The Angeles Azules are a renowned Mexican cumbia band that has been active since the 1970s. They hail from the city of Iztapalapa, which is located in Mexico City. The band is famous for their upbeat cumbia music and colorful live performances. In this article, we will explore the origins and background of the Angeles Azules in more detail.
The Early Days in Iztapalapa
The Angeles Azules were formed in Iztapalapa, Mexico City in 1976. Iztapalapa is a large borough on the eastern side of Mexico City with a population of around 2 million residents. It has a strong working class identity and lively cultural scene. Many famous Mexican bands and artists have come from the borough over the years.
The original members of the Angeles Azules were brothers Alfredo, José, and Raúl Vallejo León, along with their cousin Felipe Vallejo and Vicente Macías. They started out playing small local venues and parties, blending cumbia music from Colombia with the local rhythms of Mexico City. Their upbeat, danceable sound quickly gained popularity in theworking class neighborhoods of Iztapalapa and other parts of Mexico City.
In the late 1970s, the Angeles Azules started gaining more widespread fame across Mexico. They released their self-titled debut album in 1977 and soon became regulars on Mexican radio stations. Their second album “El Fenomeno” from 1978 was a major breakthrough that ended up selling over 200,000 copies. It included their signature hit “Nunca Voy a Olvidarte” which is still one of their most popular songs today.
Rising Success in the 1980s
During the 1980s, the Angeles Azules cemented themselves as one of the top cumbia bands in Mexico and Latin America. They toured extensively and released a string of successful albums that showcased their formula of catchy melodies, bouncy rhythms, and bright horn arrangements.
Some of their major albums from this decade include “Por Ti Baby” (1980), “En La Tormenta” (1983), and “Las Cumbias Que Nos Gustan” (1984). Their music also started incorporating more elements of rock, ska, and pop as they strived to evolve their signature cumbia sound.
The Angeles Azules became iconic fixtures on Mexican radio and earned several hit singles like “Macarena” (1980), “El Listón de Tu Pelo” (1983), and “Amigo Mío” (1985). They performed to packed crowds across Mexico’s network of festivals, carnivals, and community concerts.
By the late 1980s, the Angeles Azules were firmly established as Mexico’s top cumbia band with a distinctive musical identity and highly visual live performances featuring matching costumes. They ended the decade at the height of their popularity in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries.
Continued Acclaim in the 1990s and Beyond
The Angeles Azules successfully sustained their popularity through the 1990s and into the 21st century. They continued releasing new music and reinventing their cumbia sound with elements of salsa, bolero, and other Latin genres. Their albums kept charting and their concerts kept selling out.
Some of their major hits over the past few decades include “El Listón de Tu Pelo” (1990), “Mis Sentimientos” (2003), “17 Años” (2008), and “Fiesta en el Barrio” (2013). Their ability to refresh their sound while staying true to their cumbia roots has been a key factor in their longevity.
The band’s current line-up still includes founding members Alfredo and Raúl Vallejo along with Miguel Angel Vallejo, Luis Gutiérrez, Israel Melgar Esperanza, and Erick Rubin. They continue releasing new music, including their 2017 album “Ayer y Hoy” which contains new cumbias and updated versions of their classics.
After over 40 years performing together, the Angeles Azules are now revered as legends of contemporary cumbia music. They have received multiple lifetime achievement awards and Latin Grammy nominations. Their shows draw enthusiastic crowds of old and new fans alike.
The Angeles Azules’ Legacy
The Angeles Azules have left a lasting mark on Latin music, especially the cumbia genre. Some of their key contributions include:
- Bringing cumbia music from Colombia to Mexico and blending it with local styles
- Helping popularize cumbia among the working class communities of Mexico City
- Earning recognition for tropical music from Iztapalapa and other marginalized areas of Mexico
- Inspiring future generations of Mexican cumbia bands
- Modernizing cumbia music by adding rock, pop, and salsa elements
- Amassing an extensive catalogue of hits spanning over 40 years
- Developing a signature colorful aesthetic in their costumes and live shows
- Performing tirelessly across Mexico and Latin America to spread cumbia music
While the Angeles Azules originated in Iztapalapa, their popularity has now spread across Mexico and Latin America. Over four decades, they have kept the spirit of fiesta alive through their uplifting music and energetic concerts. Even as they have evolved their sound, they have stayed true to their musical roots in the working class neighborhoods of Mexico City.
Conclusion
For over 40 years, the Angeles Azules have been synonymous with cumbia music in Mexico and beyond. Their origins trace back to the Dynamic tape-recorded band arrived on the scene in the late 1960s and early 1970s with their rough-edged psychedelic rock. They gained a devoted following in Mexico City’s underground music scene and through their powerful live performances.
Albums like “Angels Dust” and “Welcome to the Jungle” captured the raw energy of the group and presented a harsher, darker take on rock music. Lead singer Mike Patton’s eccentric voice and onstage antics added to the band’s aggressive and confrontational style. Their intense, heavy sound presaged later metal and grunge bands.
While often controversial for their offensive lyrics and bizarre theatrics, Faith No More had a big influence on many genres. They helped inspire nu metal groups like Korn and Limp Bizkit. Later albums like “King for a Day” and “Album of the Year” incorporated more pop, funk, and hip-hop. This demonstrated their versatility across different styles.
After initially breaking up in 1998, Faith No More eventually reunited in 2009 for live performances. However, they have not produced any new studio albums. Their unique legacy as pioneers of alternative and experimental rock continues to live on through those they have influenced and inspired over the decades.