“Who would have thought that this place is dedicated to a cumbia legend?” I ask. Right here at Casa de Lucho, we celebrate the life and music of Lucho Argain. Casa de Lucho stands as a vibrant tribute to a musical icon.
Luis Guillermo Pérez Cedrón was born in Cartagena de Indias in 1927. He became known as Lucho Argain. He was a composer and singer who left an indelible mark on Colombian and Mexican music.
Lucho’s early life was marked by hardship. He lost his mother at age six. His family faced economic struggles. They moved frequently and lived in a zone of tolerance. Guillermo had to work various jobs to support his family. Despite these challenges, his determination shone through. At 15, he couldn’t read a letter from his first girlfriend. This motivated him to learn.
He enrolled in school with children much younger than him. Despite his age and possible embarrassment, he persevered. He sold newspapers to buy study materials. With his father’s help, he enrolled in a formal school for the second grade.
In 1944, a friend recommended him for military service. It was there that he began his career as a composer. “Ana Leonor” and “Eres mala conmigo” were his first songs. Interestingly, he never learned to play the maracas.
In 1954, Lucho began exploring Cuban music. It filled the taverns and brothels of the area. He was introduced to Antonio Fuentes. Fuentes owned Discos Fuentes. He proposed that Lucho form La Sonora Dinamita with his group. Lucho would be the lead singer. This happened on March 16, 1960.
Lucho also recorded with Los Corraleros de Majagual. He worked alongside legends like Alfredo Gutiérrez and Eliseo Herrera. He participated in various groups. These included Pedro Laza, La Sonora Cordobesa, and Los Satélites.
In 1957, Lucho met Kike Bonfante, a composer and musician. Bonfante introduced him to Antonio Fuentes. Fuentes recognized Lucho’s talent. He had artists like Daniel Santos and César Castro perform his songs. One day, César Castro couldn’t attend a recording session. Fuentes asked Lucho to sing his songs. He chose four rancheras for the Mexican market. To avoid confusion with another singer named Luis Pérez Meza, Antonio changed Lucho’s name to “Lucho Argain”.
In 1977, Toño Fuentes’ sons convinced Lucho to reactivate La Sonora Dinamita. This was due to insistent demand from the Mexican market.
Lucho Argain considered Mexico his second home. He admired José Alfredo, Juan Gabriel, and Armando Manzanero. He composed many songs dedicated to Mexico. These included “San Luis Potosí” and “A Guanajuato me voy”. He also wrote “Mi Torreón es mi Torreón” and “México 86”.
Lucho also paid tribute to other Latin American regions. He sang “Guatemalteca” and composed “Mi ilusión es Brasil.” His cumbia style became Mexicanized over the years.
Lucho Argain passed away in Cartagena in 2002. He had complications from diabetes. Yet, his music and legacy live on here at Casa de Lucho. His contributions continue to inspire musicians and delight audiences. This place is not just a restaurant. It is a celebration of a life dedicated to music.