RICK MARTINEZ (RICKY DEAN)

 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.

ABOUT THE SITE

This site was created for historical and educational purposes only and for listening enjoyment. Those who wish to share their music and memories are more than welcome to come on board.
  The site was created with the record and music collector in mind but may also appeal to the casual listener of "Oldies But Goodies", Chicano Rock, Chicano Soul, Low Rider Music, Sweet Soul Harmony, Doo Wop and the Teen Sound.
   The site is to be used as a tool to collecting rare and hard-to-find 45's, LP's and CD's and will help you find those which are still in print or still available. You are encouraged to seek out these recordings in their original and re-issued forms and to support the artists and record labels who recorded and produced such music.
  The site was NOT created for monetary gain. You will NOT be asked for money or donations. What I do ask is that if you visit this site that you treat it and anyone involved with the site with the utmost in respect.
  If you are copyright owner of any of the material posted on this site please contact me: gaversa@aol.com and it will be removed.


This site will mainly involve the music and memories of the Eastside Sound but will not be limited to that. Crusing "Oldies But Goodies" and the sounds of Chicano Soul will be included. Sweet Soul Harmony, Doo Wop and the Teen Sound that we all grew up with will also be included. You will find music from rare and out of print 45's, LP's and CD's.

Please feel free to leave comments or contact me if you would like to be a contibutor or have ideas for the site.

ABOUT ME

I was born & raised in East Los Angeles, California half a block from Whittier Boulevard on Arizona St. My mother was a huge Elvis Presley fan so I was exposed to the Rock & Roll Era at a very early age. My father served in the Navy and when he was discharged, opened a television & radio repair shop where he also sold records on Whittier Boulevard. We did have a record player in the house & at the age of four, I recall picking up a 78RPM record of Patti Page's "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window" and played it and was fascinated to hear a dog barking through the speakers. I was hooked!! My mother & father were soon divorced and in 1958 my mother married a man from Pacoima, California. One day he brought home a 45 RPM record of Ritchie Valens "La Bamba" Though he did let me listen to it, I was bounded and determined to get my own copy. I saved up two weeks allowance and bought my own copy. I wanted to hear what was on the other side & when I heard "Donna" I was blown away! That was the start of my love for what I call the "Eastside Sound"
  Growing up I listen to all genres of 50's & 60's music and was even heavily influenced by the Beatles. There were many disc jockeys I listened to but none better than Huggy Boy & Art Laboe. I would stay up late at night doing my homework with my transistor radio listening to what are now know as "Oldies But Goodies" I have many recollections of those days but I will leave that for another time.
  I spent many a weekend night on the boulevard watching the cars go by hoping that I saw someone I knew who would let me cruise with them. When I turned 16, my step-father gave me his '59 Dodge with the fins in the back. Now I could cruise the boulevard with my friends and thats what we did almost every weekend.
  At that time 4-track stereo players had just hit the market so I saved up & had one installed. There was a record store on the boulevard (I don't recall the name) that would make 4-track tapes from vinyl so I dragged by collection down and had my favorites taped. I thought man, now I can cruise in style with my favorite tunes. It was a great life with many memories and I took on many odd jobs in the neighborhood just to support my music & cruising habit.
  From time to time my friends & I went to see local bands play mainly at El Monte Legion Stadium, Montebello Ball Room & Kennedy Hall. My cousin Mickey had started a band called Mickey & The Invaders and through his influence I continued to be fascinated by the Eastside Sound.
  In 1967 I attended East Los Angeles College and became a disc jockey. Because I loved it so much I enlisted an Architect major friend of mine & we built a sound proof booth. I soon became station manager & the first thing I did was write letters to local record companies asking for records to supply the station. Though I received only a minimal responses, one was from Art Laboe who invited me to Original Sound Records in Hollywood. There, he & his staff treated me to lunch, a guided tour of the facilities and a complete set of his "Oldies But Goodies" LP's and a bunch of 45's. When I left East LA College I took about half of the recods with me & left the rest for future DJ's to play. I wanted to pursue a career as a DJ but friends & family soon convinced me otherwise.
  Over the years I never stopped listening to & collecting records and when the Internet was created I was able to share and enjoy music and memories with people from all walks of life.
  I have wanted to have my own site for several years now & though I am not skilled at putting a site together. I will learn as I go.
  I wanted to create a site that would appeal to those who lived & experienced the great & forgotten music from back in the day and also appeal to the youth who will pass this music down to generations to come.
  I am getting up there in years but still attend local clubs and concerts and follow the artists which still perform these old tunes today.
  I appeciate anyone who visits this site and shares in the music and memories. I am not here for any financial gain and do not wish to infringe on any one's copyrights. My e-mail address is posted if anyone would like to contact me. I am by no means an authority on this music (I will post links to those who are) but still enjoy listening to & learning about music which is now more than 50 years old.

Sincerely,

Guy (East LA Guy)