the suspects,” Podwika said.
Podwika said the two men fled the scene, possibly driving a silver Cadillac.
Copyright 2005 by KSAT.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Sue me.
First Reports 1
woai.com
Overnight Shootings; Taco Land Owner Murdered in Robbery
Police officers trying to break up a fight end up caught in the
middle of a shooting on the west side. Only minutes later near
downtown, three people are shot outside a popular cantina. One of
them later died.
On West Grayson, three people were gunned down by robbers at Taco
Land. Authorities tell News 4 one of those victims is the owner of
the business, Ramiro Ayala. He died a few hours later.
Police say two men started arguing with Ayala just after 1 a.m.
Witnesses say one of those men pulled a gun, and shot Ayala and three
other who were there.
Police are now searching for the two suspects in that shooting. They
took off with some cash. No word right now on the conditions of the
other two victims.
Overnight Shootings; Taco Land Owner Murdered in Robbery
Police officers trying to break up a fight end up caught in the
middle of a shooting on the west side. Only minutes later near
downtown, three people are shot outside a popular cantina. One of
them later died.
On West Grayson, three people were gunned down by robbers at Taco
Land. Authorities tell News 4 one of those victims is the owner of
the business, Ramiro Ayala. He died a few hours later.
Police say two men started arguing with Ayala just after 1 a.m.
Witnesses say one of those men pulled a gun, and shot Ayala and three
other who were there.
Police are now searching for the two suspects in that shooting. They
took off with some cash. No word right now on the conditions of the
other two victims.
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Ram , originally uploaded by H. Michael karshis . We miss you already! Thanks to the kids at Grackle Monday for the photo. Kaw Kaw
