In 1993, Ricky Naranjo began playing the drums for his father, Ruben Naranjo. He soon found himself booking gigs for Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers, and managing the band as well. Upon the passing of his father in 1998, many fans began to ask Ricky not if he was going to continue the band, but when. Ricky found himself in a tough position and decided that continuing the group was what his father would have wanted him to do. Thus Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers began.