George Harrison of the Beatles called him the best saxophone player in Mexico. He has the autograph to prove it. It is old and wrinkled, but it is a jewel that shows how talented Beto Valtierra is.

Beto is an extraordinary musician. In 1959, when he was 20 years-old he formed the rock and roll band “The 7 Teens” along with six other friends in Juarez.

All the band members were between 16 and 20 years old. They achieved unprecedented success in Mexico and the U.S. They toured around America and recorded a total of 84 songs, many of them original number one singles. They also starred in several rock and roll movies. Ironically, their best hit was the rock and roll version of the waltz “Recuerdos de Acaparai.”

“We were definitely one of the pioneers of the rock and roll movement in Mexico.” Beto said.

In 1960, the members of The 7 Teens left school and moved from Juarez to Mexico City. The 7 Teens ironically lasted for seven years, and recorded seven albums. More than forty years later, their music is still loved by many.

“People ask me for copies of CD’s of our music because back then we had records. My fans are old now. We don’t look like we used to.” Beto said.

In the 1960’s in the old Las Vegas, The 7 Teens opened several times for Little Richard. “We were not allowed to use his piano, not because he didn’t want us to, but because he would get so crazy when he would perform that he would dance on top of it and leave it out of tune.” Beto said.

Beto went to the Ed Sullivan show in 1963 and that is where he met George Harrison. “He heard some of my music and saw some of my pictures that’s when he gave me the autograph. He genuinely liked my music,” Beto said.

Music runs in Beto’s genes. He started learning music when he was eight years-old and that is when his love for the saxophone began. His father, Cuco Valtierra and his grandfather were also musicians. Now his four sons have followed in his foot steps and also have incredible musical abilities.

Beto drives a van with musical notes on it and always carries dozens of pictures with him; most of them are black and white. Every single picture has a story behind it. He takes a deep breath with some of them because you can tell the nostalgia is too much.

Beto refers to artists by singing a piece of their most famous song and by mimicking playing an instrument.

His musical inspiration came from many artists: Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and The Beatles are the main ones.

“Back in the day, grown ups accused us of corrupting the youth with our rock and roll music. Times were different” He said in between laughs.

Only four of the seven members of The 7 Teens are still alive. One of them plays Jazz at the Yankee’s bar in Avenida Juarez where new generations have become fans of his music.

Beto teaches music at the University of Juarez. He is teaching the president of the University to play saxophone and the rest of his students are already professionals.

He has an orchestra and plays at special events. When famous artists, like Enrique Guzman, come to town they call him up so he plays with them at concerts. He has played with the biggest stars in America, and is friends with many famous people.

Beto goes to sleep at 7 a.m. every day. At night he plays and composes music and visits many bars even though he doesn’t drink. He knows the history of the bars in Juarez like no other. “I like to talk to people and reminisce about the old days.” He said.

And even though Beto has the most precious memorabilia any Beatle’s fan or musician could ever want, he says his dream was always to meet John Lennon.