Los Plebeyos

Los Plebeyos, led by founder, vocalist and songwriter Frederico Caballero Chavez are considered pioneers of the modern Mexican cumbia sound, although they also played corridos and romanticos. Founded in 1977 in Nuevo Leon, they were an integral part of a scene that included Los Cadetes de Linares, La Verbena Popular, and El Gran Silence, all of whom helped usher in the fusion of tropical and norteño styles. Though the lineup changed often over three decades, Chavez's writing and singing were the hallmark of recognition for the award-winning group, allowing the band the profile to continue recording (for Fonovisia throughout their entire career, almost unheard of Latin music) and touring from the mid-'80s to the late '90s. His songs have been covered by many other artists, some of whom registered hits with them. Los Plebeyos' own hits include "Hola Que Tal" b/w "El Papucho Guayabita (Contestación Pipiripau)," "Vamonos al Baile" b/w "Carnavaleando," and "El Chin Chin" b/w "No Te Dejan," all released in the '80s. Of their albums, 1986's Hola Que Tal and Diferente peaked in the Top Ten on the Mexican Regional Albums chart, while 1994's Regreso del Zancudo Loco, 1996's Bailazo Tropical, and 2002's Pachanga Tropical (number 66 at Top Latin Albums) are all considered classics and inseparable entities in the tropical/cumbia canons. Los Plebeyos split in 2004. ~ Thom Jurek