You Found That Eastside Sound: EASTSIDE BANDS

The Original Mixtures

Top (Left To Right)

Delbert Franklin (sax)

Johnny Wells (percussion)

Jess Poras (sax)

Leroy "Zag" Soto (bass)

Eddie De Robles (drums)

Seated (Left To Right)

Steve Mendoza (keyboards)

Danny Pollack (guitar)

Autry Johnson (horns) (not pictured)

The Second Mixtures:

Clockwise from bottom left

Randy Thomas (Wurlitzer Electric piano)

Wayne Edwards (drums)

Delbert Franklin (sax)

Johnny Wells (percussion)

Leroy "Zag" Soto (bass) center

Mike Hufford (Guitar)

The Mixtures began as a group called the Playboys at Oxnard High School in 1957 with members Steve Mendoza, Del Franklin & Jess Poras. Later Dan Pollock, Leroy Soto and Eddie DeRobles joined the group. In 1960, they changed their name to the Mixtures because they were a mix of races, Chicano, African-American and white. They became very popular playing at local gigs, dances and weddings.

They were first discovered by Dick Moreland, a promoter in the Oxnard area. Dick would later go on to be a disc jockey on radio station KRLA in Los Angeles, Dick introduced the group to Eddie Davis became their promoter & producer. Eddie took the Mixtures into the studio where they backed singer Cookie Comp and recorded "I Won't Cry" which Eddie released on his First President label (First President 431).

You May Listen To Cookie & The Mixtures - "I Won't Cry" Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpcjCo8LX4s

The Mixtures would next back vocal duo Harvey Willis & Phillip Tucker on "Darling )Please Bring Your Love)" and "Friendship released in March 1961 on the Rampart label (Rampart 611). The backing vocals were done by the female group, The Blossoms though uncredited.

This was follwed by by the release of Phil & Harv's "The Facts Of Love" and "Sweeter Than Candy" released on the Rampart label (Rampart 612)

Following this release, Harvey Willis had some legal issues and he was replaced by The Mixtures' Delbert Franklin. In 1962 Phil & Del recorded "Don't Play With Love" and "My Girl" released on the Linda label (Linda 105).

Their final single as Phil & Del was "It Hurts Me" and "Those Feelings" released on the Rampart label (Rampart 649) in 1966.

Phil & Del would go on to record as the Souljers in 1966.

Their first single for the Rampart label was "Chinese Checkers"/"Poochum" in 1966 (Rampart 648)

Their second single for Rampart in 1966 was "Gonna Be A Man"/"Crazy Little Things" (Rampart 649)

As The Mixtures were honing their skills they became proficient in Latin, R&B and Surf music. In 1961 The Mixtures became the house band on Friday nights at Eddie Davis' Rainbow Gardens in Pomona where they played to packed houses. They also became the house band for Eddie Davis' television show "Parade Of Hits" on KCOP channel 13 in Los Angeles. The show ran for 28 weeks sponsored by White Front Department Stores. The station manager at KCOP had refused to let The Mixtures into the studio because they were of mixed race but Eddie Davis pulled the necessary legal strings. The show was hosted by Larry McCormick who went on to be a newscaster for for KTLA channel 5 in Los Angeles.

The Mixtures first single was "Rainbow Stomp Part 1" and Rainbow Stomp Part 2" released in March 1962 on the Linda label (Linda 104)

Their second single was "Jawbone" and "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" in September 1962 on the Linda label (Linda 106)

The Mixtures third single was "Olive Oyl" and "Canadian Sunset" in November 1962 released on the Linda label (Linda 108)

The Mixtures fourth single was "Poochum" and "Tiki" in March 1963 released on the Linda label Linda 109)

The Mixtures fifth single was "The Last Minute" and "Sen-Sa-Shun" in July 1964 (Linda 115)

Their sixth and final single was "Chinese Checkers" and 'Dig These Blues" in December 1965 (Linda 113)

The Mixtures Holiday Fan Club Single

The group would go through member changes in 1964 and 1965. Dan Pollock left the group replaced by Mike Hufford who would later be replaced by Andy Tasso (of The Romancers). The group faced many racial discrimination issues over the years and never really got the recognition or the opportunities that they deserved. The Mixtures would break-up after 1965.

The Mixtures recorded one album "Stompin' At The Rainbow" which was recorded live at the Rainbow Gardens in February 1962 and released on the Linda label (Linda 3301). Vinyl copies of this album are hard to find but the album including the Mixtures six singles was released on LP and CD by Minky Records in April 2011. The CD is readily available through Minky, Amazon and where fine CDs are sold. We will revue the album on a post in the Vinyl Classics section.