La Ley

by Drago BonacichIn 1987, ex-Aparato Raro member Rodrigo Aboitiz, ex-Paraiso Perdido member Andrés Bobe, and ex-Nadie member Shia Arbulu formed a techno-pop ensemble called la Ley. After issuing an EP, Aboitiz and Arbulu left the band to get involved in different projects. On the other side, Bobe teamed up with ex-Pancho Puelma drummer Mauricio Clavería, ex-Paraíso Perdido member Luciano Rojas, and newcomer Beto Cuevas (born Luis Alberto Cuevas Olmedo). After releasing the hit single Desiertos, the Chilean pop/rock ensemble emerged with their first full-length record, Doble Opuesto, featuring a cover of the Rolling Stones Angie. La Ley soon achieved a local rock sensation status. Unfortunately, founder Andrés Bobe passed away after a car accident in April 1994. Nevertheless, the group pressed on with ex-Anachena guitarist Pedro Frugone, releasing Invisible in 1995 and Vértigo three years later. The Grammy-winning MTV Unplugged, the follow-up to the Latin alternative pop/rock Uno, became their first top-selling album throughout Latin America. Based on this success, both WEA and Universal released compilations in 2002, followed by a new studio album, Libertad in 2003.