Although music formats have changed over the past four decades, vinyl records especially 45 RPM have maintained their popularity and remain the staple of hardcore collectors.
Due to limited pressings, regional only release, lack of promotion or unpopularity many 45 RPM records have become hard to find, some downright impossible.
There are records on my want list that I have looked for for years but have been unable to find or even find a scan of the 45 or a listing where the record has been bought or auctioned.
Though I will keep looking for these records until my last breath, I decided to take matters into my own hands and have some of the songs custom made into 45 RPM For me spinning the disc on a turntable is better than listening to it on a CD player.
I decided to label these pressings as white label promos on the Eastside Sound Record label. They are not originals but they are one of a kind.
LITTLE D & THE BELAIRES - "ARE YOU MY GIRL" (EASTSIDE SOUND 101-A)
In 1962 David & Ruben Robles from La Puente, California recorded this haunting doo wop tune "Are You My Girl" Originally released on the Raft label.
THE RUNABOUTS - "BY THE TIME I GET TO TEXAS" (EASTSIDE SOUND 101-B)
Unreleased as a 45 RPM single, this song is only available on the album, EASTSIDE REVUE on the Rampart label. It was recorded circa 1968 by The Runabouts from Los Angeles, California. The track is a parody of Jimmy Webb's "By The Time I Get To Phoenix"
THE STORYTELLERS - "ROSIE" (EASTSIDE SOUND 102-A)
The Storytellers of "You Played Me A Fool" fame hailed from San Gabriel, California. In 2007 they recorded "Rosie" a tribute to Rosie Hamlin. Don't know if it was every pressed as a 45 RPM but it was played on Steve Propes "45'S Show" in 2007.
THE BLAZERS - "SOMEBODY PLEASE" (EASTSIDE SOUND 102-B)
In 1997 Big Manny Gonzalez & his band The Blazers recorded a cover version of The Vanguards classic "Somebody Please" The East LA band, The Blazers released the song in 1997 on their "Just For You" CD. Not available in the 45 RPM format.
THE ROYAL CHESSMEN - "YOU MUST BELIEVE ME" (EASTSIDE SOUND 103-A)
The Royal Chessmen hailed from El Monte, California. In 1966 they recorded a cover of the Impressions "You Must Believe Me" as the A side of their Custom Fidelity 45 RPM single. Little did they know that the B side "Beggin' You" would become an Eastside classic.
The 45 RPM single on it's original Custom Fidelity label is impossible to find. "Beggin You" has been booted on the Riot and Angie labels but "You Must Believe Me" has not.
THE MONTEREYS - "DARLIN' (I LOVE YOU SO) (EASTSIDE SOUND 103-B)
The Montereys hailed from Bakersfield, California and in 1962 they recorded "Darlin' (I Love You So) for the Trans American label. This record is so rare that the only copy I have known to exist was once owned by rare doo wop collector, Dave Antrell.
AZTLAN - "SHOULD I TAKE YOU HOME"/"YOU SAY YOU LOVE ME" (EASTSIDE SOUND 104-A AND 104-B)
Though unconfirmed it is believed this band is from Brawley, California. The A-side "Should I Take You Home" is a cover of the Sunny and The Sunliners hit written by Sunny Ozuna. The B-side "You Say You Love Me" was written by Thomas Valle and G. Servin, probably members of the band. It is not known how many copies were pressed on Aztlan Records but probably 100 or so because thesingle is extremely hard to find. It is also not know what year it was recorded. If anyone has information on the band members, year of release or even has an original copy for sale please contact me.
RACHEL AND THE ORIGINALS - "I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER" (EASTSIDE SOUND 105-A)
Written and sung by Rachel Legerretta who sounds very much like Rosie Hamlin of Rosie and the Originals. The band hailed from National City, California. The record was released in March of 1962 on the Nite Star label and was mentioned in the March 10, 1962 issue of Billboard Magazine as having moderate sales potential though copies are rare.
VICKY TAFOYA AND THE BIG BEAT - "I'M SO YOUNG" (EASTSIDE SOUND 105-B)
An excellent female cover version of The Student's doo wop classic, "I'm So Young was never released as a single by Vicky Tafoya and The Big Beat. It was released in 2004 on compact disc "Meet The Beat" by the El Toro label
THE MONTEREYS - "DARLIN' (SEND ME A LETTER) (EASTSIDE SOUND 106-A)
The Montereys from Bakersfield, California recorded "Darlin' (Send Me A Letter) for the Trans American label in 1962. It is the flip side to "Darlin' (I Love You So)" (SEE EASTSIDE SOUND 103-B) The song was written by Hector Aguilar.
LIL LAVAIR AND THE FABULOUS JADES - "I'LL BE SO HAPPY" (EASTSIDE SOUND 106-B)
"Lil' Lavair" White and the Fabulous Jades hailed from San Bernadino, California. In 1968 they recorded a Norther Soul dance record "I'll Be So Happy" for the Lennan label.
THEE LAKESIDERS - "LONELY BLUE NIGHTS" (EASTSIDE 107-A)
Thee Lakesiders are a duo from Los Angeles, California comprised of Marie and Necalli.
In 2018 they recorded "Lonely Blue Nights" a cover of 1961 single written and recorded by Rosie Hamlin as Rosie And The Originals. As of now Thee Lakesiders version remains unreleased.
TRISH TOLEDO - "SOMEBODY PLEASE" (EASTSIDE SOUND 107-B)
Recently released by Trish Toledo from Carson, California is a cover version of the Vanguards classic hit single "Somebody Please" The song is from Trish' compact disc release entitled "Dedicated To The Songs I Love Volume 1"
JOHNNY SANCHEZ AND THE PROPHETS "FANTASY OF LOVE" (EASTSIDE 108-A)
The Prophets were a ten-piece R&B horn band that played the Los Angeles dance circuit from 1969 till the group disbanded in 1971. The band members were John Hubbard, vocals; Tom Sunjka, vocals; Johnny Sanchez, lead vocals; David Honjio, vocals and trumpet; Gordon young, valve trombone; Johnny Torigoe, sax; Ken Ito, keyboards; Dennis Hotta, bass; Michael Hotta, guitar; Ricky Ichimura, drums. The band was approached by a representative from Sounds Of Young Los Angeles for record tracks for their album. Being strictly a cover band the only original song they could come up with was a tune penned by Johnny Sanchez, lead vocalist entitled "Fantasy Of Love" The track is only available on the album "Like People: The Sound Of Young Los Angeles" released in 1971.
REE FLORES AND THE DUPRELLS - "NEVER LET ME GO" (EASTSIDE 108-B)
In 1960 Ree Flores from Riverside, California along with his band The Duprells recorded a cover version of Johnny Ace's "Never Let Me Go" for the Chelan label. The tune is classic Los Angeles doo wop.
C.J. AND SUNNY C. - CAROLINE (EASTSIDE 109-A)
The mega-rare Northern Soul dance record "Caroline" was recorded and pressed in 1967 by band members of the group C.J. And Sunny C. Only 200 copies were pressed and the band sold them at their gigs at the California Club in South Los Angeles. The tune was written by Eastside icon Manny Chavez and pressed on the Val-Vo label.
LOS FRIENDS - "CONFESION A FEELING" (EASTSIDE 109-B)
Don't know anything about the band Los Friends other than they are from Mexico. They recorded an excellent cover version of Sly, Slick, And Wicked "Confessin' A Feeling" (Bad Boys MS1001) classic from 1972. The record was released on the Royal's label.
TRISH TOLEDO - "ANGEL BABY" (EASTSIDE 110-A)
Unreleased up until now this is a cover version of the Eastside classic by Rosie & The Originals
SATIN GENTS - "LINDA" (EASTSIDE 110-B)
Originally a private collectors recording pressed on the Pasadena Recorders label, the Satin Gents hailed from Azusa, California. The tune is a cover version recorded by the Rhythm Gents on the Merri label in 1964.
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!! SOLELY FOR HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES & TO BE A GUIDE FOR RECORD COLLECTORS!!
