Slain banda star's family pay tribute in new work

By Ayala Ben-Yehuda

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Seven months after Valentin Elizalde's death, the slain banda star's relatives are keeping the dynasty going with their own work.

On July 3, Universal Music Latino released "Mi Ultima Bohemia ... En Vivo," a collection of songs Elizalde recorded live at the grave of his father, "El Gallo" Elizalde.

The only survivor of the November shooting that killed the 27-year-old Elizalde was his cousin, producer/bandleader Fausto "El Tano" Castro Elizalde. The latter's "Dedicado a Ti" with La Banda Guasavena has sold 21,000 copies in the United States since its April release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Far from trying to take the band on its own path, "we want to continue with (Valentin's) legacy, God willing, for many years with the band and keep doing shows and albums in his honor," El Tano Elizalde said.

The late singer's girlfriend, Natalie Fernandez, and archival footage of Elizalde appear in the video for the single "Solo Un Sueno."

El Chico followed May 22 with his own album of songs, many of them previously recorded by his brother, on Universal Latino. With accompaniment by La Banda Guasavena, the album "De Un Elizalde Para Un Elizalde" has sold 9,000 copies stateside.

In contrast, Jesus "El Flaco" Elizalde's "Corazon de Acero" on Fonovisa, which was released April 3, does not cover material from his late brother.

"Over time, what will make him stay or be successful is that he will be himself," Fonovisa VP/general manager Alfonso Larriva said. An emphasis on tributes "will pigeonhole the artist ... He'll always be linked to the tragedy."

"Corazon de Acero" has sold 6,000 copies in the States, more than El Flaco's previous efforts combined.

La Tricolor radio network program director Napo Sanchez said Valentin Elizalde's younger siblings previously focused on working Mexico's Pacific Coast. But now there's an effort "to internationalize them. Their careers are just barely starting."

Reuters/Billboard