This site is dedicated to the preservation of the Eastside Sound and the music of the East Los Angeles area.I am looking for contributors who wish to share their music, memories and memorabilia. Please contact me at gaversa@aol.com. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. If you are a copyright owner & wish to have something removed please let me know. This site is soley for historical & educational purposes and for listening pleasure & geared toward the record collector.
Going on now through August 23, 2026, A GREAT DAY IN EAST LA - CELEBRADO THE EASTSIDE SOUND is an exhibition that explores the musical influences of the East Los Angeles artists who created the history and tradition of the Eastside Sound.
The exhibit showcases art, music, flyers, posters, publications, memorabilia and much much more. I recommed you check out this website for more information. Follow this link.
THE STARS OF EAST LA FULL VERSION WITH IMAGES 2025
"The Stars Of East LA Rhapsody" is a two song record that combines "The Stars Of East LA"a song written by Art Brambilla about the music and musicians of east Los Angeles in the 1960's and early '70's, and a new version of "Land Of 1000 Dances"
The singers and musicians on the recording, with the exception of two, are all veterans of the Eastside .Sound period.
The credits are on the back cover posted above and at the end of the video.The full song will be available on all platforns soon.
CLICK HERE FOR THE YOUTUBE VIDEO:
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!! SOLELY FOR HISTORICAL ABDE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
Editor's Note: I would like to thank Mr Rick Martinez for supplying biographical information as
well as his inspiration in the music field.
Singer-songwriter Rick Martinez was born in Denver, Colorado, the youngest of eleven siblings.
He attended Scottsbluff High School in Nebraska. There he started a band called Ricky and theGlow-rites..
In 1961, Rick moved to Sacramento, California and attended Norte Del Rio High School. After graduation he attended college at American River College for two years.
Rick made many trips to Hollywood with songs he had written to audition for record companies..
Pal Records in North Hollywood liked his material. The record label was owned by the great Paul Buff who became Rick's producer and manager.
Paul Buff released "Little Girl" and "Blue Tears" on his Emmy label. As with many artists with Latino artists after Ritchie Valens that wanted to break into the English-speaking market, songs were recorded under other names. Rick Martinez became professionally known as Ricky Dean. The record was released in August 1962..
This record is currently on my want-list.
Paul knew Bob Keane of Del-Fi Records who also liked Rick's songs. Keane re-released both songs
on the Del-Fi label in November 1962. Keane added female backing vocals to the records.
Bob Keane being the entrepreneur that he was decided to re-release "Blue Tears" as the A
side of a record and used a song Rick wrote with Paul Buff as the B-side "Little Betty Limbo"
in 1963. "Little Betty Limbo" was demoed at Pal Studios but the final version was recorded
at Radio Recorders.
Both songs "Little Girl" and "Blue Tears" made Billboiard Magazine and got lots of airplay in 1963.
Ricky was now on the same label with Johnny Crawford, Bobby Curtola, The Bobby Fuller Four and the late Ritchie Valens.
As Ricky tells me "First songs I wrote were "Little Girl" along with "Blue Tears" which I wrote for my mother Paula who passed away in 1960....which was one of my favorite songs along with
"Please Don't Dance With Me"
Rickey's two songs "Goodbye Jan" and "Please Don't Dance With Me" were released on a small label
JCR Records which stood for Joe, Chuck and Rick. The record was distributed by Art Laboe's
Original Sound Sales Corporation possibly in late 1963 or 1964.
This record too is currently on my want list.
When on tour Rickey was backed by The Ventures and The Champs. He was just a youngster and did shows with Jimmy Clanton, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Crests and Johnny Burnette. He met other teen artists, Paul Anka, Bobby Vee, Brenda Lee, Paul and Paula and Terry Stafford.
Just when Ricky was getting recognized and known he got drafted into the Army as did three of his brothers. He was a morse code radio operator. He could receive and transmit 36 words a minute.
Most of the buddies in his unite were sent to Viet Nam. Ricky was ready to go but for whatever reason and by the Grace of God, Ricky and ten others remained at Fort Ord in California,
Ricky Dean returned to the recording scene in late 1967 to record "Flowers" a song he wrote while
in the Army dedicated to all those who served in Viet Nam and in the war. Songwriter credits go to Ricky and Paul Buff who was also the producer. Allison Buff is the female vocalist on the record.
"I'll Never Love Another" is the B-side of the record written by Ricky. Allison Buff provides the
backing vocals. The record was released in 1968 on Art laboe's Original Sound label.
Ricky wrote but never put to vinyl a few other outstanding songs, "Do You Still Love Me",
"Bikini", and "Blue Christmas Day"
Ricky had the best time ever singing and knowing some great artists. He has been married for 57 years to a girl who lived across the street. They raised three boys.
Again my thanks to Mr Ricky Dean Martinez. He wrote and recorded some really great songs which I
truly enjoy listening to.
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!! SOLELY FOR HISTORICAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
Just what is behind the black label Whittier 45s by Thee Midniters. I really don't know. I am hoping someone reading this blog and posta comment if they know.
These records do not show up on any Midniters discography nor on any music and record internet sites like Discogs or 45Cat. There is no information in any book or record guide that I have been able to locate. Therefore I can only speculate. Are they reissues? Are they bootlegs?
Eddie Torres who owned Whittier records did reissue some of the original Whittier 45s but with different labels.You can find my list and scans on my blog. On some he used ablum tracks as the A or B side so that collectors could get new songs that they didn't have on 45.
But when and why? I know that some labels, Dottie for instance reissued 45s in the late 1960's so if these are legit Eddie Torres reissues I would put them as being issued in the 1968-1970 range after the band had broken up. I could very easily be wrong and I hope that someoue out there can correct me.
I have seven such records and I hope that there are more. If anyone has any that are not on this post I would love to have scans of such records. Please leave any and all comments on this post.
WHITTIER 500XX "Love Special Delivery" b/w "Don't Go Away"
WHITTIER 501XX "It'll Never Be Over For Me" b/w "Thee Midnite Feeling"
WHITTIER 674 "Sad Girl" b/w "Heat Wave"
WHITTIER 693 "Empty Heart" b/w "I Need Someone"
WHITTIER 694 "That's All" b/w "It's Not Unusual"
WHITTIER 695 "Brother, Where Are You" b/w "Heat Wave"
WHITTIER 706 "I Found A Peanut" b/w "Are You Angry"
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!! SOLELY FOR HISTORICAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES!!
The dA Center For The Arts has been hosting an exhibition, Sound Of Pomona whic runs till February 24, 2024, More information here: https://www.dacenter.org/soundsofpomona
You too can find that Eastside Sound. I have been asked many times about how to listen to the music and artists on my blog. Many songs can be heard on my YouTube channel. Please visit my YouTube channel EastLAGuy and click subscribe.
Back in April, 2022 I received an email from Ray Suarez, son of Raul Suarez, lead guiartist of The Blue Satins. Ray informed me that his father had passed away in 2020 and that he was putting together an album of Blue Satins recordings. He offered me a copy of the record which I present her as a token of my gratitude and in memory of Raul Suarez. Thank you Ray!!
EAST LOS PRESENTS THE BLUE SATINS (Axl Records 2021)
Side A
Scarlet 45
My Wife Can't Cook
You Don't Know Me
Salesian High School Rock & Roll Show April 19, 1964
Summertime
Love Lights
My First Love
Side B
Salesian High School Rock & Roll Show October 18, 1964
Help Yourself
Oh-Pu-Pi-Do (With The Sisters)
The Bounce
Revisited (2004)
Sensation
Blue Satins selections from my You Tube channel you may listen here:
Scarlet 45RPM
Salesian High School Rock & Roll Show April 19, 1964
Summertime:
Love Lights:
My First Love:
Salesian High School Rock & Roll Show October 18, 1964
Released on the SOYLA label in circa 1969-1970, LIKE PEOPLE THE SOUNDS OF YOUNG LOS ANGELES is a very rare LP. Possibly only 500 were pressed.
The LP was a youth-oriented, non-profit compilation of different teen musicians who were part of the organization The album features a range of different music styles, folk, rock, funk jazz and soul.
TRACK LIST:
Side 1
Cold Duck - Cold Duck (On Ice) Parts 1 & 2
Folk - Oh My Darling
Free Road - Barbara
L&M Jazz Quartet - Serenade To A Chicken Wing
Truth - Time Is Running Out Part 1 & 2
Side 2
Invaders Underground - Ram Shack Part 1 & 2
Free Road - My feelings
Folk - A Helping Hand
L&M Jazz Quartet - Blues For Mary
The Profits - Fantasy Of Love Part 1 & 2
.
There are two songs on this LP of interest to Eastside Sound collectors.
Cold Duck - Cold Duck (On Ice) Part 1 & 2
Band Members:
Jose Cuadra, lead vocals, trumpet, percussion
Eddie Estrada, guitar
Gregory Smith, keyboard, vocals
Victor Barrientos, drums
George Garcia, bass
This track is a fairly straight forward jazz/rock/funk fusion mix with horns reminiscent of The Jimmy Castor group.
You May Listen To Cold Duck - Cold Duck (On Ice) Part 1 & 2 Here:
Mark Guerrero began playing in Rock & Roll bands at the age of 12. He led the popular East Los Angeles band, Mark and The Escorts who recorded two singles for GNP Crescendo Records. Mark has also recorded as a solo artist for Ode Records (produced by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Lou Adler), Capitol Records and his group Tango for A&M Records. His songs have been recorded by such artists as Herb Alpert, Trini Lopez, Chan Romero and his late father Lalo Guerrero, known as the father of Chicano Music. Mark has performed in concert with his own bands and with Redbone, Eric Burdon, El Chicano, Tierra, Lalo Guerrero and many others. As a Chicano and East LA music historian, Mark has written over several hundred articles, hosts a radio podcast, interviewed hundreds of artists, has been a guest on numerous radio and television programs, consulted for museums and lectured at universities. Mark's 1972 song and record, "I'm Brown" has been twice displayed in 2009 and 2022 at the Grammy Museum in an exhibit called "Songs Of Conscious Sounds Of Freedom"
Mark Guerrero's "East LA Music Stories" is a series of interviews with artists who are part of the history of the music that has emerged from East Los Angeles. Mark interviews Eastside legends such as Little Willie G, Chan Romero, Little Ray Jimenez, Lawrence Perez of The Premiers and Sal Murillo of the Blendells. Sit back and listen as Mark takes you on a journey back in time in the artists own words to when the Eastside Sound was heard on local radio stations and at venues in the greater Los Angeles area and beyond.
Links for each program are provided:
Episode 1: Anthony Baray Of The Emeralds
Episode 2: Bobby Rodriguez of The Counts, Etalons, Impalas, Enchantments
Episode 3: Little Willie G of Thee Midniters, Malo
Episode 4: Geree of the Village Caller, Chico, & El Chicano
Episode 5: George Ochoa of Yaqui
Episode 6: Lawrence Perez of The Premiers
Episode 7: Sal Murillo of the Blendells
Episode 8: Chan Romero, musician, singer
Episode 9: Bobby Avila, East LA musician
Episode 10: Ramon "Little Ray" Jimenez of Thee Midniters, Progressions
Episode 11: Art Brambila, manager & producer in the 1970's
Episode 12: Hank Barrio of Elijah
Episode 13: Tom Bray of Elijah
Episode 14: Bobby & Joey Delgado of the Delgado Brothers
Episode 15: Eddie Delgado of The Ambertones
Episode 16: Max Uballez of Romancers, Macando
Episode 17: Orlando Zamora of The Sportsmen
Episode 18: Mike Aversa of Mickey & The Invaders and Dyna-Might
Episode 19: Jack D'Amore of The Runabouts, Royal Checkmates and The Emeralds
Episode 20: Danny Diaz, guitarist of Sal Chico, The Show Men, The Carpetbaggers, Ruben Guevara's Con Safos, Chico and Andy Tesso & The Rockers
Episode 21: Ernie Hernandez of Mark & The Escorts, The Men From S.O.U.N.D., 1984 and Tango
Episode 22: John Valenzuela of Tango
Episode 23: Fred Rivera of The Saints, Eddie James & The Pacific Ocean & Genesis
Episode 24: Joe Espinoza of The Village Callers and Chico
Episode 25: Art Sanchez of Olde Tyme Religion and Yaqui
Episode 26: George Delgado of The Premiers
Episode 27: Ruben Guaderrama of The Blazers
Episode 28: Nancy Sanchez of Las Chorizeras
Episode 29: Quetzal Flores of the band Quetzal
Episode 30: Martha Gonzalez
Episode 31: Willie Loya of Califas
Episode 32: Benny Lopez of Johnny & The Crowns & Thee Midniters
Episode 33: Irma "Cui Cui" Rangel of Califas
Episode 34: The Counts
Episode 35: Bobby Navarrete of Tierra & Thee Midniters
Episode 36: Larry Rendon of Thee Midniters
Episode 37: Frank Mezquita of The Blue Satins
Episode 38: Bobby Brambila of The Enchantments
Episode 39: Steven Chavez of EastLARevue. com
Episode 40: Donnie Everhart of Sly, Slick & The Wicked
Episode 41: Mark Guerrero of Mark & The Escorts & Tango
Episode 42: Johnny Gamboa of Johnny & The Crowns
Episode 43: Steven Verdugo of Olde Tyme Religion
Episode 44: The Heartbreakers - Benny & Joe Rodriguez
Episode 45: Mark & The Escorts
Episode 46:Jerry Salas of El Chicano
Episode 47: Rosela Arvizu of The Sisters
Episode 48: Richard Morin of Thee Enchantments, Mark & The Escorts, The Men From S.O.U.N.D.,
The Four Clefs and The Six Pack
Episode 49: Bobby Cochran of Thee Midniters, Steppenwolf, Flying Burrito Brothers, Bobby & The Midnites. Nephew of the legendary Eddie Cochran
Episode 50. Sal Rodriguez of War
Episode 51: Dale Villavicencio of Tierra
Episode 52: Mickey Lespron of El Chicano
Episode 53: Bobby Figueroa of the Village Callers, Poverty Train and the Beach Boys
Episode 54: Mike Mercado of the Village Callers and the Emeralds
Episode 55: Ron Reyes of Yaqui
Episode 56: Aztlan Underground
Episode 57; Eddie Quinteros
Episode 58: Lorenzo Martinez of Los Texmaniacs
Episode 59: Harry Manaka
Episode 60: Susanna Guzman (opera singer)
Episode 61: Ray Rodriguez of Yaqui
Episode 62: Adolfo "Fuzzy Martinez" of the Village Callers
Episode 63: Bertha Oropeza of Chico
Episode 64: Louie Mendez of Los Rock Angels
Episode 65: Jimi Seville of Yaqui
Episode 66: Jimmie Meza of the Atlantics
Episode 67: Eddie Rodriguez of the Little Heartbreakers
Episode 68: Dan Medina of The Ambertones
Episode 69: Raul Pacheco of Ozomatli
Episode 70: Fito de la Parra of Canned Heat
Episode 71: Alfredo Rubalcava of Tierra
For more information about Mark and the Eastside Sound please visit Mark's blog:
Dear friends and lovers of the EastSide Sound. I am trying to reach by goal of 1000 subscribers and need your help. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel EastLAGuy and please tell your friends to do the same.
I am trying to keep alive the music of this genre, the Eastside Sound, an important and forgotten part of the history of rock and roll. Please help. Thank You!!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=spacer}
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=link}