Barrabás
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Fernando Arbex |
| Headquarters | Spain |
Area served | Europe, Americas, Latin America |
Key people | Fernando Arbex (founder, drummer, producer), José María Moll (drummer), Iñaki Egaña (bassist, vocalist), Enrique "Ricky" Morales (guitarist, vocalist), Miguel Morales (guitarist, bassist, vocalist) |
| Products | Albums, live performances |
Number of employees | Various members over time |
| Website | www |
Barrabás is a Spanish band that gained prominence primarily during the 1970s and 1980s, led by drummer and producer Fernando Arbex. Their musical approach transitioned from a foundation in Latin rock infused with elements of jazz and funk to a style more aligned with disco rhythms.
History
In 1971, following the dissolution of his former group Alacrán, Arbex established Barrabás. He collaborated with Alacrán’s bassist and vocalist Iñaki Egaña, alongside Filipino guitarist siblings Ricky and Miguel Morales, Portuguese keyboardist Juan Vidal, and Cuban musician/percussionist/saxophonist/flutist Tito Duarte to create their first album, Wild Safari.
The debut album Wild Safari featured successful tracks such as "Woman" and "Wild Safari," which gained popularity throughout Europe and the Americas, including markets in the USA and Canada. The band also embarked on extensive tours across Latin America.
Following the release of Wild Safari, Arbex dismissed Egaña and stepped back from performing, bringing in José Luis Tejada as vocalist and José María Moll on drums. This ensemble produced two albums: Power in 1973 and ¡Soltad a Barrabás! in 1974. The latter contained the hit "Hi-Jack," which reached number one in Spain and was later covered by American jazz artist Herbie Mann in 1975.
After internal conflicts led to Moll’s exit, Daniel Louis took over drumming duties. Embracing the disco trend of the mid-1970s, Barrabás released several modest hits. Subsequent personnel shifts saw Tejada and Ricky Morales replaced by Ernie Garrett, who eventually departed due to health complications, culminating in the band's breakup in 1977. Arbex then devoted his efforts to composing and producing for other musicians.
The band reassembled in 1980 with a refreshed lineup that excluded the Morales brothers, Vidal, and Louis; however, Moll returned along with Costa Rican guitarist "Koky" Maning, bassist "Susy" Gordaliza, and keyboardist Armando Pelayo. They recorded two albums before RCA Records dropped them, leading to the departures of Tejada, Maning, Gordaliza, and Pelayo. Miguel Morales and Egaña rejoined for the 1983 release Prohibido under CBS.
Throughout the 1990s, Barrabás operated on a smaller scale under Moll’s direction, with contributions from Egaña, Miguel Morales, Duarte, and others during live performances and studio sessions. Several albums featuring re-recorded versions of earlier hits were released. As of 2025, the band continues to perform with a new lineup headed by Moll.
Founder Fernando Arbex passed away in 2003. Multi-instrumentalist Tito Duarte died in Spain on 14 July 2003 at age 57. José Luis Tejada passed on 20 April 2014 at age 69. Enrique "Ricky" Morales died in Madrid on 28 September 2024 at age 79. Miguel Morales passed away on 19 September 2025 at age 75.
Current members
- Roció Chaves – vocals, percussion
- Juan Escobar – guitar
- Carlos Bargas – bass guitar
- Luis Torres – keyboards
- Francisco Nuñez – drums
Former members
- Fernando Arbex (1941–2003) – drums (1971–72), production
- Iñaki Egaña (1948–) – bass guitar, vocals (1971–72, 1983–?)
- Ernesto "Tito" Duarte (1946–2003) – saxophone, flute, drums, percussion (1971–77, 1980–2003)
- Enrique "Ricky" Morales (1945–2024) – lead guitar, vocals (1971–77)
- Miguel Morales (1950–2025) – guitar, bass guitar, vocals (1971–77, 1983–?)
- Ernie Garrett (d. 1978) – guitar, vocals (1977)
- João Antonio "Juan" Vidal (1945–) – keyboards, vocals (1971–77)
- José Luis Tejada (1945–2014) – vocals (1972–77, 1980–83)
- José María Moll (1946–) – drums (1972–74, 1980–?)
- Daniel Louis (1946–d.) – drums (1974–77)
- Armando Pelayo (1948–) – keyboards (1980–83)
- Jorge Eduardo "Koky" Maning – guitar, vocals (1980–83)
- Jesús "Susi" Gordaliza – bass guitar, vocals (1980–83)
Album discography
- Wild Safari – 1971 (also known as Barrabás)
- Power – 1973
- ¡Soltad a Barrabás! – 1974 (alternatively titled Release Barrabás or Hi-Jack)
- Heart of the City – 1975 (also referred to as Check Mate)
- Watch Out – 1975 (known as Desperately in some editions)
- Barrabás – 1977 (released under the names Swinger or Watch-Out)
- Piel de Barrabás – 1981
- Bestial – 1982
- Prohibido – 1983
- Barrabás Power – Abraxa – 1994
- Grandes Éxitos – 1997
- Vive – 1999
External links
- [ Barrabás at Allmusic]
- Complete discography at Spanishprogressiverock.blogspot.com
- Official website (in Spanish)