One of the pioneers of traditional Mexican music, La Reina del Bolero (Queen of the Bolero), as Chelo Silva was known, reigned over the Tejano music scene with her romantic ballads and passionate performances. Silva, the oldest of seven children, was born Consuelo Silva on August 25, 1922, in Brownsville, Texas. She began singing as a teenager at school and in her church. Her talent was evident early on. By her late teens, Silva was singing regularly with a local group, the Tito Crixell Orchestra.