El Chicano

El Chicano

Industry	Music
Founded	1969 in Los Angeles, California, United States
Founder	Freddie Sanchez
Defunct	2000
Headquarters	Los Angeles , United States
Products	Brown-eyed soul music, rock, funk, soul, blues, jazz, salsa

El Chicano was a Los Angeles-based American band known for their brown-eyed soul style, incorporating elements from rock, funk, soul, blues, jazz, and salsa. The group's name is inspired by the term Chicano, referring to Mexican-American individuals.

History

Originating as The VIP's under the leadership of Freddie Sanchez during a period of growing Chicano cultural pride, El Chicano gained prominence with their hit "Viva Tirado," a soulful rock-jazz interpretation of Gerald Wilson's composition about a bullfighter. This track dominated Los Angeles radio airwaves for thirteen consecutive weeks. Their repertoire also includes the funk-driven "Tell Her She's Lovely" and a rendition of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl."

The founding lineup consisted of Bobby Espinosa, Freddie Sanchez, Mickey Lespron, Andre Baeza, and John De Luna, with Ersi Arvizu serving as lead vocalist for several years. Throughout the 1970s, the ensemble expanded to feature musicians such as Rudy Regalado, Max Garduno, Danny Lamonte, Brian Magness, Jerry Salas, and Joe Perreria.

Their 1970 release Viva Tirado not only included the gold-certified single of the same name but also presented a cover of Herbie Hancock's jazz classic "Cantaloupe Island."

El Chicano continues to perform with a mix of original and newer members. They were featured in the 2009 PBS program Trini Lopez Presents 'The Legends of Latin Rock' , sharing the stage with groups like Thee Midniters and Tierra. From 2010 until 2012, Latin percussionist Walfredo Reyes Jr., formerly associated with Santana, collaborated with them.

Bobby Espinosa, the original keyboardist celebrated for his Hammond organ contributions, passed away in February 2010. Likewise, Rudy Regalado, who contributed twelve years on percussion, died in November 2010.

Members

• Ersi Arvizu – lead vocals (1970)
• Eddie Avila – drums (2010–present)
• Andre Baeza – congas (1970)
• John De Luna – drums (1970)
• Bobby Espinosa – organ (1970; deceased February 27, 2010)
• Max Garduno – congas
• Danny Lamonte – drums
• Mickey Lespron – guitar (1970)
• Brian Magness – bass
• Joe Perreria – bass
• Rudy Regalado – timbales (joined circa 1971; deceased November 4, 2010)
• Walfredo "Wally" Reyes Jr. – drums and congas (2010–2012)
• Joseph Baeza – congas (2011–2013; deceased October 18, 2016)
• David "Chango" Chavez – congas (2015–present)
• Jerry Salas – lead vocals and guitar (joined in 1973)
• Rudy Salas – vocals (1970; deceased December 29, 2020)
• Steve Salas – vocals (1970; deceased February 10, 2022)
• Freddie Sanchez – bass (1970)
• Larry Chavana – bass (1981–1984)

Albums

US ! width="30" |US R&B ! width="30" |US Jazz
1970	Viva Tirado	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
1971	Revolución	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
1972	Celebration	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
1973	El Chicano	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
1974	Cinco	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
1975	The Best of Everything	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
1976	Pyramid of Love and Friends	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
1998	Painting the Moment	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center

See also

• Chicano rock

External links

Year	Title	US	US R&B	Easy Listening	AUS
1970	"Viva Tirado – Part I"
"Eleanor Rigby"	"115"	"—"	"—"	"—"
"Cubano Chant"	"—"	"—"	"—"	"—"
"Brown Eyed Girl"	"45"	"—"	"—"	"87"
"Satisfy Me Woman"	"—"	"—"	"—"	"—"
"Last Tango in Paris"	"—"	"—"	"—"	"—"
"Tell Her She's Lovely"	"40"	"98"	"22"	"54"
"Baretta's Theme"	"—"	"—"	"—"	"—"
"Do You Want Me"	"—"	"—"	"—"	"—"
"Let Me Dance with You"	"—"	"—"	"—"	"—"