EASTSIDE OLDIES - PART 5

RUDY & THE CRUISERS - "CRUISING BABY"

Band Members:

Rudy Madrid (lead vocals & guitar)
Felicitas Diaz (vocals & keyboard)
Abraham Vasquez (saxophone & keyboards)
Monico Flores (drums)
Art Camarillo (bass)

Band  out of San Jose, California, Rudy & The Cruisers released "Cruising Baby"/"Car Show" on
Lolita records in 1981.

                                  THE UNKNOWN 4 - "SAD GIRL"

A band out of Los Angeles, California, nothing is know about this band except the lead singer's
name is John. A cover of the Jay Wiggins classic that was also a hit for Thee Midniters. "Sad Gir" RPC Records year of release unknown.

   

SHORTY & THE ENCHANTING SOULS - "TEARS OF NO RETURN"/"CHEW, CHAW, CHAW"

                                                                       

                             

Band from Los Angeles, California, Shorty & The Enchanting Souls recorded "Tears Of No Return"
for Faro Records released in 1967.


                  LAS DILLY SISTERS - "SOMETIMES GOOD GUYS DON'T WEAR WHITE"

Miriam & Nelly Nunez AKA Las Dilly Sisters AKA Las Hermanas Nunez were known for their appearances on "The Banana Splits Adventure Hour" on television.

In 1968 they recorded a cover version of the Standells' classic "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" for the Gordo label.

BERTHA TILLMAN - "OH MY ANGEL"

A huge favorite and highly requested and dedicated song by radio listeners of the Huggy Boy and Art Laboe shows, "Oh My Angel" was recorded by Bertha Tillman. It was released on the Brent label in 1962.

MISS RAYMIS (RAMOS BAND) - OH MY ANGEL

In 1988, "Oh My Angel" was released on Roe Records under the name Miss Raymis. Miss Raymis is Marilyn Ramos and the Ramos band.

ANITA MAY - TARNISHED ANGEL

An answer record to Bertha Tillman's "Oh My Angel" was recorded by Anita May and the Interstate 5 in 1968 and released on the Audio Arts label.

TOBY BEAU - "MY ANGEL BABY"

Continuing with the "Angel Baby" theme the Toby Beau Band out of Houston, Texas wrote and recorded "My Angel Baby" for the RCA label, released in 1978.

GILDA VASQUEZ Y FAMILIA - ANGEL BABY

It was also recorded by Gilda Vasquez Y Formula for the Discos Sierra label buy under the title of "Angel Baby"

605 SOUTH - "NAH NAH BABY"/ELA

Although the release date is unknown East LA Records recorded and pressed a single by the 605 South band. " Nah Nah Baby" was written and produced by Leonard Mamola. "ELA' was written by band leader Bobby Hernandez. The band was definitely out of the Los Angeles area as there is a 605 freeway that runs north and south.

THEE IN-SET - "THEY SAY"/"MY HEART CRIES"

Another band from Los Angeles, California Thee In-Set recorded a single for the Cal Omen label.
Cal Omen was a small label run by Godfrey Kerr.

"They Say" is a hard-driving, organ-based garage rock band sound and highly collectable for its sound and its rarity.  "My Heart Cries" is a cover of a tune written & recorded by Etta (Etta James) & Harvey Fuqua. The Romancers recorded the same tune and turned it into an Eastside classic. Thee In-set's version is right up there with them, a truly fine ballad.

THE SHONDELLS - "WONDERFUL ONE'

Girl group from Pomona, California and included Shirlee Brooks & Novella Simmons. Once again classic Eastside sound record.

MEEP MEEP & THE ROADRUNNER - "JUSTINE"/"B-FLAT BLUES"

The band was probably named from the cartoon Wiley Coyote & The Roadrunner.

In 1958, Don Harris & Dewey Terry would have a hit with a song titled "Justine' in 1958 for the Specialty label.

 In 1963, The Leggeriors recorded "Justine" for the Goliath label.

 In 1965, The Righteous Brother would record and same song "Justine" for the Moonglow label and so would the band Meep Meep & The Roadrunner for the Boomerang label. Oddly enough Meem Meep's B-Side was titled "B-Flat Blues", a tune written by The Righteous Brothers Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield.

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!

SOLELY FOR HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES!!

EASTSIDE OLDIES - PART 4

Here is a look at ten more records that were the sound of the city back in the day.

EASY COMPANY - "LET'S TALK IT OVER"

Band from East Los Angeles, California with members Henry Estrada (vocals & guitar), Rogelio (Pee Wee Benzor), David Benzor, Eddie Benzor

Released in 1982, "Let's Talk It Over" was released on the Kick record label.

ALBERT TORRES & THE STARFIRE BAND - "SOMEBODY PLEASE"

Albert Torres & The Starfire band from San Jose, California recorded this cover version of the Vanguard's classic "Somebody Please" Date of release not known

IRENE - "FORGET"

Irene Soto from Los Angeles, California recorded "Forget", a teen girl group sound for Baronet records in 1962.

RAY CAMACHO & THE TEARDROPS - "I TOLD YOU SO"

Ray was born in El Paso, Texas and was raided in Mendota, California. He attended Fresno City College and supported himself playing music with his band, The Teardrops.

The musicians were recruited from the Southwestern states and California. The band toured constantly and one of their favorite places to play was Phoenix, Arizona.

"I Told You So" was recorded in Tuscon, Arizona in 1966 and released on the Copper State label.

THEE EPICS - "MAMA SAID"

Produced and arranged by Doug Salma (of Doug & Freddy fame) Thee Epics recorded this cover version of The Shirelles smash hit "Mama Said"

The tune was released on the Soulville No. 1 record label in the mid-1960's. It can also be found on the album, "Eastside Revue"

THEE IN CROWD - "MONKEY TIME"

Band from San Gabriel, California with members Art Hernandez, Grover Berumen, Bobby Esparza, Larry Vallejo, Richard Hernandez, John Gonzales, Joe Perez and Ray Diaz.

Thee In Crowd recorded a cover version of the Major Lance smash hit "Monkey Time" The  tune was released on the Living Sound record label. Date not known

The band still performs live

AZUSA - "OH WHAT A NIGHT"

The band was originally known as Azusa and later Balance of Azusa, Funk, soul & R&B band from Azusa, California, The band has been performing over 40 years and their lead singer is Sammy Medina.

In 1983 as Azusa the band recorded a cover of The Dells classic "Oh What A Night" for Moon Dance Records.

The record was later re-pressed but this time as Balance on the Balance label in 1983

Sammy Medina & Balance at Nick's Taste Of Texas"

JOE ROMERO - "OH BABY"

More than likely related to Chan Romero of "Hippy Hippy Shake" fame, Joe Romero recorded a doo wop styled single for the Dore record label titled "Oh Baby" in 1960.

TOBY & RAY & THE MARGILATORS - "JUST WAITING FOR YOU"

Toby and Ray out of Santa Clara, California were backed by a group called The Margilators
Not much known about the band except that they recorded a doo wop tune called "Just Waiting For You." It was released in 1959 on the Blue Moon label.

THE ANGELENOS - "DOWN IN EAST LA"

One can possibly surmise that the band as from Los Angeles with East LA in the title and the song being recorded for the Highland record label. The record was released in 1966.

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!

SOLELY FOR HISTORICAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES

EASTSIDE OLDIES - PART 3

Here is a look at ten or so more rare records by artists to come out of the Los Angeles area and were part of the Eastside scene.


RANDY THOMAS - "MY HEART CRIES" and "ARE YOU READY"

Randy Thomas was a piano player for the Eastside Band, The Mixtures (see my post Eastside Bands - The Mixtures. He was also the co-writer with Wayne Edwards of the Eastside classic "Get Your Baby" which was recorded by The Premiers, The Blendells and Mark & The Escorts.

In 1966 Randy recorded "My Heart Cries" (the Etta & Harvey classic which was also recorded by The Romancers) for Eddie Davis' Faro label (Faro 622).

You May Listen To Randy Thomas "My Heart Cries" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFlpXDZm4wI

The B side of this record is a great teener titled "Are You Ready". Randy is backed by The Mixtures although they are not credited on the label.

You May Listen To Randy Thomas "Are You Ready" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRGgm0Bgz2s




THE FABULOUS DESIRES - "DANCE WITH ME"

The Eastside band, The Desires were Albert Martinez, Tony Velasquez, Rebecca Salcedo, Ricky Sanchez and Benjamin "Spider" Velasquez. Ricky Sanchez and Ben Velasquez wrote a song called "Dance With Me" which would later be recorded by The Blendells and Mark & The Escorts.

(left to right- Ben Velasquez, Tony Velasquez, Rebecca Salcedo, Frank Soliz, Albert Martinez, and Ricky Sanchez)

"Dance With Me" would be recorded for the Era label in 1964 (Era 3138).

You May Listen To The Fabulous Desires "Dance With Me" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBBOo9Hddxw




FRANKIE OLVERA - "HUGGIE'S BUNNIES"

The Andy Tesso penned instrumental recorded by The Blendells was also recorded by Frankie Olvera. It was released on two different labels in 1964. (NRM 903 and Lola 104)

THEE COUNTS - "SOMEDAY I'M GONNA GET YOU"

left to right-
(front row- Larry Torres, bass; Richard Mitsunaga, lead guitar; Bobby Garola, guitar)
(back row- Ralph "Harpo" Viramontes, vocalist; Ronnie Wheat, drummer
Art Duardo, sax; Tommy Cavanaugh, trombone; and Charlie Montijo, lead singer)

The East L.A. band, The Counts recorded a rare single for Sid Talmedge and Highland Records in 1966 titled "Someday I'm Gonna Get You". (Highland 1171). It was also issued on the Dynamo label (Dynamo 100). The song has a Northern Soul/Garage feel to it.

You May Listen To Thee Counts "Some Day I'm Gonna Get You" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH93j3kN7Uo





THE PARLAY BROTHERS - "MY GIRL"

                   
Hailing from East Los Angeles, California, The Parlay Brothers were George Aguilar and Mickey Dominguez. In 1964 they recorded the Eastside classic which they wrote titled "Mr Girl (Please Be True)" for the Valjay label (Valjay 2725). The label was owned by eighteen year old Rooselevlt High School student and promoter Johnny Jay.

You May Listen To The Parlay Brothers "My Girl" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG68w5T6vkA



LARRY TAMBLYN & THE MIXTURES

                              LARRY TAMBLYN

Larry Tamblyn, brother of film actor, Russ Tamblyn (West Side Story) was a major artist on the Eastisde scene. Larry attended Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley, California. In the late 1950's Larry was introduced to Eddie Davis & the two formed a publishing company, Padua Music.

Larry Tamblyn also wrote music. He wrote "Come On And Dream" for The Premiers. He played guitar for a time with The Mixtures and would later go on to form the popular Los Angeles band, The Standells.

Larry had a solo recording career in the early 1960's backed by The Mixtures. He would record for Eddie Davis' Faro and Linda labels.

His first single was "Patty Ann", a teen rocker and "Dearest", a teen ballad for the Faro label (Faro 601) in 1960.

"Patty Ann"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2HFBN9kbK4

"Dearest":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB_zpmfT_Lo

Larry's second single for the Faro label was "(She's My Baby) My Bride To Be" and "The Lie" (Faro 603) also in 1960. This is a rare double sided "teener"

You May Listen To Larry Tamblyn "(She's My Baby) My Bride To Be" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l_2TU995Ds

Larry's third single for Faro was "This Is The Night" and "Destiny" (Faro 612) released in 1961. There is unclarity about the year on this record among collectors. Some say Eddie Davis did not release these two sides until 1964 to capitalize on the popularity of The Standells. No matter the year these are both great teen doo wop ballads.

You May Listen To Larry Tamblyn "This is The Night" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uENOc4EYdEY

You May Listen To Larry Tamblyn "Destiny" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxjCL8uMgO8

Larry's next single would be released on Eddie Davis' Linda label. "You'll Be Mine Some Day" and "The Girl In My Heart" (Linda 112) in 1963. Staying in the doo wop vein.

You May Listen To Larry Tamblyn "The Girl In My Heart" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt1y6Td9JFg

Larry Tamblyn recorded as Larry "Summer Clothes" It is believed the Standells are also on on this track. Released in 1967.

You may listen to "Summer Clothes" here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHsBtEER1OI


Larry and his new group, The Standells would have a huge national hit record "Dirty Water" in 1966.

You May Listen To The Standells "Dirty Water" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZVgNwD14pA

THE ATLANTICS - "REMEMBER THE NIGHT"

We have already looked at two groups who called themselves The Atlantics. One was the band out of El Monte. California (see Eastside bands) and the other was the group who recorded "Boo Hoo Hoo" (see Eastside Oldies part 2).

This group's members:

Carl White (Lamplighters, Sharps)
John "Sonny" Harris (Feathers, Lamplighters, Sharps)
Al Frazier (Lamplighters, Sharps)
Rocky Wilson (Sharps)
Gaynell Hodge (Atlantics)
Barry White (Atlantics)

When Barry White left the group to go solo the remaining members became The Rivingtons.

As The Atlantics they recorded "Remember The Night" and "Flame Of Love" for Eddie Davis' Linda label (Linda 107) in 1962.

You May Listen To The Atlantics Songs At The Doo Wop Blog Found Here:

http://doo-wop.blogg.org/themes-_atlantics-433907.html

DANNY SANDOVAL - "HARDLY SEE MY WAY"

Danny Sandoval is another artists out of the Los Angeles area that I know nothing about. In 1963 he recorded an Eastside classic ballad "Hardly See My Way" for the Cashmere label (Cashmere 1641).

You May Listen To Danny Sandoval "Hardly See My Way" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkpof-lCcfQ

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical & educational purposes and for listening pleasure.