Los Temerarios Say Farewell at Toyota Center

Mexican music is normally categorized as lively, jovial, and loud, with brass horns and drums that practically force you to dance. But beyond the cumbias and rancheras that we adore, there will always be ballads that bring us down to Earth. Songs about love, lust, and heartbreak uplift our spirits when we are in love, and console us when that love has been shattered into a million little pieces.

The absolute masters of the romantic ballad are Los Temerarios, a band from Zacatecas, Mexico that was formed in the late 1970s, and enjoyed four decades of heart-wrenching hits. They are in the middle of their farewell tour across the US, Mexico, and Latin America at the moment, and will finalize this long goodbye in Mexico City later this year.

The music of Los Temerarios was never at the top of my list of records I purchased or music that I played around the house, but somehow it has always been part of my life. This was music that my tias listened to while they were cooking, and it would be blasting from the radio when my tios were on the grill. I remember my mother singing along to their songs as she listened to Spanish language radio station La Tremenda 1010AM as she cleaned the house and got ready for work.

Thursday evening was the band’s first for three sold-out concerts at Toyota Center, which is really impressive for any performer, let alone a Mexican act. As the audience filled into the arena, you could feel the anticipation in the air. Once the Angel brothers took to the stage, they were met with a grand applause, leading into the first song of the night, “Enamorado De Ti.”

Most of the band’s tracks are slow to medium in tempo, full of melodic notes from the keyboards, soft guitar chords, and driven drum breaks between the verses. I must admit, I haven’t listened to a Temerarios song for a very long time, but somehow those lyrics and melodies that were buried deep in my memory found their way to my mouth. I caught myself singing songs that I haven’t heard in 20-plus years, and enjoying every moment.

The audience was equally mesmerized, also singing along loudly to each track while they held their dates close and danced in their seats. The opening set continued with “Tu Infame Engaño,” “Una Tarde Fue” and “Como Te Recuerdo.”

The word “temerario” translates as “a reckless person” as well as “fearless” and “daredevil.” Their band logo and some of their album covers prominently feature a wolf, which is a symbol of both masculinity and beauty. Machismo will always be part of the Latin American male ego, but there’s no shame in being in love and sharing your feelings. Los Temerarios have provided the soundtrack of love for their adoring fans for as long as I can remember.

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Gustavo Angel’s distinct voice and guitar has accompanied generations of fans through love and heartbreak.

Photo by Marco Torres

The brothers explained to the audience that this show was particularly special because their mother, wives, and other close friends and family were in attendance near the front row. They each blew kisses towards their mom, and took turns serenading her and mouthing the words “Te Quiero Mucho” throughout the evening (I love you!).

The set list included 30 songs and the show went on until around 11pm. One of my favorite moments of the evening was when they sang a cover of “Qué De Raro Tiene” by Vicente Fernandez. The crowd sang most of the night fairly loudly, but they pushed those vocal chords to the max during this song.

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Adolfo Angel is the force behind the melodies and lyrics for the innumerable hits by Mexican band Los Temerarios.

Photo by Marco Torres

The encore included the hits “Te Quiero,” “Mi Vida Eres Tú,” and “La Mujer De Los Dos.” A sea of cell phone lights illuminated the arena during this time, and everyone swayed back and forth, shining their light brightly as a “Thank You” to this amazing band for the litany of hits and years of love and support through our highs and lows.

¡Hasta Siempre, Temerarios!