Founded in 1898, Mariachi Vargas emerged as one of the most celebrated mariachi groups, and acquired national success upon its presentation at the inaugural celebration of President Lázaro Cárdenas in 1934. Musical director Rubén Fuentes (who joined the group in 1944) would go on to arrange music for many of Mexico's celebrated singers and composers such as Lola Beltrán, Pedro Infante and José Alfredo Jiménez.