The Cruzados were formed in 1983 by the members of The Plugz, featuring members Tito Larriva, Tony Marsico, Steven Hufsteter, Chalo Quintana, The band's self-titled album on Arista Records, Cruzados, was released in 1985 as well as their second album After Dark in 1987.
Quintana played drums for Bob Dylan, Izzy Stradlin & the JuJu Hounds and Social Distortion.
Marsico became bassist for Bob Dylan, Matthew Sweet, Neil Young, Roger Daltrey and Marianne Faithfull.
In 2020, bassist Tony Marsico restarted the Cruzados and released a new album with members Ron Young, Loren Molinare, Mark Tremalgia and Rob Klonel.
Jenny Morris included a cover of the Cruzados song "Rising Sun" on her 1987 album, Body and Soul.