Los Iracundos

Los Iracundos
Background information
Origin Paysandú
Genres Nueva ola, rock and roll
Years active 1958-present
Website Los Iracundos Sitio Oficial

Los Iracundos are a popular band from Uruguay from the city of Paysandú, They have been active since the 60s. Their music can be classified as Rock and Roll, as well Ballads.

History

The Group was formed in 1958 in Paysandú, Uruguay and was originally formed by six musicians who called themselves "Los Blue Kings", this name was chosen as in that time most of the band's names were in the English language, but a music teacher told them that was a better idea if they switched to Spanish, so they adopted the name of "Los Iracundos", thanks to the dominance of the record label "RCA Victor".

The original band members were Eduardo Franco (vocals and composer), his brother Leonardo Franco (Lead Guitar), Juan Carlos Velázquez (Drums), Juan Bosco Zabalo (Rhythm Guitar), Hugo Burgueño (Bass Guitar), and Jesús María Febrero (keyboards).

1960s

Los Iracundos reached international fame with songs from youth like "Calla", "Todo Terminó", "El Desengaño", "La lluvia terminó", "Felicidad", "Tu ya no seras", "Es la lluvia que cae", and "El Triunfador", most of these songs were included on their album "Iracundos en Roma", their most successful album and the one who even took them to the big screen like the film "Este loco verano".

Los Iracundos debuted on stage in October 10, 1961, at the historic Florencio Sánchez Theatre, in less than two years they recorded their first album with the record "Clave", which included the songs "Reten la noche" and "Madison", as well the songs "A Saint Tropez" and "Despierta Lorenzo.

But without a doubt, their most successful and most recognizable song from this decade was "Puerto Montt", which was written by Eduardo Franco and Cacho Valdez, it was recorded in October 16, 1968, at the RCA Studios in Argentina and was played it live for the first time on The Buenos Aires Festival de la Canción on November 11, 1968.

1970s

During the 1970s, they reassured their popularity with many other recognizable songs such as "Te lo pido de rodillas" "Y te has quedado sola", "Chiquilina" "Soy un Mamarracho" "Rio Verde", "Tu me diste amor, tu me diste fe", "Cada noche mia", "Me estas matando" and "Y me quede en el bar". In 1972, the band performed at the Viña del Mar festival in Chile and it's one of their most successful performances in their history.

Every year they released an album, in some cases even two, it was in this decade that the band decided to compose their own songs with a more original style. On this decade, they released a total of six albums with instrumental songs such as "Tango Joven" with Eduardo Franco writing and singing "Él Ultimo Café". They did also released, EPs, mini plays and 45s singles, such as "Por eso, estoy preso". On this decade, most of the songwriting was thanks to the creative input of Eduardo Franco, Hugo Burgueño, Leonardo Franco and Juan Carlos Velázquez, product of this was songs such as "Y me quedé en el bar", "cada noche mía" "Como pretendes que te quiera", y "Fue una fábula".

1980s

At the beginning of the 80s, the band appeared on the argentinian film "Locos por la música" along with other musicians like Boney M, singing the song from their 1979 LP "Tu me diste amor, tu me diste fe" "Esa Esquina". 1981 brought success with the LP "Tormenta de verano" and in 1982 with their LP "40 Grados", and the song from the same name of the album, was also recorded in portuguese, they also re-released the 1978 song "Pasión y vida" and the 1979 song "Tu me diste amor, tu me diste fe" for the portuguese market.

1983, brought more success with the album "Los Iracundos" also named "Aprontate a vivir", 1984, they released the album "Tú con Él" most of the songs composed mainly by Eduardo Franco, also there was another hit with the song "Las Puertas del Olvido", being a hit on United States and also on many Latin American countries".

1985, saw their relationship with the record company RCA victor, coming to the end, being with them since the early 60s, the last album for the company was a compilation called "20 Grandes éxitos" with five new songs. On March from that year, with the advise and organization from bass player, Hugo Burgueño they visit Bolivia, and many parts of the country and also playing at the Calama Song Festival in Chile.

In 1986, now with the record company Microfonon Argentina they released "Iracundos 86" after successful tours, with songs like "Me voy o me quedo" and "Pedazo de papel". Also a compilation was released which was "Historia de los Iracundos". On a tour on United States, Burgueño did not continue, because he needed to deal with internal and personal problems, he then left the band.

The following year, saw the last album they released with lead singer, Eduardo Franco and the first one without Burgueño which was titled "Eduardo Franco y sus Iracundos", Franco was the unquestionable voice from the band, little they know the rest of the band members, could never replace him, the album contained songs that were modest hit, mostly on Latin America like "Por que me hiciste trampa" and "Dime quíen".

On April, 3rd, 1988, the band made their last appearance with Franco, on their native Paysandú, on the denominated "Beer Festival, in spanish "Él Festival de la Cerveza".

A February,1st, 1989, Franco died at his home at Paysadú, from Hodgkinks Lymphoma at the age of 45, with his passing, one of the most beloved voices and charismatic from Latin america turned off it's light forever, it was the beginning of the end, of one the most successful bands of Hispanic music.

1990s

After, Franco's death, the rest of the band members without Burgueño, released a new album with songs composed mainly by Franco called "Iracundos 1990", in 1992, keyboardist Jesús Febrero leaves the group and in November from the same year, rhythm guitar player, Juan Bosco Zabalo died from heart problems at the Concepción de Uruguay Hospital, before his death, he was living at Entre Ríos, Argentina.

By 1994, the group was reduced just to Eduardo Franco's brother, Leonardo and Juan Carlos Velázquez, so they hired,Jorge Gatto as their new lead singer, they released new album with songs again composed mainly by Eduardo Franco, providing the modest hit "Con la misma moneda", which helped to revive their careers, they also participated at the 26th Edition of the Iberoamerican Song at Quito, Ecuador in 1996, also releasing the song "Quiero estrenar el amor contigo" composed by Eduardo Franco, which proved to be a minor success.

In 1997, record company BMG-Argentina, re-released on digital forms the bands's original studio albums from 1963 to 1987, with the approval of Hugo Burgueño who had the rights of the band's name.

In 1999, the band released which prove to be their last album, till to date, which was remake of many of their classical hits, with the vocals of Gatto, the band from that point, decided only to focus on live performances mainly in Latin America and some parts of Europe.

2000s

Jesús Febrero, the band's original keyboardist, who later left the band and tour with his band, dubbed "Los Iracundos de Febro" died at his home on August 2nd, 2003. Four years later on 2007, Leonardo decided to join Febro's band, with drummer Velázquez, the only member of the original line up, he decides to tour in his own, as well Hugo Burgueño, who toured with his son, Lucas, who sang and wrote as well material for an album called "Seguimos Cantando" along with his father. As well other material like "Disco Azul" and "Según pasen los años" which consisted of covers of other artists.

On December 1st, 2015, on a tour on Guatemala with Los Iracundos de Febro, Leonardo died from an cardiac arrest at the hotel from the central american country.

To this date

There may be no more, the original "Iracundos", but the magic of their songs, and the passionate and rich voice from Leonardo Franco is still there, they are still the band who were called "Primeros en América" and their legacy lives on. Juan Carlos Velazquez, still tours to this date with an backing band, and with the name "Los Iracundos", the members consist of Manuel Paz (Vocals), Richard La Nasa (Guitar), Diego Insua (Keyboard) and Andres Archundia (Bass)

References


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