Composer, guitarist, poet and vocalist Luis Alberto Spinetta was one of the pioneers of rock music in Argentina and was a member of legendary bands Almendra, Pescado Rabioso, Invisible, and Spinetta Jade. He was also a well-respected musician throughout Latin America.
Luis Alberto Spinetta was born on January 23rd, 1950 in Buenos Aires. His nickname was El Flaco (the skinny guy).
In 1967 he formed a band called Almendra with school friends. This was one of the first rock bands in South America that composed its own songs and recorded in Spanish. Almendra released two influential albums: Almendra (1969) and Almendra II (1970).
The next band he formed was Pescado Rabioso, a rock group that had harder sound. Pescado Rabioso released Desatormentándonos (1972), Pescado II (1973) and Artaud (1973).
In 1974 Spinetta started a new band called Invisible. The sound was more laid back, combining blues rock with engaging ballads and some jazz elements. Invisible released three albums: Invisible, Durazno Sangrando and El Jardín De Los Presentes. Durazno Sangrando is considered one of Spinetta’s finest works. On El Jardín De Los Presentes Spinetta introduced new elements such as bandoneón, which added an Argentine folk music flavor. Spinetta also showed his skills as a guitarist, with beautiful instrumental solos.
After dissolving Invisible in 1976, Spinetta embraced jazz fusion, combining rock, jazz and Latin American rhythms. He released one of his finest works, A 18´ del Sol (1977) and later formed fusion band Spinetta Jade. This new band released Alma de Diamante (1980), Los Niños Que Escriben En El Cielo (1981), Bajo Belgrano (1983) and Madre en Años Luz (1984). The first two albums were solid fusion. The latter headed in a pop direction.
In the mid-1980s, Spinetta dissolved Spinetta Jade and produced a series of solo albums. He formed a new band in the late 1990s called Spinetta y los Socios del Desierto. The group released three albums: Socios del Desierto (1996), San Cristóforo (1998, live) and Los Ojos (1999).
Spinetta y los Socios del Desierto disbanded in late 1999. Spinetta returned to his solo career, releasing Silver Sorgo (2001), Para los Árboles (2003), Camalotus (2004), Pan (2006), Un Mañana (2008) and Spinetta y las Bandas Eternas (2010).