This podcast contains graphic language, scenes of violence and drug use that are not suitable

for all audiences. Discretion is advised, Episode 1, Death Note.

It's May 15, 1992. A hot, humid night in Kuyagansi, Naloa. And Chalino Sanchez is in a crowded night

club wearing a suit. Chalino almost always wore some kind of suit, along with cowboy boots,

a matching belt, a white tihana like the good guys wore in old American westerns, and most of the

time, a loaded gun. He's with his band, Los Amables de Norte, and they're about to perform in front

of a capacity crowd. They're at a place called Salón Bugambillas, a large old-school show hall

like the one your sister's getting to get on might have been held at.

It's a momentous night for Chalino. He's about to sing on a big stage in his hometown for the

first time in his seven-year career. But Nacho Hernandez, Chalino's band leader, notices that

something's off. Nacho says Chalino's on edge, and he's wearing his gun on stage,

which he hadn't done in some time.

If you google Chalino's name, one of the first things that pops up is a clip from this show.

The video is a classic 90s home movie, a shaky hand pans the camera lens around the packed room,

Chalino standing near the side of the stage, the tuba's popping, there's a man in a black t-shirt

pumping his fist, and the crowd is going wild.

Chalino finally starts to move, effortlessly, as if gliding on air, escorted by a group of models

all dressed in white. Chalino climbs on stage and nearly crashes into Nacho, who is already

tickling the accordion.

As the show goes on, the crowd pushes all the way to the edges of the stage, so close to where

Chalino is standing that they can reach out and touch him.

Nacho says it's a beautiful night, everyone's happy,

...