(from left to right: Johnny Gonzalez (keyboards), Charles Lueras (sax), Adolfo "Fuzzy" Martinez (sax), Joe Espinoza (bass), Ernie Hernandez (guitar), Manny Fernandez (drums)
The Village Callers were one of the finest R&B, Latin and Latin Jazz bands to come out of the east Los Angeles area.
The band began as Marcy & The Imperials in the early 1960's with Marcy Alvarado as singer, guitarist & band leader. As members came and went the name of the band was changed to the Village Callers as suggested by band member Ernie Hernandez. The name comes from a Willie Bobo album titled "Village Caller."
Some great singers had stints with the Village Callers over the 1960's & 1970's. Angie Bell from San Pedro. Ersi Arvisu befor she joined El Chicano. Al Anaya before he joined Thee Midniters and Geri Gonzalez.
Latin percussionist Chuck Masten was added to the band really giving the band an extra Latin & Jazz flavor adding to their already R&B and oldies but goodies style.
The band started playing the Eastside circuit and won The Battle Of The Bands at East Los Angeles College in 1967.
With the band now ready to record, manager hector Rivera invited Eddie Davis to hear the band play live at the Plush Bunny. Eddie really liked the band and wanted to record them live as soon as possible. They would be recorded live at the Plush Bunny on another night. The album "The Village Callers Live" would be released on July 25, 1968 on Rampart records. This album will be reviewed in a VINYL CLASSICS post.
VILLAGE CALLERS 45 RPM DISCOGRAPHY:
"Hector Part 1"/"Hector Part 2" (Rampart 659) 1968
"Hector" is a song dedicated to the band's manager Hector Rivera. It was a big local hit. "Hector" first appeared as a KHJ Hit Bound on July 31, 1968.
The record would peak at number 17 on August 14, 1968
Quentin Tarantino would thing enough of the song to include it on the soundtrack of hos 2019 movie "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood"
On the strength of local airplay Eddie Davis would re-released "Hector" with a new flip "I'm Leaving" and use the same Rampart record number 659 on July 25, 1968.
On September 3, 1968 Rampart would release another single "Mississippi Delta" and used "Hector Part 2" Rampart 660.
On May 21, 1969 Rampart released "Evil Ways"/"When You're Gone" (Rampart 663)
Eddie Davis would do his best to make more money off the songs and sold the right to Bell Records. In September 1969 they would release "Evil Way's/"When You're Gone" (Bell
As with most bands there were some hard times and members started leaving the band. Those that remained became and rock band and changed their name to Silvanus.
Of note, Joe, Fuzzy and Manny joined Sal Chico and when Sal retired became known as the Chico Band and are still performing to this day.
For much more information on the Village Callers please visit Mark Guerrero's blog:
https://markguerrero.net/32.php
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