Las Caribelles
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | Late 1960s |
| Founder | Emily Krasinski, Norma Krasinski, Frances Girau, Deborah Arús |
| Headquarters | Puerto Rico , Puerto Rico |
| Products | Pop and salsa music albums and performances |
Las Caribelles represent a Puerto Rican female ensemble specializing in pop and salsa genres, active since the late 1960s. The founding members comprised sisters Emily and Norma Krasinski, alongside Frances Girau and Deborah Arús.
Origins
The group originated at Puerto Rico's Conservatorio de Musica, bringing together Frances Girau, Mary Lyne Pagán, and the Krasinski sisters, Norma and Emily. Under the guidance of prominent Puerto Rican music industry figure Fausto Curbelo, they rapidly attracted public interest.
Achievements
Their initial contract was with the "Hit Parade" label, gaining prominence through their rendition of Palito Ortega's "La Felicidad," which connected them to Puerto Rico’s "nueva ola" musical wave. They featured on the television program "El Show de Estrellas," sharing the stage with notable performers like Julio Angel and Nydia Caro.
Las Caribelles sustained their radio success with songs such as "Un Hombre y Una Mujer," "Crema Batida," and "Los Tiempos de Antes." Their visibility increased with appearances on Telemundo’s "Lo Mejor de la Semana."
During the early 1970s, they held performance residencies at San Juan’s San Juan Hotel and Casino as well as the Caribe Hilton Hotel. Following a brief solo endeavor by Norma Krasinski, the group recorded a widely recognized Texaco advertisement featuring Tavin Pumarejo. Norma later rejoined the ensemble.
Their 1976 album released by Borinquen Records, titled after the band, included popular tracks like "Matame," "El Valle y el Volcán," and "Vamos a Jugar al Amor." Near the end of that decade, they produced the salsa number "La Llorona" and appeared on Luis Vigoreaux’s Sunday variety show "Dale que Dale en Domingo."
Balancing family commitments and other professional pursuits, Las Caribelles concluded their activities following a final performance on 29 September 1979 at Cerromar Hotel in Dorado, Puerto Rico.
In the 1980s, Norma Krasinski became well-known for portraying the children’s television persona "Chicola" on her program "Chicola y la Ganga."
Reunion
Las Caribelles briefly regrouped in 1997 for a tribute event named "Nueva Ola Portorricencis" hosted by the city of Caguas, where they performed a capella piece.
In 2023, the group made a comeback concert appearance at the Centro de Bellas Artes de Caguas. Plans for a revival around 2020 were postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Albums
- Los tiempos de antes... (Hit Parade, 1967)
- Las Caribelles (Hit Parade, 1969)
- Las Caribelles (Borinquen, 1976)