From a very young age, Lucho Cuéllar had a talent for music, but his name gained even more recognition when he joined Grupo 5. In an interview with La República, the singer spoke about why he is not invited to the anniversaries of this orchestra. Additionally, he talked about Christian Yaipén, his project with Leonard León and Dantes Cardosa, and more.
Beginnings of Lucho Cuéllar
—From what age did you start working?
—I started working when I was nine years old. My dad emigrated to Venezuela and I had to help my mom sell sandwiches, martians, fruit, outside of school and on the beach. I also worked in children’s shows and as a clown in circuses.
Then, I started studying music, especially keyboard. The first orchestra I joined was through a casting they did in the program ‘Laura in America’. There they had a contest and I won. They told me that they were going to make me record an album, but until now I’m waiting for it.
Later, I formed the Luna Roja youth group. From there I jumped to the Son de la Ciudad orchestra, in which I worked for Ernesto Pimentel. At that time, I was 16 years old. I was also in Agua Bella and Los Shapis, as a musician. Later, I joined Super Kaliente, a group made up of the singers from Kaliente. I joined as a keyboardist and in the end they put me on lead vocals.
Then, Elmer ‘Chico’ Yaipén received a song of mine performing a song and he called me to join Grupo 5.
Team 5
—At first you didn’t want to accept the proposal to join Group 5, why?
—What happens is that I had already lived with Super Kaliente for a year, there was affection and the habit of being together. Entering Group 5 was a new experience, she was afraid of the unknown and she was still young.
But many things happened that were not in my favor within Super Kaliente and I decided to call Elmer (Yaipén). I asked him if the invitation to join Group 5 was still pending. He told me yes and I went to play. The next day, I recorded ‘Who Heals’.
Lucho Cuéllar recorded ‘Quien cura’, a day after joining Grupo 5. Photo: composition LR/Lucho Cuellar/Grupo 5/Instagram
—Did the money you earned in Group 5 compensate for your work hours?
—We worked six days a week and there were two to three presentations on the weekends: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
More or less, between nine to ten concerts a week. For example, you arrived on a Monday at 8 am and they told us at 3 pm: ‘We’re going on a trip.’ We had a few hours to spend with the family and the hustle and bustle was very strong. The remuneration was very good and also according to it.
—Do you agree with the public who points out that in Group 5 there is no longer a diversity of voices and Christian Yaipén wants to sing all the songs?
—They have every right to do what they want because they are the owners, masters and lords of their company. If they see it convenient to work that way, you cannot say or complain or give an opinion. I think it depends on how you value yourself. You have to see if you are okay in a place where they do not take you into consideration and do not value you as they really should. In this case, I see that my fellow artists are so happy and comfortable. I don’t know if they will sing or not because I haven’t been to their concerts, but good for them anyway.

Group 5 celebrated 51 years of artistic career last March and invited international artists to their show at the National Stadium. Photo: LR composition / Instagram
—What would you say to the public that demands former members on the anniversaries of Group 5?
—The truth is, it doesn’t bother me or make me uncomfortable if they invite me or not. If they make that decision, it is up to each person, but I think that we have all contributed at the time. To build a house, you have to have a good foundation; If you don’t have that, you won’t be able to do it and we have worked on it. It doesn’t affect me and what doesn’t add to me, I’m not going to make subtract from me either.
I even got a Group 5 tattoo because it had a huge impact on my life; It gave me that lift I needed. So, the fact that they didn’t invite me to one of their events or that they downloaded my songs from the networks doesn’t mean that tomorrow I’m going to delete it because it has a lot of meaning. For me, it did contribute a lot and if it didn’t for them, I applaud them anyway.
Golden reunion with Leonard León and Dantes Cardosa
—How is the musical project you have together with Leonard León and Lucho Cuéllar going?
—This reunion thing started in times of pandemic, when the promoters called several singers and put on the reunion.
Then, we decided to just work with Dantes, Leonard and I together. We don’t meet up with anyone else. We have already agreed that there are only three of us. We already have presentations scheduled for July, September and November, and you can hire us at 982445840. You can also follow me on my social networks: Lucho Cuéllar and the Incorrigibles de la Cumbia, to see when my concerts will be.
—In the song you released with Leonard and Dantes, you mention the phrase “Don’t be like that Chris who wants to eat everyone”, was it a hint to Christian Yaipén?
—Is he the only Chris on earth who wants to eat everything? I’m not one to send hints, I like direct things. For my part, it’s not for him.
Personal life
—Do you feel that fame blinded you at some point in your life?
—Fame, money, sometimes blind and disturb a person’s brain. They don’t make you see reality, but only the material, what you can get quickly with money. It makes you act like you’re some crazy goat walking around.
I know that at the time fame made me very sick; I cannot deny that it was a stage in my life, I remember it. There are little things that do make me think a lot, like not having seen my children grow up and not being able to spend much time with them.
I have had many difficult moments, I have fallen to the floor crying as if I were a child, but little by little we are learning.
—Any dream that you still want to fulfill?
—In the professional field, my dream was to record with Lucho Paz and I already achieved it, we have recorded a wonderful feat. And personally, I would like to have a child in the future. I’m going to turn 40 and I would like to do it, but it will be at the stage when I leave music. When I dedicate myself to having a show.
—How are you doing with Lucho Cuéllar & los Incorrigibles de la Cumbia? How did the name of your group come about?
—We were in Europe. I just shared the stage with Lucho Paz and I am going to return, God willing, in December. I’m doing great, at a slow, safe pace, without making much noise and without looking at anyone. I don’t worry about the rest, I worry about myself and the people around me because now I am the axis of a company.
My final message to the public is that on social networks they no longer continue to tell me why I sing such a song. I recorded it first, I made it known and it does not belong to that group, but to some composer. If I perform the songs of other groups it is because the public asks for it, remembers it in my voice and I have to please whoever pays me.