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All Music Guide:
Argentinean folk act los Chalchaleros was a project created by four young students from Salta, who met in 1947. On June 16, 1948, Víctor Zambrano, Franco Sosa, Aldo Saravia, and Juan Carlos Saravia made their live debut at Salta's Alberdi Theatre. In 1949, José Saravia joined in, temporarily taking Aldo Saravia's place. In 1953, los Chalchaleros released their debut album, called Exitos De Los Chalchaleros. Soon after, having new members Ricardo Avalos, who replaced Franco Sosa, and Ernesto Cabeza, los Chalchaleros began getting recognition for their performances, characterized for playing a traditional style known as zamba. In 1958, a self-titled record was issued. During the 1960s, the act was frequently touring Argentina, also reaching some important venues throughout South America. In 1967, Ricardo Figueroa replaced Ricardo Dávalos. A tragic event hit the group in 1980, when Ernesto Cabeza passed away, victim of cancer. The musician's place was taken by Facundo Saravia in 1983.
Wikipedia:
Los Chalchaleros is an Argentine musical ensemble consisting today of four men. The group was established in 1948 in the northern province of Salta. It is named after a local song-bird, the chalchalero.
The original group was formed by Victor José Zambrano ("Cocho"), Carlos Franco Sosa, Aldo Saravia, and Juan Carlos Saravia. They gave their first public concert on June 16, 1948. The group is currently formed by Juan Carlos Saravia, Eduardo Román ("Polo"), Ricardo Francisco Figueroa ("Pancho"), and Facundo Saravia. Other components during the group's history include José Antonio Saravia Toledo, Ricardo Federico Dávalos ("Dicky"), and Ernesto Cabeza.
Los Chalchaleros have published close to 50 records, typically focusing in traditional Argentinian folk music: zamba, cueca, chacarera, gato, and chamamé.
A rodent species discovered in La Rioja Province, Argentina, Salinoctomys loschalchalerosorum (the Chalchalero viscacha rat), from the family Octodontidae, was named after the group. The researcher in charge of the naming (Michael A. Mares from the University of Oklahoma at Norma), states that he named the new species after Los Chalchaleros because his crews had sung their songs during thirty years of field research across Argentina.
