Los Lobos was doing its label a favor when it played on what turned out to be a big album: Paul Simon’s Graceland. Why did the band wind up feeling burned? Los Lobos sax/keyboard player Steve Berlin explains. Happier times arrived as Los Lobos hit No. 1 with its cover of Richie Valens’ “La Bamba.” How did they capitalize on their newfound popularity? What was so strange about the recording process for the album The Neighborhood? What key takeaways from that experience led to the Los Lobos’ 1992 masterpiece, Kiko? Berlin takes us inside that creative peak period and explains why the band was behind the eight-ball when it came time to record the groovy follow-up, Colossal Head—and how David Hidalgo may be the most unassuming great guitarist there is.
