Quelentaro

Quelentaro, a pioneering Chilean folk group, was founded in 1963 by Valericio Leppe, Oseas Leppe, Mauricio Gangas, and Gastón Guzmán in the Central Rapel region. Known for their raw, poetic narratives that reflect the hardships of rural life, the group solidified its place in the Chilean folk scene with their unique style of storytelling. In 1967, they released their debut album Coplas al viento, followed by Huella Campesina in 1968, marking the beginning of their long discography. By 1969, the Guzmán brothers, Gastón and Eduardo, became the stable core of the group. During the Salvador Allende government (1970-1973), they became prominent figures in cultural events. After the 1973 military coup, Eduardo went into exile, writing many of the group’s songs from abroad. Their poignant works, such as Buscando Siembra (1979), reflected the political and social struggles of the time. The group continued to release albums throughout the dictatorship, with Gastón carrying the torch of Quelentaro’s legacy. After Eduardo’s death in 2012, Gastón kept performing until his own passing in 2019, bringing an end to the group. Quelentaro’s powerful contributions to Chilean music and history remain influential to this day.

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