Description

They began playing traditional Mexican music in their native East L.A. in the mid-'70s, but Los Lobos were galvanized by the California punk movement. By the early '80s they were a rock band to be reckoned with, purveying a highly charged brand of roots-rock distinctively colored by conjunto and Latin shadings. Their '90s work with producer Mitchell Froom found them heading into new worlds of textural sonic exploration.

Biography

Los Lobos are the undisputed leaders of the Tex-Mex brand of rock 'n' roll, which is Latin-based Chicano music built around accordion and guitar. They were formed in 1973 in Los Angeles by Cesar Rosas (b. 26 September 1954; vocals, guitar, mandolin), David Hidalgo (b. 6 October 1954; vocals, guitar, accordion), Luis (Louie) Pérez (b. 29 January 1953; drums, guitar, quinto), and Conrad Lozano (b. 21 March 1951; vocals, bass, guitarron). Their mixture of Clifton Chenier zydeco and Richie Valens rock was a totally refreshing new sound. Their debut album came in 1978 with the self-financed Just Another Band From East LA, and although not a hit it was a critical success. The line-up was bolstered in 1983 by multi-instrumentalist Steve Berlin (b. 14 September 1955). The reviewers welcomed the following year's How Will The Wolf Survive?, with open arms, but still it only made moderate sales. The superb title track vocal has an uncanny resemblance to Steve Winwood, although it was not representative of the style of the whole album.
Los Lobos continued to receive excellent reviews of their stage act, but it was not until 1987 that they found commercial success. Following their major contribution to the film soundtrack La Bamba the title single was released. It became an international number 1 and the first song in Spanish to top the pop charts. La Pistola Y El Corazón was a deliberate attempt to go back to their roots following their recent overwhelming profile. Kiko in 1992 was an excellent record, moving Los Lobos back to a varied rock approach with delightful hints of Cajun, straight rock and even soul music. The adventurous Colossal Head featured ex-Attractions drummer Pete Thomas.
During the late 90s, Hidalgo and Perez recorded with their sideline project, the Latin Playboys, while Rosas worked with the all-star Tex-Mex outfit Los Super Seven and released his solo debut, Soul Disguise. The main group re-formed for their Hollywood Records debut, This Time, but the relative commercial failure of the album precipitated their departure from the label. They teamed up with noted rock producer John Leckie for 2002's Good Morning Aztlán and brought in a raft of guest artists on the follow-up The Ride.
DISCOGRAPHY: Del Este De Los Angeles aka Just Another Band From East LA (New Vista 1978)***, And A Time To Dance (Slash 1983)***, How Will The Wolf Survive? (Slash 1984)****, By The Light Of The Moon (Slash 1987)****, La Pistola Y El Corazón (Slash 1988)***, The Neighborhood (Slash 1990)****, Kiko (Slash 1992)****, with Lalo Guerrero Papa's Dream (Warners 1995)***, Colossal Head (Warners 1996)***, This Time (Hollywood 1999)***, Good Morning Aztlán (Mammoth 2002)****, The Ride (Hollywood 2004)***.
COMPILATIONS: various artists Si Se Puede! (Pan American 1976)***, Just Another Band From East L.A: A Collection (Slash/Warners 1993)****, El Cancionero Mas Y Mas: La Historia De La Banda Del Este De Los Angeles 4-CD box set (Rhino/WEA 2000)****.

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