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Artist Bios
Malo Bio
Malo:
"Suavecito" to Latin Legends
by Mark Guerrero
Malo is one of the most successful
and enduring Latin rock bands in the world. This year, 2003, they’re
celebrating their 31st anniversary. Their biggest hit, “Suavecito”
reached number 18 on the Billboard charts in April of 1972. They’ve
played all over the world and have performed on the bill with the
Rolling Stones and Queen. Malo has at least ten albums to their
credit and continue to tour. In 1997, along with Tierra and El
Chicano, they recorded a live album called “Latin Legends Live.” The
three bands have toured extensively since as “Latin Legends.”
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get the story of Malo, it begins with lead singer Arcelio
Garcia. Arcelio was born in Puerto Rico and moved to San
Francisco with his family when he was three years old. When he
was a teenager, some friends of his had a singing group and
asked him to sing with them because their baritone had gone into
the army. Arcelio didn’t know if he could sing, but said he’d
give it a shot. He found that he liked it and started to learn
from his more experienced friends. One day a car drove by while
Arcelio was singing on the sidewalk with his group. The driver
told Arcelio he liked his voice and asked him if he would join
his band. Arcelio checked it out and joined the band called the
Malibus, named after the sporty Chevrolet. They went on to
become a very well known and popular band in the Bay area in the
mid-sixties. At first they played mainly r&b, but later started
to add Latin music to the mix. Three or four years into the
career of the Malibus, a guitarist was brought in by the name of
Jorge Santana, the brother of the already famous Carlos Santana.
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In 1970 the Malibus changed their name to Malo and things started
happening. By 1971, they were signed to Warner Brothers Records and
recorded their first album, which was simply entitled "Malo"
(BS-2584). Arcelio co-wrote four of the six songs, including their
classics "Nena" and "Cafe." Released in 1972, "Malo" also included
“Suavecito," which had evolved from a song they had written and been
doing in clubs called “My Love.” One of the band members at the
time, Richard Bean, wrote a new lyric which gave birth to a major
hit record. Malo members Pablo Tellez and Abel Zarate also got
credit for the composition. “Suavecito” led to world tours and laid
the groundwork for their career of three decades so far. The members
on the first album were: Arcelio Garcia, lead vocals; Jorge Santana,
lead guitar; Abel Zarate, lead guitar, vocals; Pablo Tellez, bass;
Richard Spremich, drums; Richard Kermode, keyboards; Luis Gasca,
trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals; and Roy Murray, 2nd trumpet, trombone,
flute and sax. Guest musicians included Coke Escovedo, timbales;
Victor Pantoja, congas; and Richard Bean, timbales and lead vocal on
"Suavecito." Malo has always had a "melting pot" of an ethnic mix,
with Chicanos, Anglos, and people of Puerto Rican, Nicaraguan, and
Philippino descent.
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Later
in 1972, Warner Brothers released Malo's second album, "Dos" (BS
2652), followed by "Evolution" (BS 2702) in 1973. In 1974,
Arcelio was incorrectly diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver.
It turned out to be yellow jaundice, but he was unable to sing
for a year. This was the period when Little Willie G., formerly
of Thee Midniters of East L.A., came in and became lead singer
for Malo. Willie did one album entitled “Ascención” (BS 2769)
and toured with the band. This album was Malo's last with Warner
Brothers. Back in good health, Arcelio, who owns the Malo name
and logo, moved to New York and started a new Malo. This
resulted in the release of Malo V in 1981. Arcelio then came
back to the west coast, where he has been based ever since. In
1986, Malo had an album called "Coast To Coast" on the Blue
Heron label. "Señorita" was released on GNP Crescendo Records in
1995. In 1997, two live albums were issued, "Malo Rocks the
Rockies," on an independent label, and "Latin Legends Live," on
Thump Records, featuring Malo, Tierra, and El Chicano. |
It was recorded live at The Hop in Puente Hills and it has sold very
well, according to Arcelio. Malo has gone through many personell
changes over the years, but Arcelio is the one constant. Jorge
Santana, played with Malo for three or four years in the early 70s.
Since then he’s had his own bands and has performed often with his
brother, Carlos. He's also had albums out, including 1978's "Jorge
Santana" and 1979's "It's All About Love," both on Tomato Records.
In 1994, Jorge was on an album with Carlos and their nephew, Carlos
Hernandez, entitled "The Santana Brothers" on Island Records. In the
last several years Jorge plays often with Malo. In fact, he just
performed with Malo last weekend, on March 29, 2003 at the Star
Plaza Theater in Merrillville, Indiana.
Malo's current lineup includes: Arcelio Garcia, lead vocals; Julian
Molina, bass; David George, drums; Gabriel Manzo, lead guitar; Jay
Rossette, 2nd lead guitar; Daniel Cervantes, keyboards; Frank
Bailey, lead trumpet; Pete Rodriguez, trumpet; Steve Rocha,
trombone; Gibby Ross, timbales; and Tony Menjivar, congas. Another
addition to the current Malo is Arcelio’s son, Octaviano, who’s an
excellent singer and performer in his own right. He and Arcelio work
very well together. My band, Mark Guerrero & Radio Aztlán, performed
twice on the bill with Malo in 2002. The first time at the Galaxy
Theater in Santa Ana, California and the second at The Hop in Puente
Hills, California. Believe me, the current Malo is great and can
rock the house. Their music ranges from romantic ballads to high
energy Latin grooves. I met Arcelio at the second concert at The Hop
and spoke to him about doing this article. I'm also on an album with
Malo called "The Chicano Alliance" on Our Town Records (1998), which
includes my songs "On the Boulevard" and "Rosalie" and Malo's "Lady
I Love."
Malo has given back to the community by doing many benefits for
schools and other good causes over the years. They recently raised
$35,000 to refurbish public baseball fields for Latino teams in the
bay area. Arcelio is also proud of the fact that some of Malo’s
music, including two songs he co-wrote, “Nena” and “Cafe,” are in
college music text books. He jokingly says that was the only way he
was going to get to college. In 1999, longtime Malo members Gabe
Manzo and Tony Menjivar formed a faith based band. Since Malo means
“bad,” they named their band, Bueno, which means “good.” The bands
Malo and Bueno have a close connection, but are separate entities
and completely different in the mission and purpose of their music.
Arcelio, who became a Christian about three years ago, occasionally
sings with Bueno, but is not a regular member. Speaking of good, a
few years ago, the band Sugar Ray recorded a hit song called "Every
Morning," which used the vocal hook from "Suavecito." Unlike many
other artists, Malo did not have to go to court to get their share.
Everything was handled properly up front. It turns out, Sugar Ray's
lead singer, Mark McGrath, had seen Malo play at a car show when he
was a kid. McGrath was taken to the show by his father, who was as
big Malo fan and loved the song "Suavecito."
Malo has some reissue collections available. GNP Crescendo
Records released “The Best of Malo” (GNPD 2205) in 1991 and
Rhino Records issued a boxed set called “Celebración!,” which
includes Malo’s first four albums. Also, Malo's 1995 CD on GNP
Crescendo Records, "Señorita," (GNPD 2244) is still available on
the net at: www.gnpcrescendo.com. As for the future, Malo will
be back in the studio in two weeks to record a brand new album
on Arcelio’s new label, Olam, which is Malo backwards. They’re
also doing a dvd with VH1, which will include clips of various
television appearances Malo did in the early 70s such as, Don
Kirshner’s Rock Concert, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, and
“The Midnight Special.” VH1’s cameras will also follow Malo
around on tour for the dvd. |
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This article is based on an
audiotaped telephone interview by Mark Guerrero with Arcelio Garcia
on March 28, 2003.
from
www.malomusic.com
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