Los Cadetes de Linares

Los Cadetes de Linares rank among the most enduring norteño ensembles still active today. Originating in the modest community of Linares located within Nuevo Leon, these musicians receive acclaim for composing numerous foundational corridos. Their beginnings remain hotly contested, much like ownership claims over the ensemble's moniker. Agreement among sources points to the outfit commencing its performances and recordings sometime from 1959 through 1962. Lineup shifts occurred frequently, at intervals of several years or less, yet stability arrived by 1974 when members held steady positions and the designation Los Cadetes de Linares appeared regularly during live shows. In the middle portion of the 1970s, prominent record companies showed minimal interest in regional Mexican sounds, delaying the group's opportunity for steady studio work until 1980, at which point momentum began to accumulate. Tracks such as "Dos Coronas a Mi Madre" and "Los Pistoleros Famosos" reached radio listeners and sparked swift expansion of their audience. This following encompassed everyone from countryside agricultural workers in Mexico to affluent residents in California suburbs, establishing the act as a leading norteño attraction during that era. Even with just a pair of founding musicians remaining in the current roster, Los Cadetes de Linares continue their efforts in both recording studios and on the road.