Summary of Podcast Episode: PLEDGE WEEK: “La conferencia secreta del Toto’s Bar” by Los Shakers

Podcast Information:

• Title: A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
• Host/Author: Andrew Hickey
• Episode: PLEDGE WEEK: “La conferencia secreta del Toto’s Bar” by Los Shakers
• Release Date: July 22, 2025

Introduction

During Pledge Week 2025, host Andrew Hickey delves into an in-depth exploration of Los Shakers, Uruguay's most influential band of the 1960s, focusing on their seminal album, "La Conferencia Secreta del Toto’s Bar". This episode stands out as Los Shakers remain relatively obscure in English-speaking circles, necessitating collaboration with Tilt, a Spanish-speaking assistant, to navigate language barriers and uncover the band's legacy.

Origins of Los Shakers

Andrew begins by tracing the roots of Los Shakers back to Montevideo, where Antonio Fattoroso, a frustrated musician running an electronics repair shop that also sold records, forms Trio Fattoroso in the 1950s with his sons Ugo and Osvaldo. The trio, analogous to the UK’s Quarrymen, performed a blend of boleros and tangos with makeshift instruments, reflecting the nascent rock scene in Uruguay.

As Ugo transitioned from piano to bass at age 16, he joined the Hot Blowers, Uruguay's counterpart to the British trad bands. Though details about the Hot Blowers are sparse, it is evident that the Fattoroso brothers were integral to the early Uruguayan rock landscape. An epiphany in 1964 marked a turning point for the brothers, leading to the formation of Los Shakers.

Beatles Influence and Transformation

A pivotal moment came when Los Shakers were exposed to The Beatles. Andrew cites:

Andrew Hickey [00:00]: "The brothers had actually become aware of the Beatles before almost anyone else in South America...”

After witnessing either "A Hard Day’s Night" or the trailer "The Beatles Are Coming", the Fattoroso brothers experienced what Andrew describes as an “almost Damascene conversion”. This profound influence led them to abandon jazz and embrace a Beatles-inspired sound, restructuring their band:

• Osvaldo switched from drums to guitar.
• Ugo took up guitar while continuing to play keyboards.
• They were joined by Roberto Pellin Capobianco on bass and Carlos Cayo Villa on drums.

Rebranded as Lush Shakers, they began writing original music, with Osvaldo handling lyrics and Ugo composing the melodies. Their first single, "Rompan Tod", was released under Odeon Records, a subsidiary of EMI catering to non-English-speaking markets.

Musical Evolution and Early Success

Their debut album, "Lush Shakers", featured a mix of original tracks and covers such as "It's My Party" and Del Shannon's "Keep Searching". Despite the rudimentary English lyrics, the band excelled in capturing the melodic essence of early Beatles music. Notable tracks include "Para Ti y Para Me", which effectively emulated the Beatles' sound.

Andrew Hickey [07:21]: “And the group released a series of singles that came even closer to the Beatles style...”

Los Shakers quickly rose to prominence in both Uruguay and Argentina, spearheading a mini-Uruguayan invasion of the Argentine music scene. They paved the way for contemporaries like Los Mocas, further cementing their status as central figures in South American rock.

International Ambitions and Challenges

An attempt to break into the U.S. market saw Los Shakers sign with Audio Fidelity, a label primarily focused on audiophiles and not well-versed in promoting pop acts. Their album "Break it All", released in North America, featured re-recorded South American hits with English titles. However, due to insufficient promotion and a mismatch between the label’s expertise and the band’s pop orientation, the album failed to make a significant impact.

Andrew Hickey [10:49]: “There's always that album wasn't a success, as the label didn't know how to promote it...”

La Conferencia Secreta del Toto’s Bar: The Masterpiece

Released in 1968, "La Conferencia Secreta del Toto’s Bar" is hailed as Los Shakers' magnum opus and is often likened to the Latin American Sergeant Pepper. This comparison, though somewhat superficial, underscores the album’s ambition and its departure from pure Beatles imitation. The title track narrates a fictitious summit of the Organisation of American States held in a local bar, reflecting the band's creative expansion.

Andrew highlights the album’s eclectic influences:

Andrew Hickey [15:34]: “And I could hear a couple echoes of all sorts of different musicians in the album. Mas largo que el Siruela is closer to some of the material and pet sounds of Odyssey and Oracle than to anything the Beatles ever did...”

Tracks like "Nunca Nunca" incorporate samba and bossa nova, while "Espero que Les Gusto" ventures into psychedelic sounds influenced by John Coltrane, incorporating backwards guitar and heavy bass elements. The album signifies Los Shakers’ evolution into a unique Latin rock entity, blending local musical traditions with global influences.

Legacy and Disbandment

Despite their innovative work, "La Conferencia Secreta del Toto’s Bar" was Los Shakers' final album for nearly four decades. Political turmoil in Uruguay, marked by increasing authoritarianism and a military dictatorship by 1973, stifled the band’s momentum. Consequently, the group disbanded, with Ugo and Osvaldo moving to New York to reconnect with their jazz roots.

In New York, they engaged in various projects:

• Recorded a bossa nova duo album featuring covers and reimagined Shakers songs.
• Joined Ayrton Marrera’s band, a Brazilian jazz legend.
• Formed the jazz fusion band Opaque, releasing several albums, including a tribute project "Our Los Shakers" in 1981.

Although Los Shakers never achieved widespread recognition outside South America, their impact within the continent was profound. They remain revered as one of Latin America's most influential rock bands, with their music often rivaling that of globally recognized acts like the Small Faces, Manfred Mann, and the Zombies.

Reunions and Final Years

In 1998, the original trio reformed as Trio Fattoroso, replacing their father with Ugo's son on bass. The classic lineup of Los Shakers also reunited in 2005, releasing "Bonus Tracks". Unfortunately, the reunion lacked the original magic, and the band members faced untimely passings:

• Osvaldo in 2012
• Capobianco in 2015
• Villa in 2019

Despite these losses, Ugo continues to honor the legacy of Los Shakers by performing and preserving their musical heritage.

Conclusion and Reflection

Andrew Hickey concludes the episode by reflecting on the significance of Los Shakers within the broader context of global music history. He emphasizes the vast, untapped narratives of non-English-speaking musicians, underscoring the importance of uncovering and celebrating these stories.

Andrew Hickey [22:25]: “Lost Shakers didn't make much impact on the world outside South America, but in their home continent they were one of the biggest and most influential bands of all time...”

This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the rich, diverse tapestry of rock music history, encouraging listeners to explore beyond the mainstream narratives and appreciate the contributions of bands like Los Shakers.

Notable Quotes:

1. Andrew Hickey [00:00]:
   "This episode is going to be a little different from normal because I'm covering a band about whom there's almost no information in English."

2. Tilt [03:54]:
   *"It's been a hard day at night and I've been working like a dog...”

3. Andrew Hickey [07:21]:
   “And the group released a series of singles that came even closer to the Beatles style...”

4. Andrew Hickey [10:49]:
   “There's always that album wasn't a success, as the label didn't know how to promote it...”

5. Andrew Hickey [15:34]:
   “And I could hear a couple echoes of all sorts of different musicians in the album..."

6. Andrew Hickey [22:25]:
   “Lost Shakers didn't make much impact on the world outside South America, but in their home continent they were one of the biggest and most influential bands of all time..."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the podcast episode, offering listeners a thorough understanding of Los Shakers' journey, their musical innovations, and their lasting impact on Latin American rock music.