Ecuadorian group.
The origins of Los Corvets trace back to 1964, thanks to the support of Mrs. Josefina Abitia de Vallarino, the mother of band members Alberto and Roberto. Initially, the group performed under the name "Los Pájaros de Fuego."
The early lineup featured "Robbie" García as the lead vocalist and guitarist, with Roberto Vallarino on first guitar, Alberto Vallarino on keyboards, and "Yoyo" García on drums. Soon after, "Pancho" Burgos joined as the first guitarist, while Roberto Vallarino switched to bass and "Yoyo" departed. During this time, the Ecuadorian music scene had few artists dedicated to modern music, or "rock," leading to frequent lineup changes as they sought the best talent available. The drumming position saw several transitions, with musicians such as Eduardo Blacio, Amadeo Moreira, Manuel Picon, and Fernando Rodríguez, who consistently returned to the group despite other commitments. Briefly, Jorge Chiriboga also sang alongside Robbie García.
This early period, largely unknown to most fans, was challenging as the group, primarily amateurs, often played for free at radio stations, schools, and parties. Nonetheless, they enjoyed a warm reception from the public. Many performances required them to repeat songs due to audience demand. Their repertoire included early hits like "Tu Seras Mi Baby," "Diana," and "Y La Amo," as well as their first original instrumental piece, "When the Sun Sets," composed by Jorge Salomón. Their enthusiasm and commitment to quality sound helped establish a strong musical foundation.
By 1966, persistence began to pay off, as they secured more significant performances and garnered better press coverage. They appeared on television shows such as "Cocktail Deportivo with Chicken Palacios" and "Pepsi A GO-GO," while also working on their image with varied looks and well-designed uniforms, marking a new phase for the group. With improved musical cohesion and maturity, Robbie García announced his move to Quito, leading to the arrival of Marcos Molina as the new lead vocalist. Pancho Burgos left, and Alfredo Salomón took over as the first guitarist, with Ricardo Rivera joining as the stable drummer, while Alberto Vallarino remained on keyboards and Roberto Vallarino on bass, solidifying the group’s lineup to five members.
During this time, an artistic entrepreneur offered them a compelling contract, which included a name change to "Los Corvets" to facilitate better promotion. Although the change from their original name was bittersweet, it was made for practical reasons. In 1967, under the management of Jorge Delgado Guzmán, they recorded their first album for the Orión label of IFESA. Their lack of experience in the studio made the session challenging, prompting Doña Josefina to replace some musicians with more seasoned players. The recording featured Roberto Viera on first guitar, Fernando Rodríguez on drums, Hans Palacio on keyboards, Marcos Molina as the lead vocalist, and Roberto Vallarino on bass. This period marked the group's peak in terms of performances and recordings.
By late 1969, Luis "Pollo" Silva joined the band, and Gustavo Lanatta initially took over as lead vocalist, followed shortly by Antonio Elizalde, then Enrique González. The lineup also included José "Pichin" Luzarraga on first guitar, Alberto Vallarino on second guitar and percussion, and Roberto Vallarino on bass. Ernesto "Tito" Haensel later joined as a guitarist.
Tragedy struck in February 1972 with the deaths of Alberto Vallarino and Doña Josefina de Vallarino in a car accident. Following a brief hiatus, the group continued with Enrique González on vocals, Tito Haensel on first guitar, Hans Palacio on keyboards, Lucho Silva on drums, Guillermo Granizo on percussion, and Roberto Vallarino on bass. Eventually, Hans Palacio was succeeded by Venancio Larrea on keyboards. After years of musical evolution and member changes, the current lineup consists of Amado Terán on vocals, Lucho Izurieta on keyboards, Carlos Vera on first guitar, Alonso Flores on percussion, Javier López on drums, and Roberto Vallarino on bass.
