EASTSIDE BANDS - THE MIXTURES

The Original Mixtures

Top (Left To Right)

Delbert Franklin (sax)

Johnny Wells (percussion)

Jess Poras (sax)

Leroy "Zag" Soto (bass)

Eddie De Robles (drums)

Seated (Left To Right)

Steve Mendoza (keyboards)

Danny Pollack (guitar)

Autry Johnson (horns) (not pictured)

The Second Mixtures:

Clockwise from bottom left

Randy Thomas (Wurlitzer Electric piano)

Wayne Edwards (drums)

Delbert Franklin (sax)

Johnny Wells (percussion)

Leroy "Zag" Soto (bass)  center

Mike Hufford (Guitar)

The Mixtures began as a group called the Playboys at Oxnard High School in 1957 with members Steve Mendoza, Del Franklin & Jess Poras. Later Dan Pollock, Leroy Soto and Eddie DeRobles joined the group. In 1960, they changed their name to the Mixtures because they were a mix of races, Chicano, African-American and white. They became very popular playing at local gigs, dances and weddings.

They were first discovered by Dick Moreland, a promoter in the Oxnard area. Dick would later go on to be a disc jockey on radio station KRLA in Los Angeles, Dick introduced the group to Eddie Davis became their promoter & producer. Eddie took the Mixtures into the studio where they backed singer Cookie Comp and recorded "I Won't Cry" which Eddie released on his First President label (First President 431).

You May Listen To Cookie & The Mixtures - "I Won't Cry" Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpcjCo8LX4s

The Mixtures would next back vocal duo Harvey Willis & Phillip Tucker on "Darling )Please Bring Your Love)" and "Friendship released in March 1961 on the Rampart label (Rampart 611). The backing vocals were done by the female group, The Blossoms though uncredited.

This was follwed by by the release of Phil & Harv's "The Facts Of Love" and "Sweeter Than Candy" released on the Rampart label (Rampart 612)

Following this release, Harvey Willis had some legal issues and he was replaced by The Mixtures' Delbert Franklin. In 1962 Phil & Del recorded "Don't Play With Love" and "My Girl" released on the Linda label (Linda 105).

Their final single as Phil & Del was "It Hurts Me" and "Those Feelings" released on the Rampart label (Rampart 649) in 1966.

Phil & Del would go on to record as the Souljers in 1966.

Their first single for the Rampart label was "Chinese Checkers"/"Poochum" in 1966 (Rampart 648)

Their second single for Rampart in 1966 was "Gonna Be A Man"/"Crazy Little Things" (Rampart 649)

As The Mixtures were honing their skills they became proficient in Latin, R&B and Surf music. In 1961 The Mixtures became the house band on Friday nights at Eddie Davis' Rainbow Gardens in Pomona where they played to packed houses. They also became the house band for Eddie Davis' television show "Parade Of Hits" on KCOP channel 13 in Los Angeles. The show ran for 28 weeks sponsored by White Front Department Stores. The station manager at KCOP had refused to let The Mixtures into the studio because they were of mixed race but Eddie Davis pulled the necessary legal strings. The show was hosted by Larry McCormick who went on to be a newscaster for for KTLA channel 5 in Los Angeles.

The Mixtures first single was "Rainbow Stomp Part 1" and Rainbow Stomp Part 2" released in March 1962 on the Linda label (Linda 104)

Their second single was "Jawbone" and "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" in September 1962 on the Linda label (Linda 106)

The Mixtures third single was "Olive Oyl" and "Canadian Sunset" in November 1962 released on the Linda label (Linda 108)

The Mixtures fourth single was "Poochum" and "Tiki" in March 1963 released on the Linda label Linda 109)

The Mixtures fifth single was "The Last Minute" and "Sen-Sa-Shun" in July 1964 (Linda 115)

Their sixth and final single was "Chinese Checkers" and 'Dig These Blues" in December 1965 (Linda 113)

The Mixtures Holiday Fan Club Single

The group would go through member changes in 1964 and 1965. Dan Pollock left the group replaced by Mike Hufford who would later be replaced by Andy Tasso (of The Romancers). The group faced many racial discrimination issues over the years and never really got the recognition or the opportunities that they deserved. The Mixtures would break-up after 1965.

The Mixtures recorded one album "Stompin' At The Rainbow" which was recorded live at the Rainbow Gardens in February 1962 and released on the Linda label (Linda 3301). Vinyl copies of this album are hard to find but the album including the Mixtures six singles was released on LP and CD by Minky Records in April 2011. The CD is readily available through Minky, Amazon and where fine CDs are sold. We will revue the album on a post in the Vinyl Classics section.

THE MIXTURES (MARCH 1962)

standing left to right- Steve Mendoza, Del Franklin, Leroy "Zag" Soto, 

Dan Pollock, Jess Porras, and Johnny Wells) (Eddie De Robles on drums)

THE MIXTURES AT THE RAINBOW GARDENS 1962:

(left to right- Del Franklin, Leroy "Zag" Soto, Jess Porras, Dan Pollock,

Eddie De Robles, and Johnny Wells)
Steve Mendoza (far left hidden, piano)

THE MIXTURES (CIRCA 1960):

(left to right- Phil & Harv, Dan Pollock, Johnny Wells (hidden), Del Franklin,

Leroy "Zag" Soto (hidden),Jess Porras, Steve Mendoza, and Dick Halstead)

FOR MORE ON THE MIXTURES PLEASE READ THE MOST INFORMATIVE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY MARK GUERRERO ON HIS SITE FOUND HERE:

http://www.markguerrero.com/31.php

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical, educational and listening pleasure purposes.

SOUTHERN SOUL SPINNERS

The Southern Soul Spinners will be putting their vinyl wares on display tomorrow at the VFW Post in the City Of Industry. Sweet Soul, Funk & R&B tunes will be blaring out of the speakers and judging by todays weather it should be a good day for beer drinking. Soulera 5150 & Ruben Molina lead an all-star cast of dee-jays for your listening & dancing pleasure.

EASTSIDE PRODUCER AND MANAGER - BILLY CARDENAS

                 
Billy Cardenas managed and/or produced many of the East L.A. bands from the early 1960's onward. By his own admission he was just a street kid but found his niche in life through his desire to see Chicano performers make it in America.With the help of his partner, Eddie Davis, he would do just that.

Billy was born in 1938 in Boyle Heights, California. He started playing trumpet at an early age. His first major influence was Bobby Rey (see my post under Eastside Legends) who lived around the corner. He was also influenced by the music of Lionel Hampton and rhythm and blues stars Big Joe Turner and Fats Domino. He was impressed by how well they were groomed and their fancy clothes. He would instill these qualities in the artists he managed.

After high school, Billy entered the army & also became an accomplished boxer winning the 1959 Gold Gloves championship in Chicago. Billy met Bob Keane and sat in on a Ritchie Valens recording session. He began working in the recording industry producing Chicano and mariachi records for Cadet Records in West Los Angeles where he worked with engineer Bill Lazereth. During spare session time he produced a record for Robert & Rey (see my post under Eastside Rarities). He also co-produced with Bumps Blackwell a record for Yolanda Lea, a South L.A teenager.

Billy would make his first major splash with a group who played at one of his parties, The Romancers. Billy knew they has something special and began booking his own dance shows with the Romancers and a vocal duo, The Heartbreakers (see my post under Eastside Legends).

Billy was now a successful manager, promoter and producer but he wanted to take it to the next level. In 1963 he was watching Eddie Davis' "Parade Of Hits" television show and called Eddie to see if he could get the Romancers on the show. Eddie said no but invited the Romancers to perform at his Rainbow Gardens in Pomona. The Romancers were an instant hit, Billy & Eddie connected and the West Coast Eastside Sound was about to reach new audiences and new heights.

Whereas Bob Keane had Ritchie Valens fall into his lap, Billy Cardenas went out & actively pursued acts to promote and record. A multitude of artists and bands would follow. The list includes, The Premiers, The Salas Brothers and The Jaguars, The Royal Jesters (who became The Rhythm Playboys), Sal & Marge (Sal Murillo would later join The Blendells), The Blendells, Cannibal & The Headhunters, Ronnie & The Pomona Casuals. The Sisters, The Blue Notes, The Four Queens and Mark & The Escorts.

Billy credits disc jockeys Huggy Boy & Godfrey Kerr for helping him promote his dances & getting his groups records onto the radio. Eddie Torres, best known as the manager of the East L.A. group, Thee Midniters helped Billy with bookings and promotions.

Despite any differences Billy Cardenas and Eddie Davis had, they made the perfect partners when they put  their abilities together. Eddie from the business end with his negotiations, record companies & venues and Billy with his managing, promoting and producing. Together they accomplished alot but both had successes on their own. They brought artists who would otherwise never get a chance to a national audience.

We will hear more about Billy Cardenas and Eddie Davis as we get into the individual artists.

To Learn More About Billy Cardenas Please Read The Article Written By Mark Guerrero On His Web Site Here:

http://markguerrero.net/misc_48.php

Also Of Major Interest Please Read The Article Published By LA Weekly:

Naa Na Na Na Naa

How the West Coast Eastside sound changed rock & roll

Ben Quiñones

published: December 29, 2005

http://www.laweekly.com/content/printVersion/41473/



NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical & educational purposes.

EASTSIDE PRODUCERS - EDDIE DAVIS

Eddie Davis along with his partner, Billy Cardenas are probably the two most important figures in the history of the Eastside Sound. Their work as producers of Latino bands had a major impact on the music scene in the Los Angeles area from the mid 1960's through the early 1970's. It is through their efforts that Latin/Chicano Rock reached a more national audience.

Edward Louis Davis was born in 1926 in Boyle Heights, California. He was a child actor. He appeared in "Going My Way", "The Major And The Minor" and "Pork Chop Hill" After attending Faifax High School Ediie joined the navy. When he got out of the navy, Eddie wanted to be a restaurant owner. In 1953, He opened The Eddie Davis Parkway Grill in Hollywood. He would later open another restaurant called the Eddie Davis Steakhouse Supper Club.

Eddie had sung in a Catholic choir and was influenced by pop vocalists. He wanted to to be a singer. His first record "Heart Of Ice" and "To Be Or Not To Be" was released on the Vita label in 1957 (Vita 170).

You May Listen To Eddie L. Davis "Heart Of Ice" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb8yYUMIA18

His next single "Teenage Brain Surgeon" and "Tick Tock Rock" was released in 1958 on the Fable label (Fable 637) as Eddie L Davis & The Bureaucats. Eddie co-wrote both sides of the record with arranger Wayne Corps.

His third and last single was "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" and "Love Me As Though There Were No Tomorrow" released on the Faro label in 1959 (Faro 596). "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" was a duet with Eddie and Connie Stevens. Connie would become a succesful singer & television star in her own right and would duet with Edd "Kookie" Byrnes on "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb"

In 1958, Eddie Davis would sell his restaurants and start his first record label, Faro.He would later own Linda Records. established in 1960; Rampart Records in 1961; Boomerang Records in 1962; Prospect and Valhalla Records in 1966 and Gordo Records in 1968. Many Eastside artists would record for these labels.

In 1962, Davis bought and began operating the Rainbow Gardens in Pomona and later the Rhythm Room in Fullerton. These two venues served as launching pads for many artists as the houses were packed with music lovers and dance enthusiasts. Eddie also started a local television show, "Parade Of Hits" but was unable to get any national play. It was shortly thereafter that Eddie met Billy Cardenas and the West Coast Eastside Sound was about to really "take off".

Eddie Davis and Billy Cardenas would go through many good times and bad times together. They would introduce many new artists to the Los Angeles and national music scene. I will just name a few, The Romancers, The Premiers, Little Ray Jimenez, the Salas Brothers, The Blendells, Cannibal & The Headhunters and Thee Midniters. We will look at all of these artists and many more.

Davis would later work with Little Willie G, El Chicano and Six Pac. Eddie's mother passed away and Eddie left the music industry. In 1977 Hector Gonzalez brought Eddie out of retirement to record the Latin funk band, Eastside Connection.

In 1994, Eddie Davis died of cancer. He left all of the master tapes, archives, contracts and publishing catalogs of the Rampart Records group to Hector Gonzalez.

Eddie Davis was called "The Godfather Of The Eastside Sound" and "The Berry Gordy Of Los Angeles". His greatness in risk taking, musical innovations, promoting and producing can not be overemphasized. He is truly a giant in the history of rock and roll.

To Learn More About Eddie Davis And The West Coast Eastside Sound Please Visit The UC Santa Barbara Library By Following This Link:

http://www.library.ucsb.edu/special-collections/cema/WCESS

To Learn More About Eddie Davis And Rampart Records Please Check Out This Interview With Rampart Records Owner Hector Gonzalez On The LAOPIA Web Site By Following This Link:

http://latinopia.com/latino-music/the-rampart-records-story/

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical, educational and listening pleasure.

RECOMMENDED READING - THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF LATINO POPULAR CULTURE

This is a two volume encyclopedia set which I have recently added to my recommended reading list. Published by Greenwood Press and edited by Cordelia Chavez Candelaria, Arturo J. Aldama, Peter J. Garcia and Alma Alvarez-Smith in 2004. There are a wide range of entries and it gives you an insight into noted people and cultural issues. It is readily available through Amazon, major book stores and also online at
www.greenwood.com/.

The book is excellently reviewed by singer/songwriter/author Mark Guerrero at his website found here:

http://markguerrero.net/misc_33.php


NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Soley for historical & educational purposes

VINYL CLASSICS - THE RHYTHM ROOM - THE EASTSIDE SOUND

This album is probably a take off of a night club called the Rhythm Room which was located in Fullerton, California and owned by record producer Billy Cardenas and Eddie Davis. The club regularly featured bands from the East L.A. Later Davis used the club as a rehearsal room and recording studio for his various record labels. Amongst the bands that cut records with Davis were the Six Pac, the Premiers, Tierra, the Blendells and El Chicano.

Track List:

01. Chick Carlton & The Majestics - So You Want To Rock

02. The Switchmen - Ripple

03. The Mixtures - Rainbow Stomp

04. Gene Gray & The Stingrays - Surfers Mood

05. The Premiers - Farmer John

06. The Mixtures - Sen-Sa-Sun

07. The Enchantments - I'm In Love With Your Daughter

08. The Blendells - La La La La

09. The Salas Brothers - The Return Of Farmer John

10. Cannibal & The Headhunters - Land Of 1000 Dances

11. The Atlantics - Beaver Shot

12. The Premiers - Get On This Plane

13. The Romancers - She Took My Oldsmobile

14. The Summits - Hey Joe

15. Sunday Funnies - Whatcha Gonna Do

16. Ed Davis - Teenage Brain Surgeon

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Solely for historical & educational purposes.