Representative Songs: "Capricho Maldito", "Como Fui a Enamorarme de Ti", "Chaparrita de Mi Vida
Biography
Since the '80s, los Rieleros del Norte have been one of the top bands in traditional Mexican music. Their specialty is norteño, an exuberant, often sentimental style that is also known as conjunto or Tex-Mex. Norteño is the Spanish word for "northern" and Mexicans refer to norteño/conjunto as "musica del norte" (music of the north) because it was created north of the Mexican border -- Texas, to be exact. Those who aren't into Mexican music may not be familiar with terms like norteño, conjunto, or ranchero, but anyone who has spent time in Texas, California, Arizona, or any other place that has a large Mexican population has no doubt heard the distinctive, instantly recognizable Tex-Mex sound (which is known for its polka beat and use of the accordion). All over Mexico and the southwestern United States, norteño, conjunto, and ranchero music is extremely popular, and those places are where los Rieleros del Norte has the largest fan base. While mariachi was created south of the Mexican border, norteño is very much a product of the Mexican-American experience. When German immigrants moved to southern Texas in the 20th century, they brought their polka beat with them -- and when Mexican-Americans combined that beat with Mexican influences (especially the ranchero music of Northern Mexico), the hybrid Tex-Mex sound was born. It was a sound that owed something to the dance music of Berlin and Munich, as well as traditional Mexican ranchero standards like "Alla en el Rancho Grande." In the '40s and '50s, norteño's popularity spread all over the southwestern U.S. and Mexico; the Tex-Mex beat became as popular in Acapulco, Guadalajara, Tijuana, and Mexico City as it became in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. By the time bassist Manolo Morales founded los Rieleros del Norte in Pecos, TX, in 1979, norteño had long since come to be considered traditional rather than cutting-edge. But even though los Rieleros were never innovative or groundbreaking, they came to be regarded as major experts in their field. When Tex-Mex fans want to hear norteño/conjunto music that is expertly done, they know that los Rieleros del Norte are reliable, dependable, and impressively consistent. In fact, the band has come to be touted as "la Máquina Musical Norteña Número Uno," which means "the Number One Northern Musical Machine." Like many norteño acts, los Rieleros have favored the traditional vacaro (Mexican cowboy) look; it has been said that a true Tex-Mex musician never leaves home without his cowboy hat (as opposed to a sombrero) and a pair of shiny, well-polished cowboy boots. It is important to know that even though the type of norteño music that los Rieleros embrace is often called conjunto, not every Latin group that uses the word conjunto (which means "band" in Spanish) in its name has a Tex-Mex sound. There are plenty of salsa, tropical, and Afro-Cuban bands that include the word conjunto in their name; for example, el Conjunto Clasico is a well-known Puerto Rican salsa band that doesn't sound anything like the norteño/Tex-Mex music of los Rieleros and similar combos such as los Bravos del Norte, los Tigres del Norte, el Conjunto Bernal, and los Huracanes del Norte. Los Rieleros recorded their first album in 1980 and went on to build a sizable catalog in the '80s and '90s; after extensively recording for Joey International, they went to Fonovisa. Along the way, they have had countless hits; "Amor Prohibido," "No le Digas a Nadie," "En la Puerta de Esa Casa," "Una Aventura," "Me Lo Contaron Ayer," and "Copa Sin Vino" are among the many Rieleros singles that were played extensively on Mexican radio. One of their biggest hits was 1999's "Te Quiero Mucho," which reached number one on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart. In addition to founder/bassist Morales, members of the band have included Daniel Esquivel (accordion, vocals), Alfredo Esquivel (drums), Javier Rivera, and Pemo Gonzales. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Los Rieleros Del Norte' is a Mexicannorteño band. Founded in the southwestern U.S. town of Pecos, Texas 1979 by Manolo Morales, Los Rieleros del Norte is one of the oldest norteño bands still playing today (Los Tigres del Norte,Los Huracanes del Norte,and Conjunto Rio Grande have been around longer). The bands name, "Los Rieleros" was made because some members worked at the railroads of Chihuahua, Mexico. Unlike many other norteño bands, the Rieleros del Norte use both the saxophone and accordion in their music, creating a dual-instrument hybrid distinct from other norteño bands. All original members of the band are natives of Ojinaga, Chihuahua, a town from where many other saxophone-norteño bands have come from. The Band now resides in El Paso, Texas
Currently, the band's leader is Daniel Esquivel. The band's current members are Daniel Esquivel, lead singer; Daniel Esquivel Jr., playing the accordion; Javier Esquivel, electric bass; Alfredo Esquivel, drummer; Eugenio "Pemo" González , saxophone player; Rogelio Martinez Bajo Sexto and Joe Esquivel Bajo Sexto. ((Pemo is not from Ojinaga, he was born in Fresnillo, Zac. Mexico!))In the past, Polo Urías was the band's lead singer, who has left Los Rieleros to start his own musical group, Polo Urías y su Maquina Norteña. Several years ago, the Rieleros ensemble had two bajo sexto players, one of which was the band's founder, Manolo Morales. Manolo the founder of the band has since left and began another band, los Rieles. Los Rieleros del Norte have also helped begin a new band called La Maquinaria Nortena which feature 3 former members of the Polo Urias band.
Los Rieleros del Norte have recorded many albums across the years. They include Estampida Norteña, Prieta Orgullosa, Aventura Pasada, and many other albums which have now become classics in regional Mexican music. Among their many songs, "El Columpio", "Te Quiero Mucho." "Amor Prohibido," "No le Digas a Nadie," "En la Puerta de Esa Casa," "Una Aventura," and "Copa Sin Vino" are just some of their many singles which have topped the Mexican music billboards. Sobre los Rieles was released in September 2004, featuring the hit "Tu Nuevo Cariñito". In July 2005, Que el Mundo Ruede was released as the Rieleros' newest album. In 2006 Siempre Imitado Jamas Igualado was released featuring the song Voy a llorar por ti, and in June 26, 2007 their new album Ven Y Dime 25 anos was released featuring the single Un Juego. On May 27, 2008 a new release of their latest work will be out featuring A punto de llorar which has already hit the radio and making a huge hit
The actual founder and the person that named the band was not Manolo Morales like it is described above. He so claims and has also gone to court to obtain the name of Los Rieleros del Norte. It will soon be known who the actual person that founded this group is.
While there are many speculations as to who founded the group, both the current leader Daniel Esquivel and Manolo Morales know exactly who the founder or better yet, who actually came up with the name of the group. While this unnamed person has not wanted to go to court over rightful ownership of the name, both parties have acknowledged that the person that founded the group is Manuel"Meño" Lujan, also of Pecos. Both Daniel Esquivel and Manolo Morales in a morning radio show called "Piolin por la mañana" agreed that Manuel Lujan is the original founder of this band. To both their fortune, Manuel has not wanted to get involved in the legal matters of this, however, the truth will be known soon...to everyone, legally, and the fans. On the court of law in the United States in El Paso, Texas a Federal Judge gave all rights to Daniel Esquivel (lead singer of Los Rieleros) making him the rightful owner of the group and prohibiting Manolo Morales any type of connection to Los Rieleros. For a short time Manolo began using the name of the group fooling many people in turn for his own wealth. Daniel Esquivel says he will continue to play for the people with the quality that the fans want with no more interruptions or fraudulent acts from other sources. In early 2009 after 7 years of dispute of who the rightful owner will be, The Mexican side of this dispute also agreed that Daniel Esquivel, singer of the original group is the rightful owner and immediately forces Manolo, the owner of Los Rieles to stop using the naming rights of Los Rieleros and cannot sing any songs recorded from 2002 and forward. This battle now ends and gives Daniel Esquivel full ownership of the original Los Rieleros Del Norte in the United States and Mexico. Furthermore Daniel Esquivel in a press conference states that he is willing to give Manolo and his crew a job with a different name for the group of course and is willing to help them record a cd. A list of the cities that the Original Rieleros del Norte will be in can be found at Los Rieleros Del Norte Official Website