The renowned Latin blues-rock band Los Lobos returns to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College on Friday, Jan. 19, touring in promotion of the release of the new, full length studio album, Gates of Gold. Special guest Garrett LeBeau opens the show at 7:30 p.m.
Los Lobos may be most widely known for the hit "La Bamba," but the band continues to reign as one of the world's most innovative and critically acclaimed groups, nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
As Rolling Stone magazine wrote, ".with the exception of U2, no other band has stayed on top of its game as long as Los Lobos."
Formed in the mid-1970s, Los Lobos began as a traditional acoustic Mexican group. Under the influence of L.A.'s '80s punk rock scene, however, the members decided to go electric, thus incorporating blues, R&B, Latin, jazz and rock influences into a more energized sound.
In 1987, Los Lobos achieved widespread fame creating the soundtrack for the movie La Bamba, a story about the life and tragic end of Mexican-American pop star Richie Valenz.
Over the years the band has continued to write and release ground-breaking music. With Gates of Gold, the first collection of new songs since 2010, the band offers music that is characteristically dynamic and eclectic, with thoughtful, darkly romantic and spiritual lyrics enhanced by slow burning blues rock, impressionistic soul and traditional Mexican folk music.
Never heavy-handed with politics or agendas, Los Lobos is said to subtly challenge its fans with conscience-raising songs and thought-provoking lyrics. A biography of the band, "Dream in Blue" has recently been released by University of Texas Press.
Los Lobos band members (still) are: Louie Perez (drums, guitars, percussion, vocals); Steve Berlin (saxophone, percussion, flute, midsax, harmonica, melodica); Cesar Rosas (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Conrad Lozano (bass, guitarron, vocals); David Hidalgo (vocals, guitar, accordion, percussion, bass, keyboards, melodica, drums, violin, banjo); Enrique "Bugs" Gonzalez (drums/percussion).
Entering a fifth decade, the band continues to harken back to its beginnings as "the soundtrack of the barrio" and remains a cultural touchstone for a community.
Special guest Garrett LeBeau was born and raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation near Lander, Wyo., and is an enrolled member of the Shoshone Indian Tribe. During his youth, the "blues" with "soul" spoke to him, and since that time he has endeavored to create music with a spirit about life and the trials of the working man. Rise to the Grind is LeBeau's debut album.
Tickets for Los Lobos with special guest Garrett LeBeau are $39, $49 and $54.
Tickets are available online at www.durangoconcerts.com, or call 247-7657, or visit the Ticket Office inside the Durango Welcome Center at Eighth Street and Main Avenue in downtown Durango. Ticket office hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. All sales are final.
The Community Concert Hall is a not-for-profit, multi-use performance venue located on the campus of Fort Lewis College. Its ability to bring a diverse spectrum of shows to Southwest Colorado is made possible through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and through financial and in-kind contributions from generous members of the community.
