El Chicano in the studio

70’s rock band, El Chicano is back and they are now in the studio with producer Gerry Gallagher and GRAMMY® winning engineer, Gerry “The Gov” Brown. Rehearsals and recording are now in session as the band begins to assemble a collection of new work for their upcoming release later this year. Original founder, member and manager, Freddie Sanchez will be co-producing on the project.

Receiving #1votes by both Billboard and Cashbox magazines in 1970, El Chicano charted in all categories but Country and Western that year with their Gold record and single, “Viva Tirado.” Their immediate rise to fame initiated a run of seven albums with MCA Records. Continued success came in 1973 with the release of the self titled album, El Chicano going Gold and its top 40 hit single, “Tell Her She’s Lovely.” With a career spanning over 40 years, the band has garnered five Gold records and has had music featured in over 50 compilations worldwide.

More commendable than the bands musical and sales achievements is the bands focus and commitment to community and charity. Raising awareness to help children and the arts has always been an objective of the band.

With the untimely passing of original band members Bobby Espinosa and Rudy Regalado in 2010, Freddie Sanchez states, “El Chicano is dedicated to continuing the musical legacy that was theirs and our passion. We are committed to giving our all and giving back to the communities that have been there for us over the years. This is for something greater than each of us as individuals.”

Joining Sanchez is original member Mickey Lespron and longtime member, Jerry Salas.

Producer Gerry Gallagher is bringing his 30 years of experience in the music business to the table. He has been planning the El Chicano project for years and specifically sought Gerry Brown to engineer the recordings.

“I went out of my way to get him involved. His reputation and catalog of accomplishments in the recording studio is amazing and truly second to none. El Chicano is legendary, the collaborating artists are unbelievable and together we are striving to create incredible results. Without giving away any of the secrets that are coming, I can say that this is an exciting and eventful project that has multiple GRAMMY® nominations written all over it. I have the best engineer onboard and with Freddie co-producing, I am delighted. I can now go ahead and produce this project with full confidence that we have a real solid team in place and that this team has a fabulous chance in making music history!”

Based out of Los Angeles, GRAMMY® winning engineer Gerry “the Gov” Brown has credits on over 47 Platinum and Gold records. Artists he has worked with include Prince, Madonna, Sting, Mariah Carey, Usher, Joss Stone, Vanessa Williams, Brian McKnight, George Clinton, Wayne Shorter, Monica and the Bee Gees.

When asked about his new work with El Chicano, Brown stated: “I am very excited about the project and I can see this getting enormous GRAMMY® attention for next year. I am really looking forward to working with Gerry Gallagher, Freddie and the band.”

About El Chicano
Originally known as the VIPs, El Chicano went on to become one of the most successful bands in Rock history. For over 40 years, they have been credited for creating “the brown sound”. Receiving #1 votes by Billboard and Cashbox magazines in 1970 and garnering five Gold records during their seven record run with MCA, El Chicano has proven to be an inspiration to many around the world. The band is now in the process of recording a new project scheduled for release later this year.