Biography

Jesus "El Flaco" Elizalde was born January 14, 1977, in the town of Navojoa, Sonora. Sons of regional Mexican music legend Lalo "El Gallo" Elizalde, Jesus and his brother Valentin not only displayed a talent for and interest in music, but were brought up steeped in its rich traditions. Jesus did not make his debut appearance until 2001, when he shared the stage at El Teatro del Pueblo in Obregon, Sonora, with Los Tigres del Norte. Nerve-racking though it was to perform with such veterans, El Flaco gave one of the spirited, unforgettable performances that would come to characterize his career. El Flaco was offered a deal with the powerful Monterrey-based Disa label, which released his debut record, entitled Perdonam. The record's success earned him invitations to perform in plazas and festivals all over Mexico and Baja California. Jesus' music was well received, though very much in the shadow of his brother Valentin "El Gallo de Oro" Elizalde, who was among norteño's most recognizable artists. His sophomore production, Dispuesto a Cambiar, generated radio hits like "Que Lavante la Mano" and "El Espejo." Shortly following the 2005 release of Jesus' third record, Las Mas Perdidas de Ramon Ayala, his brother Valentin was tragically murdered. In late 2006 Valentin, who was known to speak plainly about drug trafficking in his popular narcocorridos, was assassinated after a performance in Reynosa. The crime left Jesus as the only living recording artist of the Elizalde family and the center of a media storm. While heading efforts to pay his lost father and brother tribute through recordings and plans for a museum, Jesus signed a deal with Fonovisa for the release of his next production. Corazon de Acero was released in 2007 alongside his first single to hit the Billboard charts, "Culpable o No." ~ Evan C. Gutierrez