By City News Service and the San Fernando Valley Sun
It was proclaimed “Los Bukis Day” as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled today, honoring Los Bukis, the chart-topping and Grammy-nominated Mexican regional music band that sold out SoFi Stadium and Chicago’s Soldier Field in 2021.
Members of fan clubs started showing up as early as 6 a.m. for the late-morning ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard. The crowd grew so large that the roadway was closed between Sycamore and La Brea avenues. Fans passed the time by playing Los Bukis music and singing along. Some even shared the Los Bukis logo and lyrics tattooed on their arms.
They all had stories about the first time they heard the music or attended a concert.
“The music is about love, heartbreak, everything about life,” said one woman. “My sister took me to my first concert in the 70s when I was just 15 years old and I became a fan for life. Los Bukis is all about our community.”
Oscar-nominated Mexican-born actor Demian Bichir was among those speaking at the ceremony, which was emceed by comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.
“I grew up listening to Los Bukis in my house. My mother played it. I woke up hearing it,” said Iglesias. “This band is comparable to the Rolling Stones. Some performers are lucky if they can fill an arena; Los Bukis can sell out stadiums.”
Bichir, like Iglesias, said the success and what the group means to the community cannot be overstated.
“During times like this, they represent our resilience,” said Bichir.
“Si Se Puede,” echoed Iglesias.
Speaking in Spanish, band co-founder Marco Antonio Solis called the honor “a blessing from God.” He said the band was dedicating its star to immigrants in the country “who strive every day to serve.”
Speaking about “times of adversity” facing immigrants, Solis said, “We are with you; our hearts go out to all the people who are suddenly suffering from these adversities.
“We firmly believe that this will change soon, sooner than we imagine,” he said.
The star is the 2,817th since the completion of the Walk of Fame in 1961 with the initial 1,558 stars.
Los Bukis was formed in 1973 by Marco Antonio Solís and his cousin Joel Solís along with drummer Jorge Dávila and bassist Carlos Enrique González. “Los Bukis” means “children” in the Yaqui language. When they first started performing, they were very young and now decades later, they fondly remain, Los Bukis.
The band released its first studio album, “Falso Amor,” in 1975, and released an album each year from 1977 to 1983.
Los Bukis received the first of its three Grammy nominations in 1984 for best Mexican-American performance for “Yo Te Necesito.” It was nominated in the same category in 1989 for “Si Me Recuerdas” and for best Latin pop album in 1992 for “A Traves De Tus Ojos.”
In 1985, “Adonde Vas” became the band’s first album to top Billboard’s regional Mexican albums charts, remaining first for 20 weeks. Los Bukis has had nine other albums reach No. 1 on the genre’s charts.
Los Bukis’ hits include “Tu Cárcel,” “Quiéreme,” “Yo Te Necesito,” “Presiento Que Voy a Llorar,” “A Donde Vayas,” “Ya Ahora Te Vas,” “Tus Mentiras,” “Morenita” and “Necesito Una Compañera.”
The group broke up in 1996, but reunited in 2021 with four of its members from 1996 – Marco Antonio Solís as the lead vocalist and guitarist; Joel Solís as a guitarist and backing vocalist; Roberto Guadarrama, a keyboardist, backing vocalist and trumpeter; and drummer Pedro Sánchez – and three who had left the group earlier – Eusebio “El Chivo” Cortéz, a bass player with the group from 1978-85; José “Pepe” Guadarrama, a saxophonist, second keyboardist and percussionist from 1987-1995; and Jose Javier Solís, a percussionist who also played the congas and keytar from 1981-87.