Latin Rock Legend El Chicano Coming to the Fair

The Latin jazz/rock legendary band El Chicano will perform for the first time this year at the Santa Cruz County Fair. El Chicano emerged out of the East Los Angeles music scene in early ’70s and helped create a new sound — a blend of Latin jazz, L.A. funk and rock and roll. Now, that “new” sound has returned with nearly all the original lineup.

Founder Freddie Sanchez originally formed the band as the V.I.P.s in the late 1960s. The group’s first recording was a rendition of “Viva Tirado,” an homage to Mexican bullfighter Jose Ramon Tirado and written by jazz composer Gerald Wilson. The single was released in 1970 on MCA records and the band soon changed its name to El Chicano.

“Viva Tirado,” a fusion of jazz, rock and Latin sounds, featured Bobby Espinosa on the Hammond B-3 organ. It became a huge hit in Los Angeles and El Chicano released six more albums under the MCA label: “Revolution” in 1971, “El Chicano” in 1973, “Cinco” in 1974, “The Best of Everything” in 1975 and “Pyramid” in 1976. “This is El Chicano” was also released in ’76 for the Shady Brooke music label. In ’73, their single “Tell Her She’s Lovely,” reached no. 40 on the Billboard charts.

The band has undergone many personnel changes throughout its four decades, but Sanchez, a bass player, is happy to have many of the old band members back. Espinosa is back behind the organ. Jerry Salas on vocals and guitar, and Rudy Regalado on percussion.

"So far, it’s been great. We are putting on some really powerful shows and the audiences have been really responding well. I think everyone up there is going to have a lot of fun," Espinosa said in a phone interview from his home in the Los Angeles area. "I feel that now, considering all the experience we’ve had all the years, we understand our sound a lot more.”

Since “Viva Tirado,” El Chicano has performed all over the world and with acts such as Rod Stewart, ZZ Top, Michael Jackson, Santana and War. The band continues to attract notice. In July they performed at the Playboy Mansion for An Evening with Legends of Latin Rock.

“Back then, we were just a bunch of young guys out there performing — finding our way. We didn’t realize where it would all go. Now we appreciate everything more and we're playing really well together."
Espinosa says the band now wants to build on its legacy. As one of the pioneer Latino rock bands, Espinosa says it is important to promote cultural pride as a Hispanic. “There’s a lot to stand up for. Always in a positive way, though.”

Catch El Chicano’s appearance Sunday night at 7:30 on the Ampitheater stage.

Visit El Chicano's official website