Tequila were one of Spain's most popular and influential rock bands of the 1970s and '80s, breaking down the doors for rock & roll in the post-Franco era and winning a massive following at home for their music, rooted in the classic style of
Chuck Berry and
the Rolling Stones.
Tequila were formed in 1975 by a pair of Argentinian expatriates, lead singer
Alejo Stivel and lead guitarist
Ariel Rot. Teaming with three native Spaniards -- guitarist
Julian Infante, bassist Felipe Lipe, and drummer Manolo Iglesias --
Tequila landed a record deal with Sony's Spanish division after establishing themselves as a powerful live act, and their debut album, Matricula de Honor, was released in 1978. While Matricula de Honor sold well, their second LP, 1979's Rock and Roll, became a major success, and they were cited as the first Spanish rock band to enjoy major commercial and critical success at home. Two more albums followed -- 1980's Viva Tequila and 1981's Confidencial -- but personal differences and drug abuse began tearing at the group, and in 1982,
Tequila split up.
Ariel Rot went on to a successful solo career as well as producing other artists, while
Alejo Stivel would become a noted record producer and created several memorable commercial jingles.
Julian Infante played with
Ariel Rot in the band
los Rodriguez in the '90s; he died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2000, the same condition which claimed Manolo Iglesias in 1994. In 2008,
Stivel and
Rot staged a
Tequila reunion tour with a handful of new musicians, though Felipe Lipe chose not participate. ~ Mark Deming