Eduardo “Lalo” Guerrero is a Mexican-American musician who is widely considered the”Father of Chicano Music.” Lalo Guerrero’s first recording musical group was called Los Carlistas. Los Carlistas were a trio that consisted of Lalo Guerrero, Joe Salaz, and Chloe Salaz. Los Carlistas, following their formation, would play in locations such as Armory Park, Arizona Inn, Pioneer Hotel, El Charro Restuarant, and the University of Arizona. Los Carlistas would then go on to play in Los Angeles nightclubs, thereby gaining not only Latino fans, but also African-American and White fans as well.
The group would appear in a Gene Autry movie, “Boots and Saddles” in a small singing segment. Among the trio’s other achievements is representing Arizona (Lalo’s state of birth) in the 1939 New York World’s Fair. While still in New York they would go on to perform on Major Bowes Amateur Hour, a highly popular talent show broadcast on national radio. After leaving New York, the group would play in hospitals and military camps during World War II. Following their tour abroad, the group would split up, with Guerrero returning to Los Angeles to launch a solo career.
Los Carlistas would record their first record in 1939 as well, on Vocalion Records. The group is recognized for being one of the forerunners of pachuco music. Pachuco music has been described as being the Spanish-language equivalent of an energetic, aggressive variant of rhythm and blues that would become the precursor to rock and roll. However, Los Carlistas cannot be pigeonholed into one single style of music. The trio could play various musical genres, including: norteo, salsa, jazz, blues, mambo, and rock and roll. Moreover, Guerrero would sing in both English and Spanish. Los Carlistas would mark an important epoch in Guerrero’s musical career and hinted at the music to come.