VINYL CLASSICS - THE PREMIERS "FARMER JOHN LIVE"

Track List:

1. Farmer John
2. Don't You Just Know It
3. We Go Together
4. Look At Me
5. Over The Mountain, Across The Sea
6. Annie Oakley
7. Anymore
8. Feel Like Dancing
9. Ruined
10. I Won't Be Back Next Year
11. Cross My Heart
12. Mary Ann

Riding the heels of their  national hit, "Farmer John", San Gabriel's own, The Premiers hurriedly put together an album for Warner Brothers Records entitled "Farmer John Live" in 1964 (Warner Brothers 1565). (See my post Eastside Bands - The Premiers). The title track is a Don & Dewey tune suggested to the group by promoter/manager Billy Cardenas. The audience noise and live sound feel was provided by the all-girl car club, The Chevelles in the studio at Stereo Masters on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood and not live at The Rhythm Room in Fullerton as the album's liner notes would suggest. The dubbing-in of a live ambience was the genius of Billy Cardenas & Eddie Davis which they would also use on The Blendells' hit "La La La La La".

The entire album has a great dance party feel and features up-tempo R&B and doo wop classics. Johnny Ace's "Anymore" and Cross My Heart are two personal favorites. Eastside classics like 'We Go Together" and "Over The Mountain, Across The Sea" will bring back fond memories of high scool romance.

Of special interest are two Max Uballez penned tunes "Annie Oakley" and "Feel Like Dancing" Pat Vegas wrote "I Won't Be Back Next Year" and Billy Cardenas wrote Mary Ann"

This album is an Eastside Classic and well worth picking up. It was released on compact disc in 2003 by Collectors Choice Music and is still readily available. PLEASE BUY A COPY & SUPPORT THESE GREAT ARTISTS!!!

You may read Richie Unterberger's review here:

http://www.richieunterberger.com/premiers.html

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical & educational purposes and for listening pleasure.

EASTSIDE BANDS - THE PREMIERS

Band Members:

Lawrence Perez (guitar)

Frank Zuniga (bass)

George Delgado (rhythm guitar)

John Perez (drums)

Joe Whiteman Jr (sax) replaced by Phil Ruiz

Hailing from San Gabriel, California, The Premiers started out in 1962. They began playing house parties, weddings and dances. Lawrence & John Perez' mother contacted Billy Cardenas. Billy got them gigs at The Paramount Ballroom, The Rhythm Room in Fullerton and The Rainbow Gardens in Pomona.

Billy Cardenas introduced the band to Eddie Davis and got them a recording contract. For their first record Billy suggested a song written & recorded by Don & Dewey, "Farmer John". The record was recorded at Stereo masters Studios in Hollywood although the record label says it was recorded live. The live sound on the record was provided by a girls car club, The Chevelles.

"Farmer John" and "Duffy's Blues" were released on the Faro label (Faro 615) in 1964. The record became a huge national hit reaching number 19 on the Billboard charts in July.

Eddie Davis took the record to Warner Brothers Records for further promotion and distribution. Warner Brothers also released the record in 1964 (Warner Brothers 5443)

You May Watch The Premiers performing "Farmer John" Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gayhpUyz2os

Warner Brothers wanted to capitalize on the band's success and rush released an album titled "Farmer John Live" in 1964. This album will be reviewed in the Vinyl Classics section.

The Premiers second single for Faro was "Get Your Baby" and "Little Ways" which was released in 1965. (Faro 616).

The Premiers third single for Faro was "Get On This Plane" and "Come On And Dream" (Faro 624) released in 1966. This record is highly sought after by garage band collectors and worh a few hundred dollars.

The Premiers fourth and final single for Faro was "Ring Around My Rosie" released in 1967 (Faro 627) with the vocal version on one side and the instrumental version on the flip side.

The Premiers would record twice more for Warner Brothers.

"Blues For Arlene" and "Annie Oakley" released in 1964 (Warner Brothers 5464)

"Little Irene" and "So Fine" released in 1965 (Warner Brothers 5488)

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PREMIERS PLEASE READ THE FINE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY MARK GUERRERO AT HIS WEB SITE FOUND HERE:

http://www.markguerrero.com/11.php

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical & educational purposes and for listening pleasure

EASTSIDE LEGENDS - THE SALAS BROTHERS

The Salas Brothers, Steve & Rudy have been a major influence on the Eastside Sound from the mid 1960's right up to present day. Their nearly fifty years of recording and live performances make them legendary figures in the changing music world and Chicano Soul while staying true to their musical roots.

Steve and Rudy Salas grew up in East Los Angeles and were first discovered by Mario Paniagua, leader of The Percussions/Jaguars, performing at a neighborhood bazaar. With their fathers consent, the Salas Brothers started performing with The Jaguars at El Monte Legion Stadiun, the Paramount Ballroom and other local venues. Steve was 9 and Rudy was 11 at the time.

Rudy had a part on The Jaguars's single "Where Lovers Go (Faro 618) in 1964. (See my post Eastside Bands - The Jaguars).

By 1965 the boys had been introduced to Eddie Davis who took them into the studio to record their first record. "Darling (Please Bring Your Love) and "Leaving You" were released on Davis' Faro label (Faro 614) in 1965. "Darling" was a remake of Phil & Harv's classic ballad from 1961. "Leaving You" was a beautifully written song by Mario Paniagua sung in English & in Spanish.

You May Listen To The Salas Brothers "Darling (Please Bring Your Love" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL4kwa3sdMM

You May Listen To The Salas Brothers "Leaving You" Here:

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

For their second single The Salas Brothers recorded " The Return Of Farmer John" and "Love Is Strange" released on the Faro label (Faro 619) in 1965. "The Return Of Farmer John" is an answer to The Premiers big hit "Farmer John" "Love Is Strange" is a remake of the Mickey & Sylvia hit.

For their third & final single, The Salas Brothers recorded another Mario Paniagua penned tune "One Like Mine" and backed it with a Christmas classic "Donde Esta Santa Claus" for Faro (Faro 625) also in 1965.

You May Listen To The Salas Brothers "One Like Mine" Here:

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

After high school Steve went to Stanford University and would record with his group Six-Pak in 1969 and in 1972 would sing lead on El Chicano's "Brown Eyed Girl"

In 1969 Rudy Salas would record with the group One G + Three. We will look at Salas Brothers post-duo days at a later date.

In 1973, The Salas Brothers would get back together & form a new Band, Tierra.

THE SALAS BROTHERS AT NICK'S TASTE OF TEXAS IN COVINA, CALIFORNIA 2011


NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical & educational purposes and for listening pleasure.

EASTSIDE BANDS - THE JAGUARS

                                                 (left to right)

                                       Frank Chavez (rhythm guitar)
                                       Anthony "Beaver" Carroll ((bass)
                                       Mario Paniagua (lead guitar)
                                       Adrian Sansone (drums)

Hailing from East Los Angeles, California the group began calling themselves The Percussions. Mario Paniagua, Frank Chavez and Adrian Sansone attended Lincoln High School and Anthony "Beaver Carroll attended Wilson High in El Sereno.

They needed a lead singer to front the band and found Steve & Rudy Salas ages 9 and 11 respectively singing Mexican boleros at a Lincoln Heights bazaar.

THE JAGUARS WITH THE SALAS BROTHERS (STEVE LEFT & RUDY RIGHT)


The group began performing at local venues including El Monte Legion Stadium. Billy Cardenas took the group to Eddie Davis where they recorded "Where Lovers Go" and "Discover A Lover" which were released in 1965 on the Faro label (Faro 618). The Mario Paniagua written instrumental "Where Lovers Go" (inspired by Santo & Johnny's "Sleep Walk") did very well on local radio.

The Jaguars would also back the Salas Brothers on their singles releases.

You May Listen To The Jaguars "Where Lovers Go" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ll3iDiPPXw

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical & educational purposes and for listening pleasure.

EASTSIDE LEGENDS - THE SLAUSON BROTHERS

The Slauson Brothers were George and Johnny Ochoa who hailed from Commerce, California. In 1964 they recorded the Eastside classic "Rosalie" for Godfrey Kerr's Gee label (Gee Kay 1003). The record was reissued on Kerr's Flashback label (Flashback 105).

You May Listen To The Slauson Brothers "Rosalie" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8Tsf09PIqE

The B side of the record is "Power Glide" by The Impalas

The Slauson Brothers would later in the year record "Baby Come Home" for Godfrey Kerr's Kay Gee label (Kay Gee 102)

The B side of the record was "2 O'Clock Blues" by The Impalas

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical and educational purposes and for listening pleasure.

EASTSIDE OLDIES - PART 2

In part 2 of Eastside Oldies we will look at another ten records by artists out of the greater Los Angeles area. Some of these records are extremely rare so check your collections.

THE ATLANTICS - "BOO HOO HOO"/"EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALL RIGHT"

There were two groups called The Atlantics who were part of the Eastside scene. A Chicano band which I will get to later in my Eastside Bands section and this vocal group.

The group included members :

Delbert Franklin (lead singer)
Chick Carlton (tenor)
Gaynel Hodge (tenor)
Barry White (bass)

Delbert Franklin was a singer/saxophonist who had been a member of the Eastside band, The Mixtures. (see my post under Eastside Bands).

Chick Carlton would later cut a record with Eddie Davis' band, The Majestics (we'll get to him later).

Gaynel Hodge had been a member of the L.A. vocal groups The Hollywood Flames and The Turks.

Barry White would go on to become a solo soul singer and have najor success.

In 1961, The Atlantics recorded a song penned by Gaynell Hodge entitled "Boo Hoo Hoo" released on Eddie Davis' Linda label (Linda 103).

You May Listen To The Atlantics "Boo Hoo Hoo" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIZzhUaLIb8

VARIOUS ARTISTS - "ANGEL BABY"

Absolutely in my Top Ten of Eastside Sound records is Rosie & The Originals' "Angel Baby" in 1960. But there other female artists who have recorded the tune. The song was written by Rosie Hamlin.

In 1961, Sandra Teen recorded "Angel Baby" for Impact records but the writer credits were given to David Ponce, a member of the originals. This led Rosie & The Originals to break up. Rosie was given the copyright rights in 1961 but this led to battles over royalties for decades.

Vicki Vote recorded "Angel Baby" in 1969 for the Imperial label

Trish Toledo recorded "Angel Baby" in 2019 but not released as a single. her version is so good it appears on the Eastside Sound label

A Spanish language version of "Angel Baby"  titled "Angelito" was recorded by Isela Sotelo in 1982 and released on the Latino Motown label.

RAY MEDINA AND THE NEW LATIN BREED - "HEAD'S HEAD"


Talk about digging up some rare records when you really get into researching, Ray Medina & The New Latin Breed recorded a song Head's Head" on the obscure Mares record label out of Los Angeles. The record was produced by Memo Mata (who also produced Sly, Slick & Wicked) and Earl Chavez. I don't have a year of release but it's Latin soul & Boogaloo so I put it in the late 1960's. The vocalist on the record is Tutti. This record sold $2075 on E-Bay last year.

You May Listen To Ray Medina & The New Latin Breed "Head's Head" as part of a Latin boogaloopalooza on Mr. Fine Wine's Downtown Soulsville Show found here:

http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/14689



THE SHOWCASES - "THIS LOVE WAS REAL"


The Showcases were originally formed in the late 1950's at the Ramona Gardens housing project in the Lincoln Heights section of East Los Angeles.

 In 1964 they recorded "This Love Is Real" for producer Cliff Goldsmith. At that time the group members were James Colford, Tommy Johnson, Thomas Keyes and James Hubbard. The record was released on the Galaxy label (Galaxy 732) but only 2 or 3 promotional copies are know to exist. The record was legally reissued on the Falco label (Falco 308) in the early 1980's. All this information is according to Steve Propes in his book "L.A. R&B Vocal groups 1945-1965.

This song is one of the best four-part harmony doo-wops to ever come out of the Los Angeles area. I do not have a scan of the original Galaxy release but the Falso release title's the song "This Love Was Real"

You May Listen To The Showcases "This Love Was Real" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUvpzc4wf0A



WILKS & WILKERSON - "YOUNG LOVER" b/w "I FOUND A NEW LOVE"


James Wilkerson and Nate Wilks were residents of South Central Los Angeles. They hung around the Ramona Gardens housing project in Lincoln Heights as did The Showcases and Bobby & The Classics (later to become Cannibal & The Headunters).

In 1962 they cut two sides "Young Lover" and "I Found A New Love" both ballads with that classic East L.A. Sound. The record was released on the Bamboo label (Bamboo 518). "I Found A New Love" was also recorded by Robert & Rey (see my Robert & Rey post under Eastside Legends).

MONTEREYS - "(I LOVE YOU) FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS"


Chicano vocal group, The Montereys were from the Bakersfield area. Their lead singer was Hector Canez. The other band members were Tom Lopez, Tom Rey and Santos Cepeda. In 1962 they recorded an extremely rare record for the Trans American label (Trans American 1001) "Darlin (Love You So)/"Darlin' Send Me A Letter". This record is currently on my want list. If anyone has a copy for sale please e-mail me. Also if anyone can send me scans of the record I would greatly appreciate it.

You May Listen To: The Montereys - "Darlin (Love You So) Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TxkLFFb4Is

You May Listen To: The Montereys - "Darlin' Send Me A Letter" Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN08VCKvM6g

The following year, 1963 they recorded "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons" produced by Kim Fowley and released on the GNP Crescendo label (GNP Crescendo 314).

You May Listen To The Montereys " (I Love You) For Sentimental Rreasons" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXwREpK9ark



BOBBY & BILLY - "GEE GIRL"

The vocal duo, Bobby & Billy were Robert "Bobby" Washington of The Cyclones and possibly Bill Brooks of The Hollywood Saxons. Bobby Washington & Cyclones member Jerome Evans wrote a soulful ballad "Gee Girl" while they were still with The Cyclones. "Gee Girl" was released in 1962 on the Strafire label (Starfire 100).

THE MATADORS - "LET ME DREAM"

The vocal group, The Matadors were originally from Calexico, Mexico where they began as the Continentals, Group members were Jimmy & David Meza, Robert Estrada and Carlos Montejano. The group became popular in the San Gabiel Valley area of Califonia.

In 1966 they recorded "Let Me Dream" originally released on the Chartmaker label and re-released in 1967 on the Forbes label (Forbes 230).

You May Listen To The Matadors "Let Me Dream" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XqkgGl4ppM

THE EXPLOSIONS - "GEE BABY"

The vocal duo, The Explosions were Bob McClaine and Dave Coleman both from East Los Angeles, California. In 1964 they recorded a remake of the 1959 classic By Joe & Ann "Gee Baby". The record was produced by Kim Fowley for the Burton label (Burton 101), a label owned by Burt Sugarman.

In 1965 Bob & Dave recorded "Up On The Mountain", a remake of the Magnificents 1956 doo wop classic as The Fallen Angels for the Tollie label (Tollie 9049).

THE RHYTHM GENTS - "LINDA"

I don't really know if this group was from the Los Angeles area but in 1996 they were part of Steve Propes research for the book "L.A. R&B Vocal Groups 1945-1965. The group does have an East L.A. sound. In 1964 they recorded "Linda" for the Merri label (Merri 6008). If anyone has any information on this group please contact me.

You May Listen To The Rhythm Gents "Linda" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWn5XZZpbGg

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical & educational purposes and for listening pleasure.