Los Lobos to energize the Clarion on Feb.
From their timeless classic hit “La Bamba” to their latest CD “Tin Can Trust” to their feature on the soundtrack for Rango, the animated comedy featuring Johnny Depp, the multiple Grammy Award-winning band Los Lobos has been redefining the sound of popular music for almost four decades.
On Friday, Feb. 3, Los Lobos will bring their unique sound to Lake Jackson with a performance at The Clarion at Brazosport College.
This Mexican-American, roots-rock group’s distinctive sound draws equally from rock, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues and traditional Spanish and Mexican music. Their music never sounds forced or self-conscious. Instead, all of their influences become one graceful, gritty sound.
More than three decades have passed since Los Lobos released their debut album, “Just Another Band from East L.A.” Since then, they’ve repeatedly disproven that title — Los Lobos isn’t “just another” anything, but rather a band that has consistently evolved artistically while never losing sight of their humble roots.
One of the most momentous events in Los Lobos’ history arrived in 1987, when the band was tapped to cover “La Bamba,” the Mexican folk standard that had been transformed into a rock and roll classic in 1958 when it was recorded by the ill-fated 17-year-old Ritchie Valens. Valens, the first Chicano rock star, was catapulted to legendary status the following year when he died in a plane crash along with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper and it was a natural choice that Los Lobos be asked to remake his signature hit for the forthcoming biopic of the same name. Little did anyone suspect that the remake would spring to number one on the charts.
A rare example of longevity in a volatile music world that stresses style over substance, Los Lobos’ lineup has remained uninterrupted since 1984, when saxophonist/keyboardist Steve Berlin joined original members Louie Pérez, David Hidalgo, Cesar Rosas and Conrad Lozano, each of whom had been there since the beginning in 1973.
Los Lobos will take the Clarion stage at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and BC employees and $25 for students.
To learn more about Los Lobos, visit their Web site at www.loslobos.org For concert tickets, call the Clarion box office at (979) 230-3156 or go to clarion.brazosport.edu.