Los Panchos are regarded as one of the top musical trios of all time and one of the most influential Latin American artists of all time.[2] They sold out concerts around the globe for over 70 years and have appeared in more than 50 films.[1]
A characteristic instrument of Los Panchos and other Mexicantríos románticos since the 1950s is therequinto guitar, which is smaller and tuned higher than a standard guitar. Requinto solos are found in many bolero recordings by Los Panchos.
Los Panchos first met in 1944 in New York City.[3] The three original members wereChucho Navarro, andAlfredo Gil, both from Mexico, and Hernando Avilés from Puerto Rico. All three played guitar and contributed vocally.[4]
Los Panchos reached fame with their romantic songs, especially inLatin America where they are still regarded as one of the top trios of all time. They sold millions of records in Latin America and other countries. In the 1940s they collaborated withAlfredo Antonini's Viva America Orchestra with the orchestral accordionistJohn Serry Sr. in a recording of "La Palma" (acueca) and "Rosa Negra" (aconga) for Pilotone Records (#45 5067, #45 5069).[5] They also appeared in around 50 movies, mostly during theGolden Age of Mexican cinema.
By 1946, the trio's exceptional virtuosity and authenticity had attracted the attention ofEdmund Chester atCBS Radio's Cadena de Las Americas (Network of the Americas).[6][7] Los Panchos were immediately invited to perform as "musical ambassadors" on the network'sViva América program to supportcultural diplomacy in twenty countries throughout Latin America and South America.[8][9][10][11]
Los Panchos began touring internationally in 1946 and would relocate later that same year toMexico City. They were welcomed with open arms andXEW-AM, the most popular radio station in Mexico City, reserved a time slot for their music.[12] In 1951, Los Panchos launched another international tour across Latin America.Julito Rodríguez joined the group in 1952; he was replaced byJohnny Albino in 1958.
In 1964, CBS proposed to the members of the trio, then made up of the two founding members and Johnny Albino, to accompany a female voice for the first time, the American vocalist of Judeo-Spanish descentEydie Gormé, who had several years of recording experience in the United States and who was just beginning to record in Spanish. The collaboration between Gormé and Los Panchos resulted in a series of bestselling albums in the 1960s such as Great Love Songs In Spanish (titled Amor, in Spanish).[13] The Albino era was one of the most prosperous ones for Los Panchos, and classic albums from that time are still very popular among Los Panchos fans. 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 from complications ofmeningitis in 1976. Following him,Rafael Basurto Lara joined as lead singer.[14]
Alfredo Gil played with Los Panchos until his retirement in 1981; he died in 1999. Chucho Navarro played with the group until his death in 1993. Currently the 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 ofChucho Navarro Jr., the son of original Los Panchos member Chucho Navarro.
Photograph of the Los Panchos Trio withManolita Arriola forCBS Radio's La Cadena de Las Americas (Network of the Americas) on "Viva America" in 1946
You man hear Los Panchos Trio singing "La Palma" withAlfredo Antonini conducting theCBSViva America Orchestra and the accordionistJohn Serry Sr. circa 1946here