Print June 28, 2013

Greeley Stampede Spotlight: Los Lobos

by John Hann

Los-Lobos-Horiz-Color-2Los Lobos is an American Chicano rock band from east L.A. and are most famous for doing music for the 1987 film “La Bamba” that follows the life story of the 50s rocker Ritchie Valens.

The band has been together for over thirty years and have worked to redefine their sound as a band. The musicians’ upbeat latin rock, tex-mex, R&B, folk, and rock sounds combine for a good concert that lifts crowds’ spirits and entertains.

Los Lobos is Spanish for “the wolves” and this pack consists of David Hidalgo, Cesar Rosas, Conrad Lozano, Louie Perez, and Steven Berlin. The band plays an assortment of instruments including: guitar, bass, mandolin, accordion, keyboard, saxophone, flute, harmonica, violin, banjo, melodica, and various percussion instruments. Their catchy sound and well-arranged set is a great addition to this year’s Stampede.

In 2010, they released a new album recorded in their hometown in East L.A. where they started in the 1970s. The songs on the album are filled with precise and bluesy sounds that are captivating and easy to enjoy, while the lyrics show the band’s ability to tell a passionate story.

The well-crafted group has received several awards since they have been together, such as two Grammy awards for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album. They also received an award from MTV for Best Video From a Film and a Kid’s Choice Award for Favorite Song.

Los Lobos will be performing on the main stage on June 30th.