EASTSIDE LEGENDS - THE CARLOS BROTHERS (AKA THE SHADOWS)

Jimmy Carlos and Pete Antoniano were brothers who shared the same mother but had different fathers. They are credited as being the first Los Angeles-based act to bring the Mexican duet style into rhythm & blues.

They grew up in the Cabrillo projects in the city of Lon Beach, California. Their early influences were all-black doowop & R&B groups.

  Jimmy & Pete went to Banning High School in the city of Wilmington, California. There, they began performing under the name the Shadows at talents shows  and shows for local car clubs. They were asked to come and perform at El Monte Legion Stadium  at a show headlined by Ritchie Valens. Ritchie was impressed by duo and told them he would talk to his manager Bob Keane of Del-Fi Records. At the time Jimmy was 17 and Pete was 15.

  They recorded "Under Stars Of Love" and "Jungle Fever" under the name the Shadows. It was released in September of 1958 but the record went nowhere possibly because using the name the Shadows, they were thought to be black. "Under Stars Of Love" is a classic doo wop tune.

You May Listen To The Shadows "Under Stars Of Love" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37VA3anuusM

You May Listen To The Shadows "Jungle Fever" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42aKIWJrHzg

For their next single, the duo recorded "Tonight" and "Come On Let's Dance" For that session they were joined by Ritchie Valens who plays guitar on both sides. The record was released just one month after Ritchie's tragic death in February 1959. Fot this release they used the name The Carlos Brothers.

You May Listen To The Carlos Brothers "Tonight" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v00IbjSuqUU

You May Listen To The Carlos Brothers "Come On Let's Dance Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EluqGkRslDI

Once again the duo record a classic doo wop with "Tonight" and it is an Eastside gem.

Later in 1959, Jimmy & Pete would record "It's Time To Go" and "Little Cupid"

You May Listen To The Carlos Brothers "Little Cupid" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaXwU1nxrqQ

In 1960 the brothers would record an updated version of La Bamba" and it would be released with "It's Time To Go" as the flip side. For the track " La Bamba" Ritchie's original track was used, Bob Keane added some violins and the Blossoms, a Los Angeles girl group added the backing.

You May Listen To The Carlos Brothers "La Bamba" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrkfCgmso48

You May Listen To The Carlos Brothers "It's Time To Go" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqCQ1y3nK2s

It's Time To Go" is another outstanding ballad.

The Carlos Brothers would quit music for a while but returned in 1963 for producer H.B. Barnum. They cut "Meet My Town", a sort of Beach Boys-styled tribute to Los Angeles and "I Realize". These tracks were released on the Zen label.

You May Listen To The Carlos Brothers "I Realize" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGeUwz4jhYw

Although I have not been able to verify this I believe this single by the Tri-Dells to be the Carlos Brothers. Recorded in 1960 for the Eldo label "Baby I Love You So"/"Little Do I Know" has the same Carlos Brothers sound and both sides are believed to be written by Jimmy Carlos. The back-up band is the Phantom's Band which backed The Safaris for the Eldo label on "Image Of A Girl"

Discography:

The Shadows
1958 - Under Stars Of Love / Jungle Fever (Del-Fi 4109)


The Carlos Brothers
1959 - Come On Let's Dance / Tonight (Del-Fi 4112)
1959 - It's Time To Go / Little Cupid (Del-Fi 4118)
1960 - La Bamba / It's Time To Go (Del-Fi 4145)
1963 - I Realize / Meet My Town (Zen 106)

The Tri-Dells??

1960 - Baby I Love You So/Little Do I Know"

THE CARLOS BROTHERS AS THE IMPERIALS PLAYING IN SAN FERNANDO IN APRIL 1959
RULIE GARCIA AKA JOHNNY CHINGAS ON BASS

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Solely for historical, educational and listening pleasure.