Kiko Vargas, Sr.

In 1990, cumbia, like rap, was not respected by the mainstream Latin music industry. One man forever changed the image of cumbia music in America, and worldwide, with the hit song 'Escandalo'.

In the 1970s, nightclub impresarios Kiko Vargas Sr. and his wife Ruby moved to the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. By the 1980s, they were operating the biggest Latin Music club in the valley. By the early 90s, Kiko had become one of the largest management booking agents and promoters for Latin Music stars on the West Coast, working with such acts as:

La Sonora Dinamita
Lucho Argain
Grupo Niche
Leo Dan
Marisela
Los Iracundos
Los Angeles Negros
Juan Gabriel

In the mid-90s, Kiko started the record label Nuevo Mundo Presenta, and launched La Internacional Sonora Show with the Latin music smash hit Escandalo. He brought cumbia music so much respectability that even admirer Tito Puente requested a cumbia version of 'Oye Como Va'.

La Internacional Sonora Show went on many successful tours, performing in venues and at major events from coast-to-coast, including:

Madison Square Gardens
Calle Ocho
Fiesta Broadway
Hollywood Bowl
Macro Plaza de Monterey
Canada's Wonderland
Hollywood Palladium

Kiko Vargas, Jr.

In the early 90s, Kiko Vargas, Jr. the eldest son of Kiko Vargas, Sr., took over booking duties for Promesa Show Business and La Internacional Sonora Show.

In the mid-90s, he established Rock Latino, and developed a reputation as one of the founding and pioneering promoters of the legendary Rock en Espanol movement, partnering with Voices del Oro (Goldenvoice). He promoted acts and venues such as:

El Tri
Heroes del Silencio
Cafe Tacuba
La Ley
Maldita Vecindad
Alejandro Guzman
Mana

The untimely death of Kiko Vargas, Sr. from cancer in 2004 lost cumbia music its' greatest and most ardent promoter and fan. In 2002, Kiko Vargas, Sr., while falling ill, had the foresight to ask Kiko and Roxana to take La Internacional Sonora Show to the next level.