Los Speakers
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Bogotá , Colombia |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Los Speakers were a beat and garage rock ensemble originating from Bogotá, Colombia, active throughout the 1960s. Their sound drew inspiration from early works of the Beatles and the Byrds, gradually transitioning into Psychedelic rock before their dissolution in late 1968.
At first, they gained recognition by performing covers of well-known tracks by the Beatles and Latin American groups such as Los Brincos. Over time, they shifted focus towards creating original compositions characterized by eerie, somber melodies. Their discography, particularly the last avant-garde LP, continues to be prized among collectors.
The group emerged from the fusion of two bands: Dynamic (1961–1964), which included Fernando Latorre, Alfredo Besoza, and Humberto Monroy, and Electronic, composed of Luis and Edgar Dueñas, sons of composer Luis Dueñas Knob. The initial formation—Rodrigo Garcia (guitar), Humberto Monroy (bass), Fernando Latorre (drums), Oswaldo Hernandez, and Luis Dueñas (guitars)—served as the backing band for Enrique Guzman during his 1964 visit to Bogotá. They achieved prominence amid Colombia's beat music scene.
The band
- Rodrigo Garcia – guitar, vocals, keyboards, percussion, violin, banjo, tiple, bass (1964–1969)
- Luis Dueñas – guitar, vocals (1964–1967)
- Oswaldo Hernandez – guitar, vocals, tiple (1964–1966)
- Humberto Monroy – bass, vocals, harmonica, percussion (1964–1969)
- Fernando Latorre – drums, backing vocals (1964–1965)
- Oscar Lasprilla – guitar, vocals, harmonica, keyboards, percussion (1967)
- Edgar Dueñas – drums (1966–1967)
- Roberto Fiorilli – drums, percussion, keyboards (1967–1969)
Discography
- The Speakers (1965), Sello Vergara
- La Casa Del Sol Naciente (1965), Discos Bambuco
- Tuercas, Tornillos y Alicates (US Release 1966), Discos Bambuco
- The Speakers IV (1967), Discos Bambuco
- The Speakers En El Maravilloso Mundo De Ingeson (1968), Producciones Kriss