Los Chalchaleros
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1948 in Salta Province, Argentina |
| Founder | Victor José Zambrano, Carlos Franco Sosa, Aldo Saravia, Juan Carlos Saravia |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Salta Province , Argentina |
| Products | Argentine folk music albums |
Los Chalchaleros represented a prominent Argentine folk music quartet, widely regarded as one of Latin America's most significant traditional ensembles. Established in 1948 within Salta province, their name was inspired by the regional bird known as the chalchalero. The group concluded their musical activities, including performances and recordings, in 2003.
The founding members were Victor José Zambrano ("Cocho"), Carlos Franco Sosa, Aldo Saravia, and Juan Carlos Saravia, making their public debut on June 16, 1948. In later years, the ensemble consisted of Juan Carlos Saravia, Eduardo Román ("Polo"), Ricardo Francisco Figueroa ("Pancho"), and Facundo Saravia. Former participants also included José Antonio Saravia Toledo, Ricardo Federico Dávalos ("Dicky"), and Ernesto Cabeza.
Throughout their career, Los Chalchaleros produced close to fifty albums, focusing on classic Argentine folk styles such as zamba, cueca, chacarera, gato, and chamamé. In 1964, the Argentine publishing house Editorial Ritmos del Andes released "Canciones folkloricas con Los Chachareros: Exitos del Momento," a compilation showcasing some of their most celebrated tracks.
Beyond their musical legacy, the group's influence reached into scientific recognition when a rodent species discovered in La Rioja Province was named Salinoctomys loschalchalerosorum—commonly referred to as the Chalchalero viscacha rat. This homage was bestowed by Michael A. Mares of the University of Oklahoma, who acknowledged the inspiration drawn from their music during years of research in the field.