EASTSIDE BANDS - MARK & THE ESCORTS

                                        MARK & THE ESCORTS

Band Members:

Mark Guerrero (lead guitar)
Robert Warren (rhythm guitar)
Richard Rosas (bass)
Ernie Hernandez (drums)
Joe Cabral (Farfisa organ)
Trini Basulto (tenor sax)
Richard Magana (baritone sax)

Other Members:

Ricky Almaraz (lead vocals) joined in 1964
Richard Morin (vocals, guitar) joined in 1965
Richard Mojarro (vocals, guitar & harmonica) joined in 1966




Before getting into the Eastside band, Mark & The Escorts I want to direct you to Mark Guerrero's website which I strongly recommend you visit. His site is absolutely the best in documenting the history and the artists of the Eastside Sound and has been a major influence on me and my blog.

  Mark's extraordinary career and accomplishments as a singer, songwriter and performer are well documented. The site includes discographies, videos and vintage photos, flyers and business cards of Eastside artists. Of special interest are his Chicano Music Articles and Chicano Music Chronicles (radio interviews and music with some of the stars of the Eastside Sound).

PLEASE VISIT MARK GUERRERO'S SITE HERE:

http://www.markguerrero.com/


Mark Guerrero is the son of the late Eastside legend, Lalo Guerrero (see my post under EASTSIDE LEGENDS).
Mark graduated from James A. Garfield High School, East Los Angeles College and Cal State Los Angeles where he earned a B.A. in Chicano Studies.

The band, Mark & The Escorts was formed in 1963 and started playing surf instrumentals. The members were all in their early teens. The band honed their skills playing at parties, weddings and dances. Their music was influenced by the music of the times: rock & roll, rhythm & blues and the British Invasion. Their popularity grew and they played at Kennedy Hall & the Montebello Ballroom (two of my favorite venues).

The band came to the attention of manager & producer Billy Cardenas who booked them at lager venues and got them a gig at the Shrine Auditorium's "West Coast East Side Sound Show" in February, 1965.


In June, 1965 Billy took the band to Stereo Masters in Hollywood where they recorded two instrumentals, "Get Your Baby" and "Tuff Stuff". "Get Your Baby" was written by two members of The Mixtures, Randy Thomas and Wayne Edwards (see my post EASTSIDE BANDS). The tune was also recorded by two other Eastside bands I have featured, The Blendells and The Premiers. Mark Guerrero received writer credits for "Tuff Stuff" The record was released on the GNP Crescendo label (GNP Crescendo 350) in 1965.

In October, 1965, Mark & The Escorts recorded "Dance With Me" and "Silly Putty" released on the GNP Crescendo label (GNP Crescendo 358) in 1965. "Dance With Me" is a vocal track with an unknown singer Billy Cardenas brought into the studio. It was written by Ricky Sanchez and Benjamin "Spider" Velasquez of The Fabulous Desires (see my post EASTSIDE OLDIES PART 3). The tune was also recorded by The Blendells. "Silly Putty" is an instrumental track.

A French E.P. featuring all four of Mark & The Escorts' songs was released by Vogue Records.

In 1966, Mark & The Escorts would evolve into The Men From S.O.U.N.D.and then become Nineteen Eighty Four in 1969. In the Early 1970's they became The Mudd Brothers and later changed their name to Tango.

Mark continues to perform locally and is keeping the music alive.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MARK GUERRERO AND ALL OF THE BANDS HE PERFORMED WITH PLEASE VISIT HIS SITE FOUND HERE:


http://www.markguerrero.com/



NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical and educational purposes.