Rio (band)

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Rio

Grupo Rio in concert, 2018.

Background information
Origin| Pueblo Libre, Lima, Perú
Genres| New wave
Pop rock
Instrument(s)| Voice, guitar, electric bass, drum kit, keyboard
Website| rio.com.pe

Musical artist

Rio (pronounced as Rió and not popularly as Río; stylized as RIO) is a new wave band formed in Pueblo Libre, Lima, Peru in the 1980s and has almost 40 years of uninterrupted career.[1] It is composed of Pocho Prieto (vocals and guitars), Cucho Galarza (bass), Chachi Galarza (guitar), the historical members, also Fred Aching (drums) and Juan Carlos Fernández (keyboards).

## History

[edit]

The band was formed in early 1984 in the district of Pueblo Libre, Lima.[2] Founders Arturo "Pocho" Prieto and brothers José "Chachi" and Lucio "Cucho" Galarza named the group Royal International Orchest. In this early stage, the group covered English songs.[3]

In 1984, they began to write their own songs in Spanish and released Son Colegialas through the record label El Virrey.[4] Their first release was not very successful due to problems with the publishing house.[2] Nevertheless, they opened doors in the Cono Norte, where they began to give concerts. The following year, the group released "Televidente", recorded at Elías Ponce's studio, not at "El Virrey," and added Coco Tafur on keyboards.[3] With this song, Rio's popularity grew to the point that they were hired for various gigs in Lima and even in the provinces.

After many tours, they released their third single, "La Universidad (cosa de locos)." The promotion of the band was greatly helped by the edition of videos that circulated in some musical programs at that time. In 1986, the group released their first album titled Lo peor de todo, presented at concerts in countries like Chile (including the show Sábado Gigante), Mexico, and Bolivia.

In 1988, they released their second album Dónde vamos a parar (1988), with songs like "Todo Estaba Bien," "Lo Empiezo a Odiar," and "Contéstame." This LP took Rio on tour across many countries in Latin America.

Their third production, Revolución, recorded and mixed in Santiago, Chile in November and December 1989 and released in January 1990 only in cassette format, did not achieve the success of its predecessors and went almost unnoticed. This album included songs like "Pierdo la Razón" and "Mónica."

A couple of years later, in 1992, Rio released their fourth album: Strip Tease, released in Chile and Bolivia. This album included songs like "Al Norte de América" or "Tienes que Pagarme Más," along with "Dulce y amargo" and "Tarará," which were promoted during the first half of 1989 but were not included in their previous album.

Two years later, they released their fifth album: Rock and Qué?, featuring songs like "Carol Quiere un Viaje a Londres" or "No Me cabe Duda."

Rio's subsequent albums were Relax (1996), Día de pesca (1997), and La cría in 1999.[5] After this album, Rio took a break before releasing what would be their ninth album, Boomerang (2003), featuring songs like "Bella Luna," "Traicionera," and "Moriría por Ti.".[6]

## Rio Today

[edit]

In 2004, they performed for the Peruvian community in Spain, in 2006 in New Jersey, and in 2007 in Los Angeles. Since then, they have continuously toured the United States and Europe.

In 2005, the group recorded the version "Por tu amor" by vernacular singer Sonia Morales, who also performed.[7] That year, their album 20 años was released, featuring the band's successes from 1986 to 2006.

## Discography

[edit]

### Albums

[edit]

* Lo peor de todo (1986)
* Dónde vamos a parar (1988)
* Revolución (1990)
* Strip Tease (1992)
* Rock and Qué? (1994)
* Relax (1996)
* Día de pesca (1997)
* La cría (1999)
* Boomerang (2003)
* Río en vivo (2006)
* Lo peor de todo – Grandes Éxitos (2008)
* Duetos & más (2009)

### Singles

[edit]

* "Son colegialas"
* "Televidente"
* "La Universidad (cosa de locos)"
* "Todo estaba bien"
* "Lo empiezo a odiar"
* "Contéstame"
* "Pierdo la razón"
* "Mónica"
* "Al norte de América"
* "Dulce y amargo"
* "Tarará"
* "Tienes que pagarme más"
* "No me cabe duda"
* "Carol quiere un viaje a Londres"
* "Bella luna"
* "Traicionera"
* "Moriría por ti"
* "Por tu amor" (with Sonia Morales)
* "Y quiero ser feliz"

## See also

[edit]

* Peruvian rock
* Rock music

## References

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1. ^ Cuya, Pilar (2023-11-05). "Grupo Río, su autocrítica sobre por qué no se internacionalizaron y el apoyo 'conveniente' que les dio la industria musical". infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2023-11-07.
2. ^ a b Palacios, Mijail (24 November 2018). "Pocho Prieto: "Rio masificó el rock peruano"". Peru21 (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 January 2019.
3. ^ a b elcomercio.pe (June 2013). "RÍO: la historia de cómo el grupo más popular del Perú se volvió "subterráneo"" (Web) (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 February 2015.
4. ^ "Rio vuelve a la palestra y anuncia DVD compilatorio". RPP Noticias. 30 June 2006. Archived from the original on 21 December 2007. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
5. ^ "Río y su "cría" musical". Expreso. Archived from the original on 2000-05-17. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
6. ^ "Río regresa con 'Boomerang'". Terra. Archived from the original on 2004-02-12. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
7. ^ "Río fusiona rock y huayno con Sonia Morales". El Popular (Peru). Archived from the original on 2006-06-27. Retrieved 2024-04-17.