Luis Rafael Valdez Vargas know for artistic name as Luis Vargas became involved in popular music after meeting a local musician who taught him how to play guitar. After deciding to pursue a solo career, Luis Vargas self-produced his first single, promoted and sold by himself. Supported by local artists Pedro Pimentel, Artemio Sánchez, Antonio Carrasco, and Anthony Santos, his music began being played by local radio stations. After issuing his music through an independent label called José Luis Records, Sony International signed him in 1996, releasing Volvio el Dolor in 1997.

Luis Vargas is one of the Dominican Republic’s most popular bachata musicians. When he began in the early 1990s, Antony Santos, considered by some to be one of the most influential bachata musicians of all time, was his güira player.

Vargas, who sings and plays his own lead guitar, was one of the first to play bachata with the electric guitar – an innovation which contributed to greatly expanding bachata’s popularity. He has spent increased amounts of time in the US in recent years, being one of the most active live bachata acts in the last several years.

Eventually, Luis Vargas did make a comeback. Most Dominicans never lost faith in his return and he is just as popular now as he ever was. His record label, however, has changed his image from a humble bachata singer to a more urban Reggaeton style.

Antony Santos and Luis Vargas have also been known for many rivalries over the internet and on stage, though in recent years, they seem to have buried the hatchet. He has a sister that lives in Lawrence, Massachusetts.