Los Chicos
| Los Chicos | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Puerto Rico |
| Genres | Pop rock |
| Years active | 1978–1984 |
| Associated acts | Chayanne, Giro, Sergio Blass |
Los Chicos (also known as Los Chicos de Puerto Rico) were a popular boy band in Puerto Rico, South America and in Central America, created to rival Menudo's success.
The band was created by Eric Laboy in 1978 to 1985, with the name Encuentro. Due to a political campaign slogan, the name was changed to Los Chicos, which translates to The Kids. They enjoyed huge success during the early 1980s, particularly in Puerto Rico South America and Central America. A movie (Conexión Caribe) was filmed and a TV show hosted weekly on Puerto Rico's WAPA-TV. Many songs, including Puerto Rico son Los Chicos, Vuelve, Ave María and Mamma Mia sung by Jorge Lopez aka Giro Lopez or Giro became radio favorites, and memorabilia items like posters were mass-produced. Los Chicos became national sponsors for Malta Corona and Mahones Savage (Savage Jeans).
In October 1983, three of the original members, Ray, Migue and Chayanne, quit the group, alleging poor working conditions. Chayanne became a solo artist and released his first album in 1984. Carlos Alfonso took over the new group with original member Hector Antonio "Tony" Ocasio and three new group members (Tico Santana, Jorge Lopez aka Giro Lopez or Giro, and Alejandro Rodriguez). However, this version did not have as much of the acceptance from the public as the first group of boys, and finally the band was dissolved. While it never achieved Menudo's level of popularity, it gave them a run for their money in Puerto Rico and Latin American countries, especially Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panamá. During a televised concert in the Dominican Republic, Los Chicos had to abandon the stage because of fans reaching it. [1]
After break-up
Los Chicos' most popular members were Chayanne (now an international super-star), Jorge Lopez aka Giro or Giro Lopez (was signed to Sony Music and has had a long term relationship with the label as a Salsa artist with over 10 albums, many gold records and a Grammy Nomination, Giro is still performing and is still very popular as a Salsa artist and has released new albums with other labels, in 2010 he created Giro Productions and with the help of Chino Rodriguez now his manager and record label, has released the latest Album "Todavia Hay Amor" on OMG records and Giro Productions, Migue Santa (now an helicopter pilot), Tony Ocasio and Rey Díaz. Currently Rey is working as a Sales Executive in a prominent firm at Puerto Rico. Future Menudo member Sergio Blass was a member of Los Chicos for a short period of time, he was the only singer to be a member of both Los Chicos and Menudo.
In the aftermath of the success achieved by six former Menudos in a comeback nicknamed El Reencuentro, some former members of Los Chicos spoke about making a comeback too. They had one concert, as 'Los Chicos-El Retorno". [2] Chayanne did not participate in it.
In August 2012, Los Chicos released their tell all book named "Los Chicos ~ Mil Recuerdos Sus Historias" written by Joana Acevedo Ocasio with the help of her spouse Tony Ocasio (Original lead singer of Los Chicos) and original group members Rey Diaz and Migue Santa. The book recounts their experiences as members of the famous boy band, how they reached stardom and lost it all to mismanagement. Upcoming book tour in Early 2013.
Los Chicos Mil Recuerdos Sus Historias
Members
- Chayanne (Elmer Figueroa Arce)
- Migue (Jose Miguel Santa)
- Ray (Reynaldo Diaz)
- Tony (Hector Antonio Ocasio)
- Alex (Alejandro Jose Rodriguez)
- Tico (Fredrick Contreras Santana)
- Giro (Jorge Manuel Lopez)
- Caccito (Alejandro Farinacci Fontecha)
- Sergio (Sergio Gonzalez Ojeda), later known as Sergio Blass.
Discography
- 1980 Para Amar [Original Members: Chayanne, Ray Diaz, Migue Santa and Tony Ocasio]
- 1982 Puerto Rico [Original Members]
- 1983 Viva el Amor [Original Members]
- 1983 Bailando [Original Members]
- 1985 Conexion Caribe [New Members: Tico Santana, Jorge Lopez and Alejandro Rodriguez)
References
http://www.boysoloist.com/artist.asp?VID=916 Los Chicos Discography
Los Chicos Mil Recuerdos Sus Historias (The Book)
Joana Acevedo Ocasio - CoAuthor on Los Chicos Mil Recuerdos Sus Historias