La Original Banda El Limón Celebrates 60 Years of Sinaloan Tradition: ‘What Is Well Cemented Continues’

La Original Banda El Limón de Salvador Lizárraga, one of the longest-running Sinaloan bands in the genre, is celebrating its 60th anniversary and is preparing to celebrate throughout 2025.

“I am happy to announce that Alex Lora, frontman of El Tri, has joined our celebration with one of his songs, “La Raza Más Chida,” which we will unveil in due time,” reveals Juan Lizárraga, grandson of the group’s founder and current music producer, in an interview with Billboard Español. “There are several guests for duets that we will be announcing in the near future.

“We would like to include some of the vocalists who have been in the band, like Julio Preciado,” continues Lizárraga, referring to the first official singer not only of La Original Banda El Limón but of any banda music of its kind.

La Original Banda El Limón was formed in 1965 in a small town in Sinaloa called El Limón de los Peraza, from which it took its name. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Banda El Recodo de Don Cruz Lizárraga, it began as a wind band and, already with a defined style and an earned reputation, served as accompaniment for great stars such as Lola Beltrán, José Alfredo Jiménez and Antonio Aguilar. In 1990 they released their first album, Puro Mazatlán, with which they innovated by putting their own vocalist in a Sinaloa band for the first time.

Since then, the band has released more than 50 albums, 10 of which have appeared on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart and seven on the Regional Mexican Albums chart. The group has also placed 33 songs in Regional Mexican Airplay, reaching No. 1 with “Al Menos” (2010) and “Di Que Regresarás” (2011), among other achievements. Banda El Limón has received multiple awards such as Latin Grammys for best banda album, twice, for Soy Tu Maestro (2010) and La Original y Sus Boleros De Amor (2013), as well as the Billboard Mexican Music Award for Excellence in Regional Mexican Music in 2012.

On Jan. 29, the group received recognition from the Promotores Unidos USA association in Las Vegas, kicking off his anniversary celebrations.

Today, Don Salvador Lizarraga’s grandchildren, who call him papá, carry on his legacy since his passing in 2021. One of them, producer Juan Lizárraga, talks with Billboard Español about their accomplishments, their upcoming plans and the possibility of one day seeing La Original play alongside music peers like Banda El Recodo and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón.

How great is the responsibility to remain relevant after six decades?

I would start by saying that I am very excited. Time goes by very fast; ten years ago we were celebrating our 50th anniversary with a huge concert at the Zócalo in Mexico City, something that marked our history. The legacy of my papá Salvador is something that must be dignified, something that we must work hard on. My brother Carlos, my brother Andrey, Francisco and I learned from him as a professional, but also as the great gentleman he was. This celebration is a dream come true for my dad, even though he is no longer here, and for us who are carrying on his legacy.

Characters like Don Cruz Lizárraga (from Banda El Recodo) and Don Salvador Lizárraga built a very important part in the history of regional Mexican music. Did your father realize that?

My dad used to tell us that he couldn’t imagine what was going to happen to his band. At the time, the only thing he thought about was bringing home the bread. People like him and Don Cruz Lizárraga loved music and in it they found their family’s livelihood. They were not looking for success; they just enjoyed what they did. It has been a great journey in which many characters have left their lives to achieve that the bands are positioned as an important part of Mexican culture.

What is it that keeps Sinaloa’s bands alive?

There are songs that are 30 years old and are still hits. That is what makes a group great, that makes the difference. It is with music that we really transcend and remain relevant. As long as there are singers and musicians who love the band, it will never stop and will continue to be strong. Banda El Recodo and La Original Banda El Limón are recognized for their longevity, but we cannot overlook what Banda MS has done. In twenty years, they have achieved what it took others twice as long. La Arrolladora also had its golden age. Banda Los Recoditos too. In short, there are many that continue to dignify regional Mexican music.

Fashions come and go, but what is well cemented continues. It is like when a hurricane passes and does not knock down a palm tree; it will shake it, it will bend it, but it is well planted and will not knock it down. Banda sinaloense music already has a hard-earned place.

What do you have planned to celebrate these 60 years?

I am happy to announce that Alex Lora, frontman of El Tri, has joined our celebration with one of his songs, which we will unveil in due time. He is delighted with how the arrangements turned out because we took care of the two essences, we achieved a point of balance. At the end of the day, we are enhancing Mexican music. We are focused on making collaborations with artists that are joining us. It’s not about doing songs by La Original Banda El Limón; we did that not too long ago. We want the guest to choose the song, and most importantly, we want them to enjoy banda music. As for a party, we also have it in mind and we are working on it.

Throughout your history you have had some great collaborations, is there one you remember in particular?

Fortunately there are several, with very important artists like Jenni Rivera, Juanes and Becky G, but one that was definitely a big challenge was to be part of the tribute to Caifanes with “No Dejes Que.” Making it sound good with a band and making them like it was not easy, but they were very satisfied. All those moments make us feel happy and proud of our genre.

Will there be a time when we can see something together with Banda El Recodo and La Arrolladora?

With whoever, we are open. I believe that all our colleagues should have the idea of making our music continue to transcend, to make a team. I believe that there are no egos or envy, what we have are matters of negotiation. My dad used to say and he said it well: “Credits are not earned on a piece of paper or in an advertisement, they are earned on stage.” At least for La Original Banda El Limón, opening or closing is the least of it. We are very happy that Banda El Recodo and La Arrolladora are touring together. We wish that could be extended. There are many things that can be achieved if we all come together, to make a great team so that we can bring a strong musical history to the people.