The Speakers

One of the first Rock bands in South America, The Speakers were formed in Bogot? - Colombia, in 1963. After releasing several locally successful albums they penned En El Maravilloso Mundo De Ingesón in 1968, which is widely regarded as the groundbreaking masterpiece of Latin American psychedelic rock music. Just as the Brazilian Os Mutantes and their local colleagues The Flippers did after them, The Speakers initially borrowed the look and musical styles of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals and The Byrds.

Just as the Brazilian Os Mutantes and their local colleagues The Flippers did after them, The Speakers initially borrowed the look and musical styles of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals and The Byrds. They also adopted the same musical instruments: Hofner Basses, Ludwig Drums, and Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Fender and Gibson Guitars. On the fanbase side, female fan hysteria was a coincidence as well. As the 60's evolved into psychedelia the band followed, and bands as Jefferson Airplane and Iron Butterfly became their source of inspiration.

Lead by Humberto Monroy and Rodrigo García, The Speakers was originally a 5-piece group that included Fernando Latorre and brothers Luis and Edgar Due?as. Oswaldo Hernandez, Oscar Lasprilla and Roberto Fiorilli were members of the band as well. / See full line-ups and time frame below.

They were first signed by Sello Vergara and later by the more prominent Discos Bambuco. By the mid sixties -and after going through an earlier so-called "Yeah Yeah" / "Go Go" phase-, the band made a departure from singing covers and songs in English. In 1966 The Speakers were reduced to a 4-piece and released the more experimental Tuercas Tornillos Y Alicates, -reminiscent of the sound of bands like The Byrds. In 1967 they released the newly psychedelic self-titled The Speakers. The album proved a significant evolution towards a more authentic sound and brought the arrival of guitarrist Oscar Lasprilla and drummer Roberto Fiorilli.

When Lasprilla decided to quit the band and try his luck in Europe, Humberto Monroy (bass and vocals), Rodrigo García (guitars and vocals) and Roberto Fiorilli (drums), were devoloping a greater interest in psychedelia and experimentation. The influence of bands like Iron Butterfly, Jefferson Airplane, Strawberry Alarm Clock and albums such as "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles and "Their Satanic Majesties Request" by The Rolling Stones was very significant for the 3 remaining Speakers at this point.

In early 1968 they approached their label (Bambuco) as well as CBS, Phillips and Sonolux with bold and daring conceptual ideas about a new psychedelic record which would include very unconventional songs and instrumentation, a gatefold sleeve, a multi-page booklet and a large number of colored photographs. Bambuco rejected the project considering it too much of a risky affair and deemed it as commercial suicide, proceeding to drop the band. The other labels that were approached expressed the same concerns. However, the trio persisted and went ahead with the plan.

The band's fifth and final album, the independently released En El Maravilloso Mundo De Ingesón was recorded in 1968. Producciones Kris was the name of the newly created independent company that supported the album's production. In order to fund the sessions and market the record the band got in touch with the owners of Inges?n (a popular recording studio in Bogot?) who agreed to support the band, -only if the name of the studio was included in the album's title. The myth of the record is enhanced by its inclusion of a free psychedelic substance glued to the gatefold sleeve, which authorities never noticed. It was an LSD placebo, actually. Nothing illegal, but certainly an effective publicity stunt.

The band split in 1969 when Rodrigo García moved to Spain. Humberto Monroy then formed Siglo cero (a progressive rock group) and later on, another very succesful Colombian outfit -more oriented towards folk music: Génesis, also known as Genesis De Colombia (Not the British Genesis).

Way innovative for a South American band in the 60's, The Speakers are mainly remembered by the people who lived their era as contemporaries. A recent interest in their music and efforts has developed nonetheless, -just like it has happened with Brazil's premier psychedelic band Os Mutantes. However Humberto Monroy never was able to witness this late esteem and appreciation for his band, as he prematurely died in March, 1992.

Discography:

1. The Speakers (Vol.1) (1964)
2. La Casa del Sol Naciente (1965)
3. Tuercas Tornillos Y Alicates (1966)
4. The Speakers (1967)
5. En El Maravilloso Mundo De Ingesón (1968)

Band Members / Line-Ups:

Main and Most Relevant Line Up:
Rodrigo García - Guitar, Vocals (1963-1969)
Humberto Monroy - Bass, Vocals (1963-1969)
Roberto Fiorilli - Drums (1967-1969)

First Line Up:
Rodrigo García - Lead Guitar, Vocals (1963-1969)
Humberto Monroy - Bass, Vocals (1963-1969)
Fernando Latorre - Drums (1964-1966)
Oswaldo Hernandez - Guitar (1964-1967)
Luis Dueñas - Guitar, Vocals (1964-1967)

Second LineUp:
Rodrigo García - Lead Guitar, Vocals (1964-1969)
Humberto Monroy - Bass, Vocals (1963-1969)
Oswaldo Hernandez - Guitar (1964-1967)
Luis Dueñas - Guitar, Vocals (1964-1967)
Edgar Due?as - Drums (1966-1967)

Third LineUp:
Rodrigo García - Lead Guitar, Vocals (1963-1969)
Humberto Monroy - Bass, Vocals (1963-1969)
Roberto Fiorilli - Drums (1967-1969)
Oscar Lasprilla - Guitar, Vocals (1967)