Ralph Hauser III, 41; Promoter of Latin Music

Ralph Hauser III, who went from parking cars at local Mexican shows to becoming one of the most powerful concert promoters in the U.S. Latin market, has died. He was 41.

The Montebello-born businessman and father of six died Friday in Whittier of a heart attack while playing racquetball, according to former promoter Bobby Dee, who once helped promote events sponsored by Hauser’s Pico Rivera-based company. But Brian Moran, a Hauser spokesman, declined to confirm the cause of death and said the family was not granting interviews.

The news of Hauser’s death shocked the Latino entertainment community in Southern California. He was remembered Tuesday by friends and associates as a smart and respected businessman who built a multimillion-dollar empire by becoming the exclusive U.S. representative for some of the biggest names in Latin American show business, including Vicente Fernandez, Joan Sebastian and Juan Gabriel.

Hauser is credited with helping to elevate the profile of Mexican music in the U.S. by bringing Mexican shows to mainstream venues, such as the Universal Amphitheatre and Madison Square Garden in New York. His shows featured such top stars as Mexican crooner Luis Miguel and Spanish diva Rocio Durcal, recalled Emily Simonitsch, senior vice president of House of Blues Concerts, who teamed up with Hauser in 1989 to present Latin acts at the amphitheater in Universal City.

“He was very dedicated to Latin talent,” Simonitsch said Tuesday.

The success of Hauser’s shows, more than 100 per year, also elevated his stature as he made the transition from humble country-style rodeo/concerts at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena to international shows with high-powered international partners. Last year, Hauser and his associates placed No. 8 among the top 50 concert promoters ranked by Pollstar, the trade journal, based on worldwide ticket sales of more than 1.1 million.

Hauser started working for his father’s company, which promoted Mexican shows at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena. In 1985, at age 23, he started Hauser Entertainment, with offices at the Pico Rivera venue now legendary for its Mexican shows.

Hauser fell in love in the parking lot there after spotting his future wife, Delia, carrying a Mexican flag as she rode by on a horse. Hauser settled his family in nearby Whittier to stay close to his roots.

Hauser was known for winning and keeping the loyalty of his major acts. However, a high-profile rift surfaced last year with a suit filed in Los Angeles by long-time client Gabriel, who accused Hauser of fraud. The conflict turned into a clash of titans when another Mexican client, the equally popular mariachi singer Fernandez, came openly and forcefully to Hauser’s defense.

The allegations “did nothing to tarnish anything about him as a person or a business professional,” Simonitsch said of Hauser, who had countersued.

Hauser’s demise leaves the resolution of the dispute -- and the future of the company -- in doubt. Moran had no comment about who would run the business.

Two years ago, Hauser joined forces with CIE, Latin America’s leading live entertainment company, which bought a 51% stake in a new firm named Hauser-CIE Entertainment.

Dee, the ex-promoter, said: “Everybody wanted his formula for success.”

Hauser said he was in it for the music. “Not an hour goes by in Los Angeles that one of my artists isn’t on the radio,” he told The Times in 2000. “That’s all I care about.”

A public memorial is being planned, Moran said.