Los Panchos (also known as the Trío Los Panchos) was an internationally famous Latin trío romántico known for its romantic ballads and boleros.
History
Los Panchos first met in 1944 in New York City.
The three original members were Alfredo Gil and Chucho Navarro, both from Mexico, and Hernando Avilés from Puerto Rico. All three played guitar and contributed vocally.
Los Panchos reached fame with their romantic songs, especially in Latin America where they are still regarded as one of the top trios of all time. They sold millions of records within a few years of being founded.
They also appeared in around fifty movies mostly during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.
Los Panchos began touring internationally in 1946 and would relocate later that same year to Mexico City, considered the world capital of Spanish-language music[citation needed]. They were welcomed with open arms and XEW-AM, the most popular radio station in Mexico City, reserved a time slot for their music. In 1951, Los Panchos launched another international tour across Latin America.
Julito Rodríguez joined the group in 1952; he was replaced by Johnny Albino in 1958. Johnny Albino & Chucho Navarro, (Miguel Poventud and Yomo Toro were studio musicians for CBS) famously worked with singer Eydie Gorme on a series of bestselling albums in the 1960s. The Albino era was one of the most prosperous ones for Los Panchos whose classic albums are very popular among Los Panchos fans still. His departure in 1968 was a tumultuous one, as he did not leave on good terms with the group's management.
In 1971, Ovidio Hernández joined the band as lead vocalist, a part he would fulfill until his untimely passing of complications of meningitis in 1976. Following him, Rafael Basurto Lara joined as lead singer.
Alfredo Gil played with Los Panchos until his retirement in 1981 (he died in 1999) and Chucho Navarro played with the group until his death in 1993.
A characteristic instrument of Los Panchos and many more bolero trios after them is the Requinto guitar, which is smaller and tuned higher than a standard guitar, and was invented by Alfredo Gil, founding member of Los Panchos. Requinto solos are typically part of a bolero song.
Today, there are several trios claiming to be the rightful successors to the original trio. Another Trio Los Panchos also known as "Trio Los Panchos con Gabi Vargas" (Trio Los Panchos with Gabi Vargas) is currently under the musical direction of Gabriel Vargas Aguilar. , still continues to perform concerts across Mexico, Latin America, and the United States, with a newer cast of singers.
Another trio using the Los Panchos name is the Trio Los Panchos de Chucho Navarro Fundador (Trio Los Panchos of Founder Chucho Navarro) under the direction of Chucho Navarro Jr. the son of original Los Panchos member Chucho Navarro, makes presentations worldwide .
Eto yun isa sa mga plaka namin nuon na laging pinapa-tugtog ng tatay ko nuong bata ako, kapag may bisita sa bahay at may konting inuman, na kahit hindi mo nga maintindihan, wala kang magagawa kundi pakinggan at halos mamemorya mo na rin yun ibang kanta.. hehehe
Buti nakahanap pa ko ng magandang kopya nito, hindi na ito yun original na plaka namin pero andito yun mga kanta na halos mapakinggan naming mga magkakapatid, ate at mga kuya ko.. marami pa kong ipopost na mga luma, at mga kinagisnan at mga napakinggan tugtugin dahil sa tatay ko na mahilig din sa musika at mga plaka.
Sayang nga lang at hindi ko na narecover ang mga plakang yon, kaya heto kahit sa mga digitally remastered eh mabuo o makuha ko ang mga kopya ng mga plaka namin na lagi namin napapakinggan... abangan nyo na lang yun mga iba pang kasunod.. hehehe
