Binomio de Oro de América

Binomio de Oro de América is a vallenato musical group from Colombia. It was founded by lead singer Rafael Orozco and accordionist Israel Romero in the Caribbean Region of Colombia on June 16, 1976. The group grew up in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s and developed mainstream popularity in Venezuela, specially in the city of Maracaibo and in Mexico, mainly in the city of Monterrey.

Early years: The group was officially created by vallenato singer Rafael Orozco and accordionist Israel Romero on June 16, 1976. Both Orozco and Romero were students attending University classes in the city of Barranquilla. Romero had just recorded a Long Play with singer Emilio Oviedo, with strong influences from singer Jorge Oñate, the Lopez brothers, accordionist Colacho Mendoza and the Los Hermanos Zuleta who were the mainstream vallenato groups at the moment. Romero had been successful with the hit songs "Amanecemos Parrandeando" and "Digan lo que digan". Orozco had just recorded the songs "Cariñito de mi vida" by Diomedes Diaz, "Presentimiento" and "Adelante". The group recorded the long play "Binomio de Oro (album)" in 1977.

After Orozco: After the assassination of Orozco, Romero took the group under his management. He was able to maintain the group's popularity by hiring young talents and maintaining always a new style. Romero first hired Gabriel "El Gaby" García who was physically very similar to Orozco and impersonated him, the chorus was Jean Carlos Centeno and the other was Jorgito Celedón, as well as his accordionist nephew JF "El Morre" Romero. Their debut was in Venezuela in a national popular TV show contest "Premio Orquidea" which they won that year. Binomio de Oro then recorded the first album without Orozco titled "Todo Corazón (album)" featuring Romero siting along an empty chair implying that his partner was irreplaceable. The album also featured a song by Rafael Orozco titled "Solo para ti" which became an all time hit. In 1996 Jean Carlos Centeno and Jorgito Celedon became lead singers of the Binomio de Oro along with Romero as accordionist and his nephew after Garcia's departure. In 1999 singer Jorgito Celedon quit the group to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Junior Santiago. Later Junior Santiago and "Morre" Romero separated from the group to form their own vallenato group.