Ruta 69 / R69 Band Members
Musicians
Alexander Sacal (Paen)
Funny, chubby, creative Jewish bass player. My best friend in life. Loved pure, raw bottom-end bass — hated when players touched anything beyond the 3rd or 4th string. More soul than technique.
Rodrigo — Guitar (Pretender)
Claimed to be a guitarist but couldn’t play a single chord. Lied his way in until we discovered the bluff. Still, he’s part of the band’s story — he walked with us that night on Periférico when the name Ruta 69 was born.
Espinal — Guitar (Looked the Part)
Heart of gold, hands of stone. Couldn’t play well, but had long rockstar hair. For our first official photo, we turned his back to the camera so only his hair showed. That was our humor.
Sergio — Guitar
Later left music and became a Netflix Mexico actor. Surreal seeing him on the big screen after sweaty garage jams.
Archer — Drums
Rich kid with a poor soul. Funded partly by his dad. A good friend, left to study abroad.
Sonic (Arturo) — Drums
Petite, hyper, brainy. Started as our drummer. Not great with sticks, but sharp with analysis. A loyal friend for a while, until we drifted apart.
Doc — Guitar
Dreamer and skilled player, but over-explained technique more than feeling the music. Last heard still playing small bars.
Poncho — Bass
From Veracruz. Brilliant, professional, probably too good for us at the time. Left a mark.
Delay (Leo) — Lead Guitar
Magic incarnate. Walked in, picked up a guitar, and redefined us instantly. Replaced Doc in seconds. My sister said it best when he passed:
“Some musicians are born with their instrument attached to their hands.”
Pedro — Guitar
Trademark move: when someone messed up, he’d look at me and puff his cheek to signal who screwed up. Great shredder, funny, avoided confrontation.
Goku — Bass
One of the best we ever had. Young, insanely talented, full of fire. Tragically died in a car accident — just a year after Delay passed. Two punches to the gut. Forever remembered.
Number Two (Spack) — Guitar
Looked exactly like the cartoon character “Number Two.” Solid, reliable, nickname stuck for life.
Cast — Bass
A steady player who helped us through transitions.
Richie — Drums
Came after Sonic. Great drummer, strong energy, and still remembered in Guadalajara footage.
Adrián (“D”) — Guitar
Also a martial artist. Obsessed with kung fu, but could shred hard. Fun, loyal friend.
Regan — Keyboard
Nicknamed after Linda Blair’s vomiting scene in The Exorcist — classic brutal band humor. Key player on several tracks.
Bastian (Martín) — Bass
Played after Sonic’s return. Weak player but looked like Brad Pitt — sometimes that’s enough in rock.
Tony (Banano) — Guitar
One of my closest friends, still family. Loyal, funny, always ready to shred.
Pollo — Bass
Good guy, but too weak for my taste musically.
Abhey — Guitar/Bass
Great musician, bad human being.
Lola — ???
Honestly, barely remember.
Steiner — Guitar
Awesome player, stubborn as hell, but a true friend.
Luiggio — Bass
Amazing talent, but played with fear — something rock can’t forgive.
Jonny de la Peña — Guitar/Bass
A lifelong friend and excellent musician. Music runs in his veins.
Phoenix — Drums
Wannabe drummer” — band joke. Big dreamer, funny guy, and somehow his sister became part of our legend.
Sako — Guitar
First American musician in Ruta 69. Helped us evolve beyond Mexico City.
El Barto — Drums
Talented and resilient. Life hit him hard, but he kept playing.
Max Forzan — Vocals
The voice and the vision. Max carried the band through chaos, comebacks, and countless stages, shaping R69 into more than music — into myth. Known for his raw energy, fearless lyrics, and a presence that could silence or ignite a crowd in a heartbeat.
Dreamer, fighter, storyteller — the spark that kept the fire alive.
Producers, Staff and friends.
Abenamar — Visual Artistic Director
Brother in arms! Built our image with style and passion.Agustín & Ricardo Arteaga — Producers / Engineers
Brilliant, talented friends who shaped our sound.Danny — Personal Manager
Funny, loyal, and unforgettable.Danny Nuñez — Stage Manager
Mentor and friend.- Horacio Portales
He was the one who told me to fight for a dream. Together, we wrote “Huracán” and “Hasta el Cielo.” He was the first voice of rebellion, of rock and roll. Leon Granados — Sound Engineer
A legend on the mixing board. Left us too soon.Magila — Business Partner / Bodyguard / Friend
Drove us, protected us, stood by us. Deeply missed.Marco Bissi — Executive Producer
Legendary figure in major labels. Mentor and guide.Mr. Benjamin Wright — Legendary Producer
One of my closest friends in high-level music circles. Huge inspiration.Nanyo — First Designer
Helped craft the early Ruta 69 visual identity.Pablo Mikiray — Video Director
Talented, creative force behind our visuals.Pedro Marrufo — Stage Tech
A stage legend who always wanted to do more but couldn’t.- Rodrigo Cuevas
General Artistic Manager
This one is “a Tipazo” Polo — Owner of Iguana Records
Gave us our first real shot. Eternal respect.
