WATCH: Carin León Pays Tribute to Chilean Icon Zalo Reyes During Viña del Mar 2025 Performance
Courtesy of Premio Lo Nuestro.
Carin León is embracing Chilean music history on stage. On Feb. 26, the Mexican crooner covered iconic Chilean singer Zalo Reyes’ “Un Ramito De Violetas” during his debut performance at the Viña del Mar 2025 festival in Valparaíso, Chile. He also took home two awards, the Golden and Silver Gaviotas.
“Un Ramito De Violetas” was originally penned by Cecilia Evangelina Sobredo Galanes in 1974. Since then, the song about a supposed secret admirer has been covered by Reyes in 1985 and by Mi Banda El Mexicano in 1993. Reyes’ cover features a bass, guitar, and light percussion that makes way for his passionate vocals, unlike Mi Banda El Mexicano’s technobanda style, which is what it’s known for.
For León’s cover, he chose to go the Mi Banda El Mexicano route, more akin to his own style, mirroring their signature technobanda sound with laser-like synths and lively trumpets. During the cover, he said in Spanish, “Long live the great Zalo Reyes, long live Chilean music!” while carrying a Chilean flag over his shoulder. Moreover, he displayed photos of Reyes on stage as he sang the tune, making the cover more memorable for his audience.
Social media users are thrilled about his cover. An X user wrote in Spanish: “CARIN LEÓN SANG UN RAMITO DE VIOLETAS BY ZALO REYES, THIS PADRE IS TOTALLY CHILENIZADO🇨🇱🚬🚬#Viña2025.” Another X user commented in Spanish: “#Viña2025 Carin León doing a tribute to Don Zalo Reyes, I liked the guy!!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤩🤩🤩🤩👏👏👏👏👏.”
León teased the tribute before his performance. During an interview, he praised Chilean music, saying he’s a fan of artists like Los Prisioneros, Los Ángeles Negro, and Los Tres. He also revealed his plans to cover Reyes: “We have a surprise tonight, from the great Zalo – Mexicanized – but let’s see if you like it.”
Born in 1952, Reyes – aka Gorrión de Conchalí – was popular for his hits “Un Ramito De Violetas,” “Mi Prisionera,” and “Acorralado Entre Mis Lágrimas.” He was one of the first Chilean artists successful enough to broadcast his music on television programs in the 1980s. He passed away on Aug. 21, 2002, at age 69.
Viña del Mar 2025 continues today (Feb. 27) with artists like Incubus and The Cult. León recently revealed his upcoming performance alongside Becky G, DannyLux, and Edición Especial at the Brookside at the Rosebowl in Pasadena, CA (May 24).
