Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Raul Garcia, better known as Johnny Chingas came to the United States when he was a child and began playing music in junior high school. He played a variety of instruments, including saxophone, piano, bass and vibraphone. After graduation from Glendale's Hoover High School in 1956, Garcia formed Rudy Garcia & the Imperials, which recorded many Latin and rock 'n' roll singles on Garcia's own label, Katinga Records. Later, Garcia renamed his label Billionaire Records and wrote and produced his own material.