Renacimiento 74

Founded in Houston, Texas, in 1974 by lead singer Adán Ibarra and other experienced musicians, Renacimiento 74 (often shortened to "Rena") became one of the most popular Mexican cumbia and tropical groups of its period. The band pioneered the use of electronic organ with traditional instruments such as requinto, and made the most of Ibarra's uniquely twangy voice applied to the swaying dancing rhythms of cumbia, married with typically saucy lyrics filled with double entendres but also showcasing a knack for romantic ballads. In the course of a career spanning more than five decades, Renacimiento 74's fortunes fluctuated with the popularity of the genre, but the group never stopped touring across Mexico and the United States. While most of the original members had passed away, Ibarra could still be found leading the group well into the 2020s. ~ Mariano Prunes