Page 79 - ION Indie Magazine November December 2019 Issue

Formed by Arcelio Garcia and combining some of the Bay Area’s best musicians,
Malo’s 1972 Top 20 hit single “Suavecito” (meaning “soft” or “smooth” in Spanish)
is often referred to as “The Chicano National Anthem.” Originally called The
Malibus, named after the Chevy sports car, they became a well-known and popular
band in the Bay area in the mid-sixties. At first they played mainly R&B, but later
started to add Latin music to the mix.

Three or four years into the career of The Malibus,
a guitarist was brought in by the name of Jorge
Santana, the brother of the already famous Carlos
Santana. In 1970, The Malibus changed their name
to Malo and things started happening. At times
numbering as many as ten or more musicians,
Malo's powerful sound was different to that of
Santana in that the line-up boasted a serious horn
section and at various times included leading
trumpet player Luis Gasca as well as
percussionists Coke Escovedo, Francisco
Aguabella, Victor Pantoja, and Richard Bean (of
Sapo fame). They were signed to Warner Brothers
Records and recorded their first album which was
simply entitled "Malo" (BS-2584). Arcelio co-wrote
four of the six songs, including their classics "Nena"
and "Cafe."

Released in 1972, the album also included
“Suavecito," which had evolved from a song they
had written and been performing in clubs called “My
Love.” One of the band members at the time,
Richard Bean, penned new lyrics which gave birth
to the major hit record. Malo members Pablo Tellez
and Abel Zarate also got credit for the composition.

Warner Brothers released Malo's second album
"Dos" in 1972, followed by "Evolution" in 1973.
However, illness kept Arcelio Garcia out of the
group for a year in 74-75. This was the period when
Little Willie G., formerly of Thee Midniters of East
L.A., came in and became lead singer for Malo.
Willie did one album entitled “Ascención” and
toured with the band. This album was Malo's last
with Warner Brothers.

Back in good health, Arcelio, who owns the Malo
name and logo, moved to New York and started
Malo anew. This resulted in the release of Malo V
in 1981. Arcelio then came back to the West Coast,
where he has been based ever since.