In the late 1960s, Louie Perez was a student at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles – an area rich in Hispanic culture –  when he met David Hidalgo, a fellow student. The two bonded over their appreciation of the music of Ry Cooder, Fairport Convention, and Randy Newman. Within a short time the two started writing their own songs, mixing their love for contemporary rock ‘n’ roll with  musica nortena, and soon formed a band: Los Lobos del Este de Los Angeles.

For decades, Los Lobos, with multi-instrumentalist Louie Perez as its chief lyricist, has carried on the spirit of Chicano rock begun in the 1950s by Ritchie Valens, and Thee Midnighters in the 60s. Their songs have been covered by Waylon Jennings and Robert Plant, and they had a #1 US hit in 1987 with their version of Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” (from the film of the same name).

WUMB will celebrate Louie Perez as the Artist of the Day on Friday, January 28th, one day ahead of his 69th birthday. Hear Perez with Los Lobos and The Latin Playboys in the 9 AM, noon, and 3 PM hours.