Jaime López

Jaime López

Jaime López (Matamoros, Tamaulipas, México, January 21, 1954) is a Mexican composer and singer. He has been a controversial figure for his rebellious attitude and regardless of groups or political positions. His most popular song is Chilanga Banda, which Café Tacvba reversed.

He was born, according to what he himself wrote, "in a barracks (...) I come from the old barracks of the Mexican Army," where he learned to play the guitar with "Sergeant Chanona, over there in the corrals." At the age of 16 he traveled to Mexico City where he studied high school and entered the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters at UNAM, only to study for half a semester and dedicate himself to the interpretation of songs that he himself composed. "I came to do high school as a good champion / and yes I did it but outside the classroom," says his autobiographical version, to the classic Chuck Berry: Johnny B. Goode, entitled I've never gotten on the blackboard.

As a composer, the proposals of his lyrics are intelligent and uninhibited outside the commercial sphere of radio and television, in which the daily lives of the society of Mexico City are described and denounced, as well as the love and narrative lack of love of a funny way using word games with popular and street language, but without neglecting the seriousness of poetry. It is considered a very important pillar of Mexican rock, although it has also created songs of a tropical, ranchero, blues and bolero style.

On August 16, 1985 he participated in the OTI Festival with the song Blue demon blues -one of the first Mexican compositions dedicated to wrestling-, obtaining from the judges the last place in the festival for the interpretation of said piece tribute to the wrestler Blue Demon, whom López personally invited but was denied entry. According to the singer, the athlete would later appreciate the gesture and composition. Jaime's reference to two of the television icons of the time was fundamental for obtaining the last place, when he made a mention of Mario Moreno 'Cantinflas' and finished off the song with the phrase: 'Ánimo Blue, Vamos' aí, que There is no worse fight than Lucha Villa '.

During the next years he will have dealings with the recording industry, which earned him criticism from his followers for considering it inappropriate. At that point, the anger of a fan arrived outside the El Cuervo theater-bar in Coyoacán. During those years, a pint appeared saying: "Jaime López changes Pepsi." The truth is that this contact resulted in a magnificent album: Jaime López (1989), which was recorded in New York City.

Among his most popular songs are Primera calle de la soledad, Corazón de cacto, Take it out, Dying of thirst, Chilanga banda, In all the extension of the word love, I feel good but I feel bad, From my motorcycle, Oh, What a pain to live!, On the side of the road ,, Wagon of tramps, She packed her steak, Your curse and The whore Cecilia Toussaint has interpreted and popularized the songs "Take it out", "Heart of cactus" and "I feel good, but I feel bad".

Her little-known works with other musicians include 'Navegabas' with Eblen Macari for the album Glaciares / 4 Songs by Eblen Macari and 'Piel de Hielo' included on Chac Mool's album Caricia Digital. In 2003, he is the cousin of the actor and dubbing director Herman López.