Memphis La Blusera

Argentine blues and jazz rock band Memphis la Blusera was formed in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Floresta in 1978. Led by vocalist Adrián Otero, bass player Daniel Beiserman, and saxophonist Emilio Villanueva, the group rose to national prominence with a combination of working-class wit and a sound influenced by classic blues artists such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker. After making the rounds in Buenos Aires’ underground live music circuit, Memphis la Blusera released their studio debut Alma Bajo la Lluvia in 1983. Medias Negras, their breakthrough album, appeared in 1988 and thrust them into the spotlight thanks to songs like “La Bifurcada” and “Montón de Nada,” which have since become staples of the Argentine rock songbook. They continued their rapid ascent to stardom with classic albums like the Calamaro-produced Tonto Rompecabezas (1989), Memphis la Blusera (1991), Nunca Tuve Tanto Blues (1994), and Cosa de Hombres (1995), which was certified gold in their native Argentina. During this time, they also fulfilled their dream of performing alongside longtime heroes B.B. King, Taj Mahal, and Albert King—a show that was documented on the 1994 live LP Memphis en Vivo. The band experienced a sudden surge in popularity in 2001 after the release of their eighth studio album Angelitos Culones, which help them win the Best Rock Band category at the 2002 Carlos Gardel Awards. This success was followed by another live LP titled Teatro Colón (2003), recorded at the mythical Buenos Aires theatre with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional. Following the release of the albums 25° Aniversario (2004) and …Etc. (2005), lead singer Adrián Otero left the group in 2008 to pursue a solo career while Beiserman and Villanueva continued performing under the name Viejos Lobos. Adrián Otero passed away in 2012 after suffering a car accident. That same year, the rest of the founding members decided to resume the project with a renewed lineup as a tribute to Otero, releasing the album Siempre in 2014.