Los Chalchaleros

Often credited with helping popularize traditional music from the northwestern region of the country, Argentine folklore music group Los Chalchaleros formed in 1947 in the city of Salta. They took their name from the chalchalero bird, a species native to the Andean region of Argentina that is known for its melodious singing. Even though the group was founded by Aldo Saravia, Víctor Zambrano, Juan Carlos Saravia, and Carlos Franco Sosa, Los Chalchaleros have gone through several lineup changes throughout their career, showcasing the talents of musicians such as Dicky Dávalos (1950-1967), Pancho Figueroa (1967-2002), Polo Román (1966-2002), Ernesto Cabeza (1953-1980), and Facundo Saravia (1983-2002). Shortly after forming, the four-piece became known in their native Salta for their renditions of Argentine folklore classics such as "Lloraré," "El Arriero," and "Zamba de Vargas." Los Chalchaleros spent the next few years honing in their distinctive sound on releases such as ¡Adentro! (1962), For Export (1964), Recordando Zambas con Los Chalchaleros (1965), and Nuestro Folklore en Hollywood (1965), which contained a cover of the standard "Zamba de mi Esperanza." In 1968, the group offered a legendary performance at the iconic Cosquín Festival, taking home the grand prize. Over the following decades, Los Chalchaleros achieved widespread fame not just in their home country but also at a regional level, becoming one of Argentina's finest musical exports and touring relentlessly throughout Latin America. Todos Somos Chalchaleros, their final album, was released in 2000 and featured guest spots by Joan Manuel Serrat, Mercedes Sosa, Alberto Cortez, Jairo, and Horacio Guarany. Los Chalchaleros disbanded in 2002, but their legacy was honored through the release of several compilations in the ensuing years, including 2013's 50 Años de Leyenda, a comprehensive collection of their biggest hits that included songs like "La Nochera," "Merceditas," and "Viene Clareando."