El Chicano
Encyclopedia
El Chicano is an American
chicano rock
and brown-eyed soul
group from Los Angeles
, California
, whose style incorporates various modern music genres including rock
, funk
, soul
, blues
, jazz
, and salsa
. The group's Latino-centric name refers to United States
citizens of typically Mexican American
descent and their distinctive "Chicano" culture with regards to language, music, dress, lowrider
vehicles, political thought, etc.
consciousness in America. Their initial hit, Viva Tirado, was a jazz
y soul rock rendition of Gerald Wilson's
original song about a bullfighter. The song did very well on Los Angeles radio and remained #1 for thirteen straight weeks. Other notable tracks recorded by El Chicano are the funky Tell Her She's Lovely as well as a cover of Van Morrison's
1967 hit, Brown Eyed Girl
.
Original members of El Chicano included Bobby Espinosa, Freddie Sanchez, Mickey Lespron, Andre Baeza, and John De Luna. During the 1970s, new members Ersi Arvizu, Rudy Regalado
, Max Garduno, Danny Lamonte, Brian Magness, Jerry Salas, Joe Pereria, and Rudy Salas joined the group.
El Chicano grew out of the burgeoning Latino music scene from the streets of East Los Angeles. Originally as “VIP”, founded by Freddie Sanchez, El Chicano is the most successful of the L.A. Latino Rock recording artists. Their 7 album, 5 gold record run for MCA Records (from 1970-1976) included classic albums such as Viva Tirado, Celebration, Revolución, Celebration, El Chicano, Cinco, The Best Of Everything, Pyramids Of Love & Friends and This Is El Chicano is unrivaled by any Latin Rock band to date.
El Chicano was originally driven by the swirling, bluesy shades of Bobby Espinosa’s Hammond B3 organ sound. Espinosa’s distinctive sound was up there with some of the best organists around, and integrated the sounds of Jimmy Smith and other Hammond B3 greats into the Latin Rock pantheon. Add to this the underpinning bass of Freddie Sanchez, with the atmospheric jazz flecked guitar chording and lead lines of Mickey Lespron. Pulling the top line together was the hot rhythm foundation of Andre Baeza on congas, Rudy Regalado on timbales, and John De Luna on drums. The band’s exciting live shows always include hot band originals with their carefully crafted cover versions, which never failed to hit the spot!!
The song Viva Tirado(a tribute to Mexican bullfighter, José Ramon Tirado) was composed by Maestro Gerald Wilson and was their big crossover smash. This initial album and song was significant also for charting in all music chart categories, apart from country and western, and garnered the group their first Gold Record in 1970 as well as being voted by Billboard and Cashbox publications the #1 Jazz group of the year.
The Revolución album featured Ersi Arvizu on the beautiful ballad “Sabor A Mi ”, an Eastside anthem.
The Celebration album featured knockout versions of Cream’s "I Feel Free", Joe Zawinul’s "In A Silent Way", and a superb cover of Van Morrison’s composition "Brown Eyed Girl", highlighting the vocals of Freddie Sanchez with a Latin rock groove - another classic cut. Their recordings showed a versatile and wide ranging adaptation of all that was currently hip and happening in the 70’s USA music scene.
“Tell Her She’s Lovely”, featuring the strong vocals of Jerry Salas, was another Top 40 hit in 1973 on the self-titled LP, El Chicano, that also went Gold for the group.
Featuring "El Cayuco", "Gringo In Mexico", "What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You" Cinco was a great success for the group and also produced "The Latin One" that was included in the soundrack of the movie Donnie Brasco.
"One More Night", "Follow The Apollo", Bringing Me Home, Zaire and the fabulous ballad "Primavera" ere the highlights of this album and showed yet even more the musical diversity of the band.
Theme songs were the basis of this album featuring "Baretta's Theme" arranged and performed by El Chicano for the television show Baretta. Another fabulous theme song from the album is "Michael's Theme" written by Mickey Lespron and a music classic in it's own right.
A really diversified album brought forward some really great songs such as "Ron-Con-Con", "Dancin' Mama", "Para Ti" and the cool and refreshing "Just Crusin". This album was also released in Germany under the Nova label as "Dancing Mama".
Over a 40 plus year span, the Group has garnered 5 Gold records and was voted #1 Jazz group of 1970. El Chicano has recorded ten albums and their songs appear on over 50 compilation albums. Their music have been used on several major movies. The Group also has been recognized several times for their contributions to community and charities that help children and the arts.
El Chicano has performed in different venues, shows, and arenas worldwide with many major artists including The Allman Brothers, Chaka Kahn, Jose Feliciano, The Jacksons, Lou Rawls, Sonny & Cher, Earth Wind & Fire, Santana, Rare Earth, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, Three Dog Night, Rod Stewart, The Guess Who, Electric Light Orchestra, Tower Of Power, Ted Nugent, Average White Band, Kool & The Gang, Marvin Gay, Linda Rondstadt, Olivia Newton John, Rufus, Blue Oyster Cult, Iron Butterfly, Santana, James Brown, The O’Jays, Smokey Robinson, Sly & The Family Stone, The Temptations, Canned Heat, Leo Sayer, The Spinners, Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, Isaac Hayes, Mongo Santamaria, Buddy Rich, Grateful Dead, Michel Bloomfield, Trini Lopez, Gregg Rolie, The Four Tops, Booker T & The MG's, Bloodstone, Jim Croche, Al Wilson, Elton John, Cheech & Chong, Richard Pryor, Paul Rodriguez, Wolfman Jack, Helen Reddy, OJ's, Jerry Butler, War - almost too many to mention, including a long list of Jazz and Latino Artists.
In 2010, two former members of El Chicano passed away: Co-founder and keyboardist Bobby Espinosa, who laid down the Hammond organ
on many of the band's most popular tracks such as Viva Tirado, died on February 27, 2010, and percussionist Rudy Regalado
, who spent twelve years with the band, died on August 4, 2010.
In early 2011, El Chicano teamed up with International Record Producer Gerard (Gerry) Gallagher (aka "G") and are presently in recording sessions in Los Angeles. The new CD (to be released in early 2012) will contain 12 songs and will feature collaborations with some of the biggest names in music industry lending their support to El Chicano and "G" Gallagher.
Viva Tirado Pt.1/Viva Tirado Pt.2 (MCA UK Release) - 1970
Eleanor Rigby/Coming Home Baby (Kapp) - 1970
Cubano Chant/Viva La Raza (Kapp) - 1971
Don’t Put Me Down/Sugar Sugar (Kapp) - 1971
Brown Eyed Girl/Mas Zacate (Kapp) - 1972
Brown eyed Girl/Mas Zacate (MCA Released In France) - 1972
Senor Blues/Satisfy Me Woman (Kapp) - 1972
Tell Her She’s Lovely (MCA) - 1973
Last Tango In Paris/In A Silent Way (MCA) - 1973
Last Tango In Paris/Viva La Raza (Melodi - Released In Turkey) - 1973
Last Tango In Paris/In A Silent Way (MCA - UK Release) - 1973
Theme Du Film - Le Dernier Tango a Paris (MCA) - 1973
(Se Fue Mi) Chachita (MCA) - 1973
Tell Her She’s Lovely (MCA) - 1974
Children/Little Sunflower (MCA) – 1974
Gringo En Mexico/Childen (MCA) - 1974
El Cayuco/Youv’e Been Wrong So Long (MCA) - 1974
Might As Well/Put On A Show (MCA) - 1975
You Can Have The Best Of Everything / Follow The Apollo (MCA) 1975
Viva Tirado/Canteloupe Island (MCA) - 1976
All I Can Remember (MCA) - 1976
Little Brother (Shadybrook) - 1977
Dancin’ Mama (Shadybrook) - 1977
Do You Want Me (Columbia CBS) -1983
Let me Dance With You (Columbia CBS and Streetwave) - 1984
I’m In Love With … (Columbia CBS) - 1984
1970 (KAPP)
1. Cantaloupe Island
2. Quiet Village
3. The Look Of Love
4. Eleanor Rigby
5. Viva Tirado
6. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
7. Hurt So Bad
8. Light My Fire
9. Coming Home Baby
1971 (KAPP)
1. Keep On Moving
2. Cubano Chant
3. Sabor A Mi
4. Make It All Go
5. I’m A Good Woman
6. Viva La Raza
7. Spanish Grease
8. Sugar Sugar
9. Chicano Chant
1972 (KAPP)
1. Viva Tirado Otra Vez
2. Mas Zacarte
3. Brown Eyed Girl
4. El Grito
5. Satisfy Me Woman
6. La Cucuracha
7. Juntos
8. Senor Blues
9. In A Silent Way
10. I Feel Free
1972 (KAPP)
1. Viva Tirado Otra Vez
2. Mas Zacarte
3. Brown Eyed Girl
4. El Grito
5. Satisfy Me Woman
6. La Cucuracha
7. Juntos
8. Senor Blues
9. In A Silent Way
10. I Feel Free
1973 (MCA)
1. Tell her She’s Lovely
2. Cha Chita
3. What’s Going On
4. Together
5. Enchanted Forest
6. Sunday Kind Of Mood
7. Un-Mundo
8. We’ve Only Just Begun
1974 (MCA)
1. El Cayuco
2. Children
3. You’ve Been Worng So Long
4. The Latin One
5. What You Don’t Know Won’t Hurt You
6. Ahora Si
7. Gringo In Mexico
8. Little Sunflower
1975 (MCA)
1. You Can Have The best of Everything
2. One More Night (Audi)
3. Put On A Show
4. I Want You To Know
5. Might As Well
6. Follow The Apollo
7. Bringing Me Home
8. Love the One You’re With
9. Zaire
10. Primavera
1976 (MCA)
1. Baretta’s Theme (Keep Your Eyes on The Sparrow)
2. Michael’s Theme
3. I Love You Anyway
4. A Love Song’s Not A Love Song
5. Lake Aquabi
6. When You Got A Heartache
7. Can’t Get It Out Without You (Babe)
8. Such A Good Life
9. All I Can Remember
10. Pyramid (Of Love And Friends)
1977 (SHADYBROOK)
1. Dancing Mamma
2. Sweet Sensation
3, Que Sera
4. Ron Con-Con
5. Para Ti
6. Just Cruisin
7. Make You All My Own
8. Mello Hi
1977 (NOVA - Germany)
1. Dancing Mamma
2. Sweet Sensation
3, Que Sera
4. Ron Con-Con
5. Para Ti
6. Just Cruisin
7. Make You All My Own
8. Mello Hi
1988 (GEFFEN)
1. Viva Tirado
2. The Latin One
3. Brown Eyed Girl
4. Cantaloupe Island
5. El Cayuco
6. Tell Her She’s Lovely
7. Quiet Village
8. Ahora Si
9. Pyramid (Of Love And Friends)
1997 (MCA)
1. Chicano Chant
2. (Se Fue Mi) Chachita
3. Gringo In Mexico
4. Viva Tirado
5. La Cucaracha
6. Juntos
7. Sabor A Mi
8. Cubano Chant
9. El Grito
10. El Cavuco
11. Viva La Raza
1998 (THUMP)
1. Sketches (Of A Culture Bridge)
2. Para Ti (Tokyo)
3. Costa Mia
4. Desert Waltz
5. Carolina. No
6. Ron-Con-Con II
7. Colores
8. Song Of My Father
9. Inolvidable (Unforgettable)
10. Painting The Moment
11. Jive Samba
2004 (GEFFEN)
1. Viva Tirado
2. Brown-Eyed Girl
3. Il Cayuco
4. Tell Her She’s Lovely
5. The Latin One
6. Sabor A Mi
7. Juntos
8. (Se Fue mi) Cha Chita
9. Cubano Chant
10. Cantaloupe Island
11. Ahora Si
12. Gringo En Mexico
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
chicano rock
Chicano rock
Chicano rock is rock music performed by Mexican American groups or music with themes derived from Chicano culture. Chicano Rock, to a great extent, does not refer to any single style or approach. Some of these groups do not sing in Spanish at all, or use many specifically Latin instruments or sounds...
and brown-eyed soul
Brown-eyed soul
Brown-eyed soul is a subgenre of soul music or rhythm and blues created in the United States mainly by Latino in Southern California during the 1960s, continuing through to the early 1980s. The genre of soul music occasionally draws from Latin, and often contains rock music influences...
group from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, whose style incorporates various modern music genres including rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, and salsa
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
. The group's Latino-centric name refers to United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
citizens of typically Mexican American
Mexican American
Mexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
descent and their distinctive "Chicano" culture with regards to language, music, dress, lowrider
Lowrider
]A lowrider is a style of car originated by Chicano communities that sits lower to the ground than most other cars. Many lowriders have their suspension systems modified so that their ride can change height at the flip of a switch...
vehicles, political thought, etc.
Origins And History Of El Chicano
El Chicano, originally formed under the name VIP, arose during a period of increasing ChicanoChicano
The terms "Chicano" and "Chicana" are used in reference to U.S. citizens of Mexican descent. However, those terms have a wide range of meanings in various parts of the world. The term began to be widely used during the Chicano Movement, mainly among Mexican Americans, especially in the movement's...
consciousness in America. Their initial hit, Viva Tirado, was a jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
y soul rock rendition of Gerald Wilson's
Gerald Wilson
Gerald Stanley Wilson is an American jazz trumpeter, big band bandleader, composer/arranger, 8 time Grammy nominee, and educator. He has been based in Los Angeles since the early 1940s....
original song about a bullfighter. The song did very well on Los Angeles radio and remained #1 for thirteen straight weeks. Other notable tracks recorded by El Chicano are the funky Tell Her She's Lovely as well as a cover of Van Morrison's
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
1967 hit, Brown Eyed Girl
Brown Eyed Girl
"Brown Eyed Girl" is a song by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. Written and recorded in 1967 by Van Morrison and produced by Bang Records chief Bert Berns, it was first released in May 1967 on the album Blowin' Your Mind!. When released as a single, it rose to number eight on the...
.
Original members of El Chicano included Bobby Espinosa, Freddie Sanchez, Mickey Lespron, Andre Baeza, and John De Luna. During the 1970s, new members Ersi Arvizu, Rudy Regalado
Rudy Regalado (musician)
Héctor José Regalado was a Venezuelan Latin music bandleader, percussionist, composer and educator. He played professionally under the name Rudy Regalado.-Profile:...
, Max Garduno, Danny Lamonte, Brian Magness, Jerry Salas, Joe Pereria, and Rudy Salas joined the group.
El Chicano grew out of the burgeoning Latino music scene from the streets of East Los Angeles. Originally as “VIP”, founded by Freddie Sanchez, El Chicano is the most successful of the L.A. Latino Rock recording artists. Their 7 album, 5 gold record run for MCA Records (from 1970-1976) included classic albums such as Viva Tirado, Celebration, Revolución, Celebration, El Chicano, Cinco, The Best Of Everything, Pyramids Of Love & Friends and This Is El Chicano is unrivaled by any Latin Rock band to date.
El Chicano was originally driven by the swirling, bluesy shades of Bobby Espinosa’s Hammond B3 organ sound. Espinosa’s distinctive sound was up there with some of the best organists around, and integrated the sounds of Jimmy Smith and other Hammond B3 greats into the Latin Rock pantheon. Add to this the underpinning bass of Freddie Sanchez, with the atmospheric jazz flecked guitar chording and lead lines of Mickey Lespron. Pulling the top line together was the hot rhythm foundation of Andre Baeza on congas, Rudy Regalado on timbales, and John De Luna on drums. The band’s exciting live shows always include hot band originals with their carefully crafted cover versions, which never failed to hit the spot!!
Viva Tirado Album
The song Viva Tirado(a tribute to Mexican bullfighter, José Ramon Tirado) was composed by Maestro Gerald Wilson and was their big crossover smash. This initial album and song was significant also for charting in all music chart categories, apart from country and western, and garnered the group their first Gold Record in 1970 as well as being voted by Billboard and Cashbox publications the #1 Jazz group of the year.
Revolución Album
The Revolución album featured Ersi Arvizu on the beautiful ballad “Sabor A Mi ”, an Eastside anthem.
Celebration Album
The Celebration album featured knockout versions of Cream’s "I Feel Free", Joe Zawinul’s "In A Silent Way", and a superb cover of Van Morrison’s composition "Brown Eyed Girl", highlighting the vocals of Freddie Sanchez with a Latin rock groove - another classic cut. Their recordings showed a versatile and wide ranging adaptation of all that was currently hip and happening in the 70’s USA music scene.
El Chicano - Self Titled Album
“Tell Her She’s Lovely”, featuring the strong vocals of Jerry Salas, was another Top 40 hit in 1973 on the self-titled LP, El Chicano, that also went Gold for the group.
Cinco Album
Featuring "El Cayuco", "Gringo In Mexico", "What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You" Cinco was a great success for the group and also produced "The Latin One" that was included in the soundrack of the movie Donnie Brasco.
The Best Of Everything Album
"One More Night", "Follow The Apollo", Bringing Me Home, Zaire and the fabulous ballad "Primavera" ere the highlights of this album and showed yet even more the musical diversity of the band.
Pyramid of Love and Friends Album
Theme songs were the basis of this album featuring "Baretta's Theme" arranged and performed by El Chicano for the television show Baretta. Another fabulous theme song from the album is "Michael's Theme" written by Mickey Lespron and a music classic in it's own right.
This Is El Chicano Album
A really diversified album brought forward some really great songs such as "Ron-Con-Con", "Dancin' Mama", "Para Ti" and the cool and refreshing "Just Crusin". This album was also released in Germany under the Nova label as "Dancing Mama".
Going On 5 Decades of Music Accomplishments
Over a 40 plus year span, the Group has garnered 5 Gold records and was voted #1 Jazz group of 1970. El Chicano has recorded ten albums and their songs appear on over 50 compilation albums. Their music have been used on several major movies. The Group also has been recognized several times for their contributions to community and charities that help children and the arts.
Sharing The Stage With Legends
El Chicano has performed in different venues, shows, and arenas worldwide with many major artists including The Allman Brothers, Chaka Kahn, Jose Feliciano, The Jacksons, Lou Rawls, Sonny & Cher, Earth Wind & Fire, Santana, Rare Earth, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, Three Dog Night, Rod Stewart, The Guess Who, Electric Light Orchestra, Tower Of Power, Ted Nugent, Average White Band, Kool & The Gang, Marvin Gay, Linda Rondstadt, Olivia Newton John, Rufus, Blue Oyster Cult, Iron Butterfly, Santana, James Brown, The O’Jays, Smokey Robinson, Sly & The Family Stone, The Temptations, Canned Heat, Leo Sayer, The Spinners, Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, Isaac Hayes, Mongo Santamaria, Buddy Rich, Grateful Dead, Michel Bloomfield, Trini Lopez, Gregg Rolie, The Four Tops, Booker T & The MG's, Bloodstone, Jim Croche, Al Wilson, Elton John, Cheech & Chong, Richard Pryor, Paul Rodriguez, Wolfman Jack, Helen Reddy, OJ's, Jerry Butler, War - almost too many to mention, including a long list of Jazz and Latino Artists.
El Chicano - Little Known Facts
- El Chicano arranged and performed the original Baretta TV series theme song before the Sammy Davis Jr. version.
- El Chicano was the FIRST Latin group to perform at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem in 1970.
- El Chicano songs have been featured on several movie soundtracks including:
- LAST TANGO IN PARIS
- DONNY BRASCO
- THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS
- SUCKERS
- THE PALLBEARER
- NO MOTHERS CRYING, BABIES DYING
- HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS
- BLOOD IN – BLOOD OUT
- MI VIDA LOCA
- HOW THE GARCIA GIRLS SPENT THEIR SUMMER
- El Chicano are featured in a documentary entitled EL Chicano–In The Eye Of The Storm
- EL Chicano are also featured in the music videos:
- COLORES
- LATIN MUSIC LEGENDS
- LA BAMBA PARTY
- LATIN MUSIC USA
- VOICES OF LATIN ROCK
- El Chicano performed on the 2009 PBS pledge break special, Trini LopezTrini LopezTrini Lopez is an American singer, guitarist and actor.-Career:Lopez was born in Dallas, Texas, on Ashland Street in the Little Mexico neighborhood. He began his entertainment career in Dallas playing at the Vegas Club, a nightclub owned by Jack Ruby...
Presents the Legends of Latin Rock, along with Thee MidnitersThee MidnitersThee Midniters were an American group, amongst the first Chicano rock bands to have a major hit in the United States. Also they were and one of the best known acts to come out of East Los Angeles in the 1960s, with a cover of "Land of a Thousand Dances", and the instrumental track, "Whittier...
, TierraTierraTierra may refer to:* Earth, land or soil in the Spanish language—derived from the Latin term terra-Music:* Tierra , a Latin R&B band from the 70s and 80s* Tierra , a 1994 album by the Japanese rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel-Other uses:...
, and Gregg RolieGregg RolieGregg Alan Rolie is an American keyboardist, organist, and singer, who is one of the founding members of the bands Santana, The Storm, Abraxas Pool and Journey, for whom he was the original lead singer. He currently performs with his Gregg Rolie Band...
(of SantanaSantana (band)Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
and JourneyJourney (band)Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
fame). - El Chicano Appeared on the popular TV show American BandstandAmerican BandstandAmerican Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
twice hosted by Dick Clark (1974 and 1976) - El Chicano Appeared on the popular TV show Midnight SpecialMidnight SpecialMidnight Special may refer to:* "Midnight Special" , a song popularized by Lead Belly* Midnight Special * Midnight Special...
hosted by Wolfman JackWolfman JackRobert Weston Smith, known commonly as Wolfman Jack was a gravelly voiced US disc jockey who became famous in the 1960s and 1970s.-Early career:...
(1972)
Farewell To Two El Chicano Brothers
In 2010, two former members of El Chicano passed away: Co-founder and keyboardist Bobby Espinosa, who laid down the Hammond organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
on many of the band's most popular tracks such as Viva Tirado, died on February 27, 2010, and percussionist Rudy Regalado
Rudy Regalado (musician)
Héctor José Regalado was a Venezuelan Latin music bandleader, percussionist, composer and educator. He played professionally under the name Rudy Regalado.-Profile:...
, who spent twelve years with the band, died on August 4, 2010.
Still Going Strong
In early 2011, El Chicano teamed up with International Record Producer Gerard (Gerry) Gallagher (aka "G") and are presently in recording sessions in Los Angeles. The new CD (to be released in early 2012) will contain 12 songs and will feature collaborations with some of the biggest names in music industry lending their support to El Chicano and "G" Gallagher.
Charting Singles
- Viva Tirado (Parts 1 & 2) (1970) US #28
- Brown Eyed Girl (1972) US #45
- Tell Her She's Lovely (1973) US #40
Singles By Year & Label
Viva Tirado Pt.1/Viva Tirado Pt.2 (Kapp, MCA and Gordo) - 1970Viva Tirado Pt.1/Viva Tirado Pt.2 (MCA UK Release) - 1970
Eleanor Rigby/Coming Home Baby (Kapp) - 1970
Cubano Chant/Viva La Raza (Kapp) - 1971
Don’t Put Me Down/Sugar Sugar (Kapp) - 1971
Brown Eyed Girl/Mas Zacate (Kapp) - 1972
Brown eyed Girl/Mas Zacate (MCA Released In France) - 1972
Senor Blues/Satisfy Me Woman (Kapp) - 1972
Tell Her She’s Lovely (MCA) - 1973
Last Tango In Paris/In A Silent Way (MCA) - 1973
Last Tango In Paris/Viva La Raza (Melodi - Released In Turkey) - 1973
Last Tango In Paris/In A Silent Way (MCA - UK Release) - 1973
Theme Du Film - Le Dernier Tango a Paris (MCA) - 1973
(Se Fue Mi) Chachita (MCA) - 1973
Tell Her She’s Lovely (MCA) - 1974
Children/Little Sunflower (MCA) – 1974
Gringo En Mexico/Childen (MCA) - 1974
El Cayuco/Youv’e Been Wrong So Long (MCA) - 1974
Might As Well/Put On A Show (MCA) - 1975
You Can Have The Best Of Everything / Follow The Apollo (MCA) 1975
Viva Tirado/Canteloupe Island (MCA) - 1976
All I Can Remember (MCA) - 1976
Little Brother (Shadybrook) - 1977
Dancin’ Mama (Shadybrook) - 1977
Do You Want Me (Columbia CBS) -1983
Let me Dance With You (Columbia CBS and Streetwave) - 1984
I’m In Love With … (Columbia CBS) - 1984
Albums
- Viva Tirado (1970)
- Revolucion (1971)
- Celebration (1972)
- El Chicano (1973)
- Cinco (1974)
- The Best of Everything (1975)
- Pyramid (1976)
- This is El Chicano (1977)
- Viva El Chicano! - Their Very Best (1988)
- Chicano Chant (1997 Reissue)
- This is El Chicano 1998 (Reissue)
- Painting the Moment (1998)
- Latin Legends Live (1998)
- Masters Collection (2004)
VIVA TIRADO by EL CHICANO
1970 (KAPP)
1. Cantaloupe Island
2. Quiet Village
3. The Look Of Love
4. Eleanor Rigby
5. Viva Tirado
6. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
7. Hurt So Bad
8. Light My Fire
9. Coming Home Baby
EL CHICANO REVOLUCION
1971 (KAPP)
1. Keep On Moving
2. Cubano Chant
3. Sabor A Mi
4. Make It All Go
5. I’m A Good Woman
6. Viva La Raza
7. Spanish Grease
8. Sugar Sugar
9. Chicano Chant
EL CHICANO CELEBRATION
1972 (KAPP)
1. Viva Tirado Otra Vez
2. Mas Zacarte
3. Brown Eyed Girl
4. El Grito
5. Satisfy Me Woman
6. La Cucuracha
7. Juntos
8. Senor Blues
9. In A Silent Way
10. I Feel Free
EL CHICANO CELEBRACION (Released In Argentina)
1972 (KAPP)
1. Viva Tirado Otra Vez
2. Mas Zacarte
3. Brown Eyed Girl
4. El Grito
5. Satisfy Me Woman
6. La Cucuracha
7. Juntos
8. Senor Blues
9. In A Silent Way
10. I Feel Free
EL CHICANO by EL CHICANO
1973 (MCA)
1. Tell her She’s Lovely
2. Cha Chita
3. What’s Going On
4. Together
5. Enchanted Forest
6. Sunday Kind Of Mood
7. Un-Mundo
8. We’ve Only Just Begun
EL CHICANO CINCO
1974 (MCA)
1. El Cayuco
2. Children
3. You’ve Been Worng So Long
4. The Latin One
5. What You Don’t Know Won’t Hurt You
6. Ahora Si
7. Gringo In Mexico
8. Little Sunflower
EL CHICANO THE BEST OF EVERYTHING
1975 (MCA)
1. You Can Have The best of Everything
2. One More Night (Audi)
3. Put On A Show
4. I Want You To Know
5. Might As Well
6. Follow The Apollo
7. Bringing Me Home
8. Love the One You’re With
9. Zaire
10. Primavera
PYRAMID OF LOVE AND FRIENDS
1976 (MCA)
1. Baretta’s Theme (Keep Your Eyes on The Sparrow)
2. Michael’s Theme
3. I Love You Anyway
4. A Love Song’s Not A Love Song
5. Lake Aquabi
6. When You Got A Heartache
7. Can’t Get It Out Without You (Babe)
8. Such A Good Life
9. All I Can Remember
10. Pyramid (Of Love And Friends)
THIS IS … EL CHICANO
1977 (SHADYBROOK)
1. Dancing Mamma
2. Sweet Sensation
3, Que Sera
4. Ron Con-Con
5. Para Ti
6. Just Cruisin
7. Make You All My Own
8. Mello Hi
EL CHICANO - DANCING MAMA (Released in Germany)
1977 (NOVA - Germany)
1. Dancing Mamma
2. Sweet Sensation
3, Que Sera
4. Ron Con-Con
5. Para Ti
6. Just Cruisin
7. Make You All My Own
8. Mello Hi
VIVA! EL CHICANO - THEIR VERY BEST
1988 (GEFFEN)
1. Viva Tirado
2. The Latin One
3. Brown Eyed Girl
4. Cantaloupe Island
5. El Cayuco
6. Tell Her She’s Lovely
7. Quiet Village
8. Ahora Si
9. Pyramid (Of Love And Friends)
EL CHICANO CHICANO CHANT
1997 (MCA)
1. Chicano Chant
2. (Se Fue Mi) Chachita
3. Gringo In Mexico
4. Viva Tirado
5. La Cucaracha
6. Juntos
7. Sabor A Mi
8. Cubano Chant
9. El Grito
10. El Cavuco
11. Viva La Raza
EL CHICANO PAINTING THE MOMENT
1998 (THUMP)
1. Sketches (Of A Culture Bridge)
2. Para Ti (Tokyo)
3. Costa Mia
4. Desert Waltz
5. Carolina. No
6. Ron-Con-Con II
7. Colores
8. Song Of My Father
9. Inolvidable (Unforgettable)
10. Painting The Moment
11. Jive Samba
20TH CENTURY MASTERS - THE BEST OF EL CHICANO
2004 (GEFFEN)
1. Viva Tirado
2. Brown-Eyed Girl
3. Il Cayuco
4. Tell Her She’s Lovely
5. The Latin One
6. Sabor A Mi
7. Juntos
8. (Se Fue mi) Cha Chita
9. Cubano Chant
10. Cantaloupe Island
11. Ahora Si
12. Gringo En Mexico