Sapo was an early 1970's San Francisco-based Latin-rock band now considered one of the seminal and influential bands from the period. The band originally had ten pieces including congas, timbales, drums, two guitars and a four piece horn section. Sapo was formed just as Malo's song "Suavecito" hit the national top ten charts. Richard Bean, the singer and co-writer of the song, left Malo and formed Sapo with his brother horn player Joe Bean. Richard wrote Sapo's songs and was the lead singer and timbale player.