Julio Preciado - Biography
By J Poet
Mexican singer Julio Preciado is currently one of the most popular banda artists in Mexico. His innovations to the banda style helped bring in a younger audience to the form. He also sings rancheras and romantic ballads. In 2009 he generated a huge controversy when he flubbed a few lines while singing the Mexican national anthem at the Opening Ceremony of the Caribbean Baseball Series in Mexicali, but it’s unlikely to have any affect on his long-term career.
Preciado was born in Mazatlan, Sinaloa and grew up singing, modeling his vocals on his idol José José. He studied communications at college and worked evenings in a local nightclub where he did regular karaoke spots. Banda Tiburón heard him singing karaoke and invited him to join the group as lead singer. Soon after, he was recruited by Banda Limón, which led to his career making job as singer for the legendary La Banda el Recodo, better known as La Banda Sinaloense, started by Cruz Lizárrga in 1959. He recorded eight albums with them including Desde El Cielo Y Para Siempre (1997 Fonovisa) and De Parranda Con La Banda (1997 Fonovisa.)
In 1997 he put together his own Banda Perla del Pacífico and launched his solo career. He broke with tradition by incorporating ballads, rancheras, boleros, cumbias, and salsa into the framework of the style. The band’s gigs created a frenzy; within seven months they were one of the top live draws in the country. Their debut Tu Ya Lo Conoces (1998 RCA International) went platinum in Mexico and signaled their arrival as a force to be reckoned with. The album’s first single, “Dos hojas sin rumbo,” was a #1 smash.
Preciado and Banda Perla del Pacífico followed up their debut with a long tour of the U.S. and Mexico. Que Puedo Hacer Por Ti (1999 RCA International) added merengue, cumbia, and norteño to the mix and included two originals by Preciado “Me vuelvo Loco” and the title track. It went gold. Homenaje a Ramón Ayala (2000 RCA International), a tribute to the Norteño songwriter who was his mother’s favorite artist topped the charts. Como Este Loco (2000 RCA International) was another smash with the title track going to #1.
Preciado paid tribute to Mexico’s ranchera songwriters on Entre Amigos (2001 RCA International) recorded with a full mariachi orchestra. Banda Perla del Pacífico returned for Arriba Mi Sinaloa (2002 RCA International),
Que Me Siga la Tambora (2003 RCA International), Cadetazos (2004 Sony BMG Latin) and Quisiera Tener Alas (2005 Sony BMG Latin.)
Mi Tributo a Juan Gabriel (2006 Sony BMG Latin) was a salute to another one of Preciado’s musical heroes. In 2009, Preciado and his manager launched the Latin Power label with the hit single “Llevame Contigo.” Tesoros De Coleccion (2009 Sony BMG Latin) gives you a 30 song overview of Preciado’s career on two discs.
