EASTSIDE LEGENDS - THE SISTERS

The Eastside Sound can be heard once again at Nick's Taste Of Texas in Covina, California on September 17, 2011 as they celebrate Mexico's Independence with a show headlined by Ersi Arvisu and The Sisters.

Come & join in on the sights & sounds of East LA. Nick's Taste Of Texas is a great vevue for a show. Great Texas style food, beer & all your favorite adult beverages. Large floor to dance the night away. It's a show you won't want to miss.

I have tried to do my posts in somewhat of a chronological order but I will deviate a little with this post in honor of The Sisters appearance at Nick's.

The Sisters are a vocal trio made up of Ersi, Rosella and Mary Arvisu. They grew up in East Los Angeles, California. Their parents were musical performers and The Sisters would accompany them on some of their gigs to sing. As they learned to sing R&B they became known as the Eastside's answer to Motown's Supremes. They were also influenced by Martha & The Vandellas and The Ronettes.

  Rosella was discovered singing at a high school show by manager/producer Billy Cardenas. She told Billy that she had two sisters. The group became part on The Romancers stage show & also recorded with the band, The Blue Satins.

  Billy Cardenas took the girls to Bill Keane at Del-Fi Records and in 1964 they recorded "Gee Baby Gee', (a cover of the song the Butterfly's recorded for Red Bird) and "All Grown Up" (A cover of The Crystals hit).  (Del-Fi 4300) "Gee Baby Gee" became an instant Eastside classic.

You May Listen To The Sisters "Gee Baby Gee" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1TiqeGYq6E

You May Listen To The Sisters "All Grown Up" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa-gdWrHlNo

Their next single also recorded in 1964 was "Ooh Poo Pa Do" and "Happy New Year Baby" (Del-Fi 4302). On this single they were backed by the band, Ronnie & The Casuals. "Ooh Poo Pa Do" was a smash hit for Jesse Hill in 1960.

You May Listen To The Sisters "Ooh Poo Pa Doo" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMU-OE_8a4U

You May Listen To The Sisters "Happy New Year Baby" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK-P8i6vxvs

Their third and last record "Wait Till My Bobby Gets Home" ( cover of the Darlene Love smash hit) and "For Sentimental Reasons" (in my opinion The Sisters best recording) (Del-Fi 4306) was also the final release for the label.

You May Listen To The Sisters "Wait Til My Bobby Gets Home" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ZZ_Wo1_qI

You May Listen To The Sisters "For Sentimental Reasons" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFNyJJ5a7yE

Also in 1964 The Sisters would record a song that was never released, "His Name Was John". You may listen to this track here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Un-Unys64&feature=relmfu


All of The Sisters released music can be found on the CD "Del-Fi Girl Groups: Gee Baby Gee" (DFCD 71266). I highly recommend you purchasing their truly fine compact disc.

Here is a rare photograph of The Sisters performing in the mid-1960's:

After their third single the group would break-up. In 1969, Ersi Arvisu would join a band called the VIP's which would later become El Chicano. Ersi would sing on El Chicano's second Album, "Revolution" the classic Mexican standard "Sabor A Mi". Her version of "Sabor A Mi" would become an Eastside classic and my favorite version of the tune.

"Sabor A Mi" would be bootlegged on several labels including Fine Sounds and Black Jack

You May Listen To El Chicano (Featuring Ersi Arvisu) "Sabor A Mi" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpcWW5UIP6Y

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Solely for historical, educational and listening pleasure.

RECOMMENDED READING - ROCK THE NATION

Roberto Avant-Mier is Associate Professor in the Department of Communication, University of Texas, El Paso. His research focuses on the discursive construction of Latino/a identity(ies) as well as cultural issues in popular music and other media. In addition to research on Latino/as and rock music (in various sub-genres), other forthcoming research focuses on rap music and world music.

  In his book "Rock The Nation Latin/O Identities And The Rock Diaspora", author Roberto Avant-Mier looks at the Latino influence in many of rock's genres including the Eastside Sound, Tex-Mex, Hard Rock & even rap.

 

Here is a review fron the GoodReads website:

 

This is an alternative history of rock music, from a Latino/Hispanic perspective, which focuses on the story of the rock genre with an emphasis on identity politics. "Rock the Nation" amounts to a first-time-ever scholarly study of Latino/Hispanic identity through an examination of the history of rock 'n' roll music by linking Latin Rock from the U.S. with Latin Rock music from Latin America. As the author argues, the developments of both U.S.-based Latin Rock music and non-U.S. Latin Rock illuminate several contemporary issues and reveal interesting paradoxes with regard to identity politics (e.g., language, culture, race, class, gender and nationality). Music in Spanish has been used to resist English and the imposition of mainstream U.S. culture in general; yet for Latin Americans, singing in English and adopting U.S. popular culture has allowed youth to resist the hegemonic nationalisms of their own countries (i.e., countering notions of U.S. cultural imperialism). Therefore, in both U.S.- Latin Rock and Latin American Rock music, the rock 'n' roll genre reveals how Latino/a youth use rock music for achieving assimilation to mainstream culture(s) at the same time that they resist the hegemony of dominant culture(s).

 

I have just recently purchased this book and will be back with my own review after I give it a good read.

 

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

 

Soley for historical, educational and listening pleasure.

EASTSIDE LEGENDS - DOUG & FREDDY

Doug Salma (Salamanca) and Freddy Ruiz were junior high school students at Mountain View Junior High School in El Monte, California in the late 1950's. They had written a song called "Wedding Ring" and recorded a demo. They took the demo to Johnny Otis who was a disc jockey on radio station KALI. A dispute arose over the song's publishing rights and it was never released.

  The duo was approached by Sugar Hall, wife of guitarist Rene Hall who took a demo tape to Rod Pierce and Jake Levy who owned Rendevous Records. In 1959, their first release would be "A Lover's Plea" and "I Believe In Love". The two tracks are very nice "teen" sounds. The record would lead to a number of local appearances at El Monte Legion Stadium with Ritchie Valens and Little Julian Herrera also on the bill.

You May Listen To Doug & Freddy "A Lover's Plea" and "I Believe In Love" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPRdzg2LzME

  In 1961 Doug Salma met producer Kim Fowley who would release Doug & Freddy's next single "Need Your Love" and "Campus Girl" on the K&G label (K&G 100). At the session they would be backed by the local band Pat & The Panics (Pat Patensio). Again two very nice "teen" sounds

In 1962 Fowley release "Itty Bitty Girl" and "Darling It's Wonderful" on the Old Sound label (Old Sound 809). by Salma & Ruiz but under the name of The Memories. "Itty Bitty Girl" had been recorded at the "Wedding Ring" demo session and "Darling It's Wonderful" was a remake of the 1957 hit by The Lovers. The backing band was Bill Destro & The Destinies. A special thank you to my dear friend in Ireland, RossyBoy for sending me this valuable record to add to my collection.

In 1961 Doug & Freddy would record with an intrumental group called The Pyramids and produced by Gary Paxton.  The teen doo wop tunes "Take A Chance On Love" and "And I Know You're Lyin'" would be released on the Finer Arts label (Finer Arts 101) . The record was released twice, one label showing a Hollywood address and the other a Denver, Coloroado origin.

You May Listen To Doug & Freddy "Take A Chance On Love" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6j8Edd_Mp0

In 1963 Doug & Freddy backed Johnny Flamingo on "I Just Cry" and "Is It A Dream"

You May Listen To Johnny Flamingo "I Just Cry" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_HmN-3gzzw

You May Listen To Johnny Flamingo "Is It A Dream" Here:

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

Shortly thereafter, Doug & Freddy would split up.

In 1964 Doug Salma teamed up with Richard Berry & his wife Dorothy & became The Tri-Tones. They would release "Tear Drops" and "Everytime I Think Of You" an the Miss Julie label (Miss Julie 6501). The tunes are classic doo wop.

You May Listen To The Tri-Tones "Tear Drops" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ILjlkDLVg8

You May Listen To The Tri-Tones "Everytime I Think Of You" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRuTRh_h4gc


Later in 1964, The Tri-Tones backed Doug Stevens on "Summer's A Comin" and "You're Gonna Be Sorry" for the Miss Julie label (Miss Julie 6503).

EDITORS NOTE::

Many thanks to my good friend and fellow collector from across the pond, RossyBoy for providing the scans for The Memories 45.


NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Solely for historical, educational & listening pleasure.

EASTSIDE LEGENDS - THE PEREZ BROTHERS

                 (Photos courtesy of Renee (Gordy's daughter)


The Perez Brothers were the Hispanic duo of Ralph "Gordy" Perez and Louie Perez. They hailed from Canoga Park, California. On their 1963 recording of "(At Night) Dream A Little Dream" and "I'm Truly Truly Yours" the brothers were backed by the group, The Gents.

Louie "Donsi" Perez (vocals,bass)
Raplh "Gordy" Perez (vocals, drums)
Danny Rosales (keyboards)
Gil Rocha (vibes)
Sal Barragan (sax)
Phil Barragan (trumpet)
Gil Luna (trumpet)
Dick Lowe (trumpet)
Walter Takate (trumpet)


  The single was funded by Ofie Martinez, a woman who broadcast a radio show from the San Fernando valley and also ran a record shop in Pacoima. The single was released on the Ofie label (Ofie 200) and on the Wolfie label (Wolfie 103).
  "(At Night) Dream A Little Dream is a remake of a tune by Fred Parris & The New Yorkers. "I'm Truly Truly Yours" is a remake of a Robert & Johnny tune.

The single caught on quickly in the Los Angeles area & the duo performed at many venues such as the Monebello Ball Room, the Shrine Auditorium and the El Monte Legion Stadium. They were also featured on several televison dance shows including Larry McCormick's "Kicksville".


  Both "Dream A Little Dream" and "Truly Truly Yours" are Eastside Classics.

You May Listen To The Perez Brothers "Dream A Little Dream" Here:

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

You May Listen To The Perez Brothers "I'm Truly Truly Yours" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTWcfIMu9KU

Photo courtesy of Gilbert Rocha


NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical, educational and listening pleasure.

 

EASTSIDE LEGENDS - CHAVEZ & CHANEY AKA FRANKIE & JOHNNY/THE JAGUARS/THE SEVILLES

Manuel Chavez and Herman "Sonny" Chaney were original members of the vocal group The Jaguars (see my post from July 4,2011) before they began recording as a duo.

  In 1959 and recording under the name Frankie & Johnny they cut "My First Love" and "Do You Love Me" for John Marascalco on the Sabrina label (Sabrina 331) It would be re-issued on the Liberty label in 1960 (Liberty 55271).

"My First Love" is an Eastside classic and fine doo wop ballad.

You May Listen To Frankie & Johnny "My First Love" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxT7i0FgfkI

You May Listen To Frankie & Johnny "Do You Love Me" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXR-kIThIOQ

In 1960 Chavez & Chaney would record "Be My Love" and Picadilly Rose" for producer Tony Hilder on the Spry label (Spry 122) under their own names.

" Be My Love" would be re-issued as "Please Be My Love Tonight" with overdubbed strings (Blast Off 100) and again credited to Frankie & Johnny.

You May Listen To Frankie & Johnny "Please Be My Love Tonight" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLHaun3zBYY

You May Listen To Chavez & Chaney AKA Frankie & Johnny "Picadilly Rose" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiVyO7M4p-Q

Frankie & Johnny "Do You Love Me" and Chavez & Chaney "Picadilly Rose" are available on the CD The Jaguars "The Way You Look Tonight" (Earth Angel Records)

In 1960 Manny Chavez would form a group called the Sevilles and record an Eastside classic "Charlena" The group included Johnny White & Charles Wright of The Shields, Tommy "Buster" Williams of the Turks and Johnny Morisette of The Medallions.

You May Listen To The Sevilles "Charlena" Here:

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

You will find more information on the group, The Sevilles and their subsequent recordings at the Color Radio website found here:

http://www.colorradio.com/sevilles.htm

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Solely for historical, educational and listening pleasure.

EASTSIDE PRODUCERS - BOB KEANE

We have briefly touched on some on the early producers of the Eastside Sound. DJ's Huggy Boy and Art Laboe and R&B star Johnny Otis dabbled in producing records. We now look the legendary, Bob Keane.

Bob Keane was born Robert Kuhn in Manhattan Beach, California in 1922. He was a clarinet player, and his ambition was to front a big band like his idol, Benny Goodman. He did so, and in 1938, at age 17, he was setting up to play his first show, at Glendale Junior College and was approached by an employee of KFWB, a Los Angeles radio station, who wanted to broadcast the concert on air to replace a canceled scheduled show. The next day Keane received a phone call from an agent at MCA who had heard the broadcast on KFWB, and who wanted to sign Keane to the label. MCA billed him as "The World's Youngest Bandleader".
MCA dropped Keane from the label in 1941 as they felt he was likely to be drafted. Keane decided to enlist in the Army Air Force, and was retired from active service due to a lung infection. He returned to Los Angeles and continued to play clarinet in several bands. In 1950, he was offered a job as a conductor on The Hank McCune Show, a new radio show. After the first episode, the producer approached Bob and told him that he would have to change his name, as the announcer was pronouncing Kuhn as "Coon". A band colleague suggested Keen, after a popular Woody Herman song, "Peachy Keen", to which Bob decided to add an 'e'. Later on in life he changed this to Keane.
  By 1955 Keane was playing clarinet in several bars and clubs around Los Angeles, and one evening met businessman John Siamas, who persuaded Bob to set up a record label with him. The label would be known as Keen Records, with Bob working as an A&R man. He was given an acetate of two songs by Sam Cooke, who at the time using his original surname, Cook, and singing in a gospel group called The Soul Stirrers. On the acetate was "Summertime" and "You Send Me". Sam Cook was signed to a three-year contract with Keen, his surname changed just as Bob's had been, and the songs were subsequently pressed and released as the first single on Keen Records. Originally "Summertime" was intended to be the A-side, and sold moderately. It was only when a DJ played the B-side that the record took off, and by November 25 1957, it reached #1 on the Billboard chart.

At this point, despite Keen Records having earned over $1,000,000 from sales of "You Send Me", Bob only had an oral contract with Siamas. Upon asking when the corporation was to be formed and when he was likely to receive stock certificates for the company, he received a letter asking for him to invest $5000 (which, of course, he did not have) into his own company should he wish to remain a partner. He realized that he had been tricked into finding a hit record and then pushed out of the company.
   While waiting for legal proceedings against Siamas to begin, Bob's wife suggested that he set up another label, and approach someone else who had also been duped by Siamas to put up the money to do so. Taking its name from Delphi, the Greek god of music and inspiration, the new label was named Del-Fi Records. The first release was "Caravan" by Henri Rose, which sold well, and led to Warner Brothers Records offering Keane $8000 for Henri Rose's contract, which he accepted, and which enabled him to buy out his business partner.
   In May 1958, Keane discovered Ritchie Valens performing a Saturday matinee show in a movie theatre in Pacoima, California and invited Valens to audition in the basement of his home, where he had set up a small recording studio. A formal contract was signed, and Valens and Keane spent hours in the basement working on songs together. Among the songs was "Come On Let's Go", which was recorded in Gold Star Studios in July 1958, and released as Valens' first single soon after. This single, and the follow-up, "Donna" b/w "La Bamba", were smash hits. Keane served as Valens' manager as well as producer, booking shows for him across America and several TV performances.
 After Valens' death in February 1959, Del-Fi records continued, and unlike the rest of the major labels in Hollywood, Del-Fi had an "open door" policy - anybody with music they wanted to be released could approach the Del-Fi offices and get it played to Bob Keane. In an interview, he remarked "I'll listen to anyone, even if they bring 'em in on a stretcher."
Other notable artists on Del-Fi over the next few years included Chan Romero, Little Caesar & The Romans, Ron Holden, the Carlos Brothers, the Gallahads and the Sisters.
  In September 2003, Keane sold the Del-Fi catalog to the Warner Music Group.
  Keane was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma when he was 80, and died of renal failure on November 28, 2009.

Many rare tracks from the Del-Fi archives can be found on various CD compilations which are still available. I highly recommend you seek them out.

A discography of Keen singles can be found here:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/wdd/keen.htm

A discography of Del-Fi singles can be found here:

http://www.globaldogproductions.info/d/del-fi.html

To learn more about the life and times of Bob Keane and the artists he produced I recommend his autobiography "The Oracle Of Del-Fi"

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Soley for hisorical, educational & listening pleasure.