Los Chicos, a Puerto Rican boy band formed in 1978 by Eric Laboy, originated from the island’s vibrant pop scene; the group, managed later by Carlos Alfonso Ramirez, quickly gained traction in Puerto Rico and Central and South America. Their first documented lineup on record featured Chayanne (Elmer Figueroa Arce), Tony Ocasio (Héctor Antonio Ocasio Cedeño), Rey Díaz, and Jose Miguel “Migue” Santa. Los Chicos' breakthrough came with the 1980 single "Para Amar", followed by the album Para Amar (1980) and the hit "Puerto Rico" (1982), establishing the band as a regional pop force. Internal conflict hit publicly in 1983 when three original members—Rey, Migue, and Chayanne—left the group; Chayanne moved into a solo career soon after, while Tony continued with a rebuilt lineup that added Fredrick “Tico” Santana Contreras, Alejandro “Casito” Farinacci Fontecha, and Alejandro José Rodríguez, later also featuring Jorge “Giro” López on late-period releases such as Bailando (1983) and the film Conexión Caribe (1984). After lineup changes and declining popularity, Los Chicos disbanded in the late 1980s. Members such as Chayanne and Jorge Lopez pursued solo careers, while the band’s legacy remains noted in Puerto Rican pop history. Two members of the group have since died: José Miguel “Migue” Santa died on March 19, 2019, and Héctor Antonio “Tony” Ocasio Cedeño died on December 23, 2025, reported as a heart attack.
