Another Way

John Abell was forced to sing by the threat of bears. A later tenor—Garcia—was persuaded by something even more effective: heckling.

During one of Mexico’s periodic revolutions, Garcia was touring the country and decided to reach the coast at Vera Cruz and escape to calmer places. On the road he was attacked by freebooters and stripped of everything—baggage, money, even his wardrobe.

Searching the loot, the bandits found a thick pile of sheet music and realized their captive was a singer. They demanded a song. Garcia politely declined. The demand returned—louder, with threats. Knowing refusal meant death, he finally agreed.

They gave him an elevated ‘stage’ and gathered around like a very free audience—each man holding what you might call a complimentary ticket. But Garcia’s nerves betrayed him: his first attempt was a fiasco, and the rough crowd hissed.

The insult did what the threats couldn’t. Garcia snapped into form and sang with the power and beauty that made him famous. The bandits, delighted, returned his money and clothes and escorted him onward to prevent any repeat performance.