WEEKEND REVIEWS : Pop and Music : Celebratory Concert Marks 20-Year Los Lobos Survival

“Will the Wolf Survive?” is, of course, Los Lobos’ signature tune. And while the question may remain enduringly rhetorical in song, the answer has long been entirely self-evident in actual practice, as the Wolves have not only survived but thrived long enough to celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band--the occasion for Saturday’s celebratory concert at the Greek Theatre in front of a full, raucous house.

Unlike most bands that make it to the two-decade point, Los Lobos seems too novel, too vital and too--yes--”alternative” to have been around for much more than a quarter of that time. With that vivacity always at the ready, Saturday’s show didn’t stop to expend much time on moist-eyed nostalgia, though it did offer the aura of historicity now and again--what with famous guest stars on hand, family members and friends pointed out in the audience prior to dusk, and occasional fleeting reminiscences by the players.

The 45-minute opening set was by a traditional Mexican party band--i.e., Los Lobos in an unplugged mode, playing the en espanol tunes that were the hallmark of their decade on the L.A. circuit of back yards and fellowship halls. “We probably played at your wedding,” quipped drummer Louie Perez, not exaggerating too outrageously.

Los Lobos bookended the electric, mostly English-language 90-minute set that followed with their own “One Time, One Night” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” two tragedy-laden--if fiercely hopeful--laments about the urban American experience. In between was much carousal of a high order, with the blues-based scorchers typically sung by Cesar Rosas alternating with the more lyrical and lovely ballad-based rock of David Hidalgo. The baroque touches that made the last album, “Kiko,” such a surprise also popped into the sound occasionally.

Reserved and anything but chatty on stage, Hidalgo is emotionally expressive enough in song, having one of the few voices around pretty enough to sing about a drive-by shooting and still sound comforting.

Among guest turns, John Hiatt’s counterpoint singing on two tunes was least ostentatious. String-bender extraordinaire Richard Thompson spat out his own trademark “Shoot Out the Lights,” sharing guitar runs with Hidalgo and Rosas. Blues legend John Lee Hooker tested the band’s improvisational skills most but got big, ovation-drawing results; during the last of his three numbers Hooker got off his chair, took off his shades and guitar and actually worked the stage , a sly guy even to this day.

Though it wasn’t mentioned on stage, Los Lobos’ current tour paves the way for the late August release of a double-CD retrospective, which will feature new material as well as stretch back to include much of the band’s extremely rare first album, a late-’70s acoustic indie release.