Los Panchos
Encyclopedia
Los Panchos was an internationally famous Latin pop
trio known for its romantic ballads and boleros.
and Chucho Navarro
, both from Mexico
), and Hernando Aviles from Puerto Rico
. All three played guitar and contributed vocally.
Los Panchos reached fame with their romantic songs, especially in Latin America
where they are still regarded as one of the top trios of all time. They sold millions of records within a few years of being founded.
They also appeared in around fifty movies mostly during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.
Los Panchos began touring internationally in 1946 and would relocate later that same year to Mexico City
, considered the world capital of Spanish-language music. They were welcomed with open arms and XEW-AM
, the most popular radio station in Mexico City, reserved a time slot for their music. In 1951, Los Panchos launched another international tour across Latin America.
Julito Rodriguez
joined the group in 1952; he was replaced by Johnny Albino
in 1958. Johnny Albino & Chucho Navarro, (Miguel Poventud
and Yomo Toro were studio musicians for CBS) famously worked with singer Eydie Gorme
on a series of bestselling albums in the 1960s. The Albino era was one of the most prosperous ones for Los Panchos whose classic albums are very popular among Los Panchos fans still. His departure in 1968 was a tumultuous one, as he did not leave on good terms with the group's management.
In 1971, Ovidio Hernández joined the band as lead vocalist, a part he would fulfill until his untimely passing of complications of meningitis
in 1976. Following him, Rafael Basurto Lara joined as lead singer, he is today the last living person to have been a lead vocalist in the original Trio Los Panchos ("original" referring to any lineup that included founding members Gil and Navarro).
Alfredo Gil played with Los Panchos until his retirement in 1981 (he died in 1999) and Chucho Navarro played with the group until his death in 1993.
A characteristic instrument of Los Panchos and many more bolero trios after them is the Requinto
guitar, which is smaller and tuned higher than a standard guitar, and was invented by Alfredo Gil, founding member of Los Panchos. Requinto soli are typically part of a bolero song.
Today, there are several trios claiming to be the rightful successors to the original trio, with Rafael Basurto Lara, lead singer of the original Trio Los Panchos since 1976 still being the lead voice of one of them.
Another Trio Los Panchos is currently under the musical direction of Gabriel Vargas Aguilar, the adopted son of co-founder Gil. This band, now based in Veracruz, Mexico
, still continues to perform concerts across Mexico
, Latin America
, and the United States
, with a newer cast of singers.
Latin pop
Latin pop generally refers to pop music that has what may be perceived a Latin American influence...
trio known for its romantic ballads and boleros.
History
Los Panchos first met in 1944 in New York City. The three original members were Alfredo GilAlfredo Gil
Alfredo Bojalil Gil , also known by his nickname el güero, was a singer and founding member of the musical trio, Trio Los Panchos. As a member of Los Panchos, he was the third voice and player of the requinto, a small guitar.-External links:*...
and Chucho Navarro
Chucho Navarro
José de Jesús Navarro Moreno, , better known by his stage name of "Chucho" Navarro, was a singer and founding member of the Trio Los Panchos. Chucho Navarro was the second voice in the trio, singing harmony and playing a guitar. He continued to sing in this role until his death in 1993.-External...
, both from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
), and Hernando Aviles from Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. All three played guitar and contributed vocally.
Los Panchos reached fame with their romantic songs, especially in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
where they are still regarded as one of the top trios of all time. They sold millions of records within a few years of being founded.
They also appeared in around fifty movies mostly during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.
Los Panchos began touring internationally in 1946 and would relocate later that same year to Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, considered the world capital of Spanish-language music. They were welcomed with open arms and XEW-AM
XEW-AM
XEW-AM is a radio station in Mexico City, Mexico. It is branded as W-Radio and its slogan is La voz de la América Latina desde México or "The voice of Latin America from Mexico."It began regular broadcasts at 20:00 CST on 18 September 1930...
, the most popular radio station in Mexico City, reserved a time slot for their music. In 1951, Los Panchos launched another international tour across Latin America.
Julito Rodriguez
Julito Rodriguez
Julito Rodríguez born October 5, 1925 in Santurce, Puerto Rico, is a bolero singer, guitarist & composer.Rodriguez was acknowledged to be a child prodigy in music, becoming interested in this topic since his early childhood...
joined the group in 1952; he was replaced by Johnny Albino
Johnny Albino
Johnny Albino was a Puerto Rican bolero singer, born in Yauco.-Biography:Albino played and sang through his youth years. It wasn't until years later, however, that he would get a chance to sing as part of an organized act...
in 1958. Johnny Albino & Chucho Navarro, (Miguel Poventud
Miguel Poventud
Miguel Poventud a.k.a. "El Niño Prodigio de Guayama" and "Miguelito" , was a Puerto Rican musician, singer, actor and composer of Boleros...
and Yomo Toro were studio musicians for CBS) famously worked with singer Eydie Gorme
Eydie Gormé
Eydie Gormé is an American singer, specializing, with her husband, Steve Lawrence, in traditional pop music, in the form of ballads and breezy swing. She has earned numerous awards, including the Grammy and the Emmy...
on a series of bestselling albums in the 1960s. The Albino era was one of the most prosperous ones for Los Panchos whose classic albums are very popular among Los Panchos fans still. His departure in 1968 was a tumultuous one, as he did not leave on good terms with the group's management.
In 1971, Ovidio Hernández joined the band as lead vocalist, a part he would fulfill until his untimely passing of complications of meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
in 1976. Following him, Rafael Basurto Lara joined as lead singer, he is today the last living person to have been a lead vocalist in the original Trio Los Panchos ("original" referring to any lineup that included founding members Gil and Navarro).
Alfredo Gil played with Los Panchos until his retirement in 1981 (he died in 1999) and Chucho Navarro played with the group until his death in 1993.
A characteristic instrument of Los Panchos and many more bolero trios after them is the Requinto
Requinto
The term requinto is used in both Spanish and Portuguese to mean a smaller, higher-pitched version of another instrument. Thus, there are requinto guitars, drums, and several wind instruments.-Wind instruments:...
guitar, which is smaller and tuned higher than a standard guitar, and was invented by Alfredo Gil, founding member of Los Panchos. Requinto soli are typically part of a bolero song.
Today, there are several trios claiming to be the rightful successors to the original trio, with Rafael Basurto Lara, lead singer of the original Trio Los Panchos since 1976 still being the lead voice of one of them.
Another Trio Los Panchos is currently under the musical direction of Gabriel Vargas Aguilar, the adopted son of co-founder Gil. This band, now based in Veracruz, Mexico
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
, still continues to perform concerts across Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, with a newer cast of singers.
Discography
Singles- Si tú me dices ven (Lodo)
- Solamente una vez
- PerfidiaPerfidia"Perfidia" is a popular song written by Alberto Domínguez , a Mexican composer and arranger born in the state of Chiapas, about love and betrayal. Aside from the original Spanish, other renditions exist, including English and instrumental versions. The English lyrics are by Milton Leeds...
- Un siglo de ausencia
- Rayito de luna
- Noche de ronda
- Sin ti
- Ya es muy tarde
- Quizás, Quizás, QuizásQuizás, Quizás, Quizás"Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" , is a popular song by Cuban songwriter Osvaldo Farres. Farrés wrote the original Spanish lyrics, as well as composing the 1947 hit...
- Perdida
- Flor de azalea
- Sabor a mí
- Vagabundo
- ¿Quién será?
- Una copa más
- Siete Notas de Amor (1958, Philippines)