HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY WITH TIERRA OCTOBER 29

Eastside Legends Tierra will headline a special Halloween costume party at Nick's Taste Of Texas on October 29, 2011. Hosted by Mr Duran, this show looks to be go good it's scary. Don't miss this great night of music & memories and dress up as your favorite Halloween character. Music, dancing and adult beverages. KEEPIN' THE MUSIC ALIVE!!!

EASTSIDE LEGENDS - THE VELVETEENS

Editor's Note:

Thanks to Greg Russo Of Russo-Buff Publishing LLC and Crossfire Productions I have made some corrections to this text especially record release dates.

The Velveteens hailed from Pomona, California and were headed by bandleader Johnny Valenzuela Jr. In junior high he took up trumpet and saxophone but switched to guitar after seeing Richie Valens play at a concert at El Monte Legion Stadium. He formed a band called "The Velveteens" which included members:

Danny Espinoza - Sax

Rod Rodriguez - Guitar

Johnny Valenzuela - Piano

Poly Rodriguez - Bass

Danny Valenzuela - Drums

Their first record was a pair of instrumentals "Dog Patch Creeper" and "Johnny's Jump" which were released on Paul Buff's Emmy label (Emmy 1005) in 1960 recorded at The Pal Studios in Cucamonga, California

You May Listen To The Velveteens "Dog Patch Creeper" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7wHIuHK6u4

Yo May Listen To The Velveteens "Johnny's Jump" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_GzkaGNgM8

Even though Poly Rodriguez was the band's original bassist, he played lead guitar on both sides of this single.

At the L.A. County Fairgrounds Johnny Valenzulea discovered a female vocalist, Mary Unzuetta (Mary Lou Zuetta) of San Dimas, California. With Mary Lou as lead vocalist the group recorded "Oh Baby" and "Come Back"on the Emmy label (Emmy 1007) in February 1961. Both sides are teen doo wop in the style of Rosie & The Originals "Angel Baby"

Soon after, two girls from Chino, Terri Bonilla & Lucy Duran were added to the group. They recorded "Bells Of Love" and "You've Brokem My Heart" at Paul Buff's Pal Studios and released it on the Kerwood label (Kerwood 711) in February 1961. On the record Terri Bonilla sings lead & Lucy Duran & Mary Lou Zuetta sing background harmony.

You May Listen To Terri & The Velveteens "Bells Of Love" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a7FmdoUCHA

You May Listen To Terri & The Velveteens "You've Broken My Heart" Here:

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

Around the same time Spider Ray Quinones recorded a song with The Velveteens called "Maria" at Pal Studios which exists as an acetate. Spider Ray & The Velveteens also recorded "While We Dance" and "It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day)."While We Dance" and "Maria" were released on the Boss label (Boss 102) in February 1961.. It is yet another fine doowop recording by the group.

You May Listen To Johnny Valenzuela & The Velveteens "Maria" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucgRje2AWzI&NR=1

"It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day)" remains unreleased as far as I know.

Johnny Valenzuela & Terri Bonilla were married and began performing as a duo around the Pomona-San Dimas area. As Terri & The Velveteens they recorded "I'm Waiting" and "La Flor" at Art Laboe's Original Sound Studios and the record was released with some extra background singers overdubbed on the Arc label (Arc 6534) released in January 1961,

You May Listen To Terri & The Velveteens "I'm Waiting" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53ZDds54FG4

You May Listen To Terri & The Velveteens "La Flor" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ04ISOz_9I

 Terri Bonilla and Ray "Spider Ray" Quinones (Of Rene & Ray) would record "I Miss You So" and "Your Tender Lips" for the Donna label (Donna 1365) under the name Terri & Johnnie.

But this may not be the case. It is now believed that Johnny Valenzuela did sing the duet with Terri Bonilla and they co-authored the B side and that record was released in May 1962 and would be their last.

You May Listen To Terri & Johnnie "I Miss You So" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9HhtOzA82c

You May Listen To Terri & Johnnie "Your Tender Lips" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5ZTos430WE

Lucy Duran would join up with Ruben Pando & Frankie Gonzales to form the Triangles.

In 1961, Fifo Records would release "My Oh My" and "Really I Do" (Fifo 107)

                                                           The Triangles

                                                            Lucy Duran, Reuben Pando, Frankie Gonzales

Lucy Duran would record for Fifo as a solo artist. "Oh Sweet Baby" and "I Tried To Make You Understand" would also be released in 1961. (Fifo 109)

Lucy Duran & The Velveteens

(Photo courtesy of Anthony Piceno)

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Solely for historical, educational & listening pleasure

SALUTING EASTSIDE MUSIC LEGENDS

On Sunday, October 23,2011, Mi Hacienda in Pico Rivera, California plays host to another walk down memory lane with the Eastside Sound. The show features three artists already spotlighted on YFTES as well as the Premiers.
  Chan Romero ("Hippy Hippy Shake"), The Story Tellers ("You Played Me A Fool") and The Heartbreakers ('Cradle Rock") provide what should be a wonderful night of music & memories. Show starts at 2:00 P.M. If you live anywhere near the PR area you won't want to misss this one.

Chan Romero at Mi Hacienda (10/23/11)

The Story Tellers at Mi Hacienda (10/23/11)

The Heartbreakers at Mi Hacienda (10/23/11)

Photos courtesy of Rosalie Luna Hernandez.

Gracias Rosalie!!


NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Soley for historical, educational & listening pleasure.

EASTSIDE LEGENDS - THE HEARTBREAKERS

EDITORS NOTE: This text was recently revised thanks to me meeting Benny & Joe.

Brothers, Benny & Joe Rodriguez were born in El Paso, Texas. At ages 6 and 4 respectively their father taught them vocal harmony.

When Benny was 14 and Joe was 12, they moved to East Los Angeles where Benny attended Roosevelt High School. They were discovered by Billy Cardenas (more on Billy later) who was the manager of the group, the Romancers. The Romancers were under contract to producer Bob Keane.

 At Paul Buff's Pal Studio in Rancho Cucamonga, California they recorded "Cradle Rock" and "Everytime I See You". "Cradle Rock" was a re-make of a song recorded by the Rhythm Heirs on the Yucca label in 1959. The flip side "Everytime I See You" was co-written by Frank Zappa and Ray Collins (of Little Julian Herrera & The Tigers). The record was released on the Donna label (Donna 1381) in 1963.

You May Listen To The Heartbreakers "Cradle Rock" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL7Sk1rwqgk

You May Listen To The Heartbreakers "Everytime I See You" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_ZQEjNs9OU

The Heartbreakers al recorded in 1963, "Leavin' It All Up To You" and "Corrido Marsh" on the Brent label (Brent 7037). "Leavin' It All Up To You" was a remake of the Don & Dewey hit & "Corrida Mash" was a rockin' instrumental. These two songs were produced by Bumps Blackwell of Little Richard fame.

In 1964 the Heartbreakers recorded "Please Answer" and "She Is My Baby" for producer Eddie Davis and the Linda label (Linda 114). "Please Answer " was penned by Benny. "She's My Baby" was penned by Larry Tamblyn. On these two tracks, they were backed by The Mixtures, a mixed-race band from Pomona, California.

You May Listen To The Heartbreakers "Please Answer" Here:

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

You May Listen To The Heartbreakers "She Is My Baby" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLOGNcZkqs0

"She Is My Baby" is also available on the highly recommended CD "Frankie Firme Presents 16 Rare & Golden Treasures"  From The Vaults Of Rampart Records at this East LA Revue link:

http://eastlarevue.com/store.php

Both Benny and Joe have college degrees. Benny in Chemistry and Joe in Education

In 2015, the Heartbreakers released a compact disc entitled "Greetings From East Los Angeles"
SEE MY POST - KEEPIN' THE MUSIC ALIVE - THE HEARTBREAKERS

The Heartbreakers are yet another act to be very popular at El Monte Legion Stadium. Today they are still playing local gigs as they will be in Pico Rivera on October 23, 2011 and also at the Legends Of Chicano Soul Show in December 2011 at the Gibson Ampitheater.

Two of the finest gentlemen I have ever met.

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical, educational and listening pleasure.

EASTSIDE ARTISTS - THE APOLLO BROTHERS

The Apollo Brothers were Ruben Guevara from North Hollywood High School and Paul Amarillas from Bosco High School in Montebello, California. They began as a three-vocal group called the Vanteens but soon became a duo. They took their name from a car club called "The Apollos In The Valley"

  In 1961 they recorded "My Beloved One" and Riot on the Cleveland label (Cleveland 108). The doo wop-teen ballad "My Beloved One" got heavy airplay on radio staion KDAY with Alan Freed.

  The popularity of the song got the Apollo Brothers numerous gigs in the Los Angeles and Long Beach areas and they were a big hit at El Monte Legion Stadium.

You May Listen To The Apollo Brothers "My Beloved One" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UaMjyfqiss

In 1968, Frank Zappa released a concept album titled "Cruising With Ruben & The Jets", with members of the Mothers Of Invention taking on the personas of a fictional 1950s doo-wop group. Ruben Guevara approached Frank Zappa following a concert to tell him how much he loved the album, pointing out that he shared a first name with the album's fictional lead singer, and that Guevara had performed music of the doo wop style

. Two years later, Zappa suggested that Guevera start his own band, and eventually gave approval for the band to be named "Ruben and the Jets". We will explore the band, Ruben & The Jets later on.


NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

SoleLy for historical, educational and listening pleasure.

EASTSIDE LEGENDS - THE STORY TELLERS

The Story Tellers were (left) Ruben Ochoa - bass & baritone, (center) Nick Delgado - first tenor & lead, (right) Al Sanchez - second tenor & lead and (not pictured) Sal Delgado - second tenor & bass. Ruben, Nick & Al were part of the high school glee club.

  They started as a group called The Pretenders while attending San Gabriel Mission High School in 1958. Ruben Ochoa && Al Sanchez were cousins.

  Norty Beckman, owner of Norty's Records on Faifax Avenue in Los Angeles heard the group singing at a gig in Long Beach signed them to a contract & changed their name to The Story Tellers.

  In 1959 the group recorded "You Played Me A Fool" and "Hey Baby". The record was first released on the Zenith label (Zenith 101) and the on the Stack label (Stack 501). At the same recording session they also backed Jess Davis & the Flashes and Freddy Flynn & The Flashes on their recordings. The record got a lot of local air play on late night shows & today is a highly sought-after record by collectors.

You May Hear The Story Tellers "You Played Me A Fool" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VjiM_tgJd0

According to Al Sanchez, they had wanted to record a remake of The Rivileers' "A Thousand Stars," but Beckman nixed the idea. Not long afterward, the song was a major hit for Kathy Young & The Innocents.

The group reunited in 1990 to record three singles for Bruce Patch's Classic Artists label. The are some of the finest doo wop tracks to come out of the Los Angeles area.

The first single was "Please Remember My Love" and "Gee But I Like Your Smile" Classic Artists 118

You May Listen To The Story Tellers "Please Remember My Love" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX1fCJPPFrY

You May Listen To The Story Tellers "Gee But I Like Your Smile" Here:

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

In 1991 they recorded the second single "Heaven's For Real" and "This Is Goodbye" Classic Artists 128

You May Listen To The Story Tellers "Heaven's For Real" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR7e1PI9cek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_OEmgcE6Cw

In 1992 The Story Tellers recorded their third single "Heart For Heart" and "The L.A. Shuffle" Classic Artists 133

You May Listen To The Story Tellers "Heart For Heart" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB1rEs2LK6Y

You May Listen To The Story Tellers "The L.A. Shuffle" Here:

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

The three Story Tellers 45's on Classic Artists are also available on red wax.

In 2007 the Story Tellers recorded "Rosie", a tribute to Rosie Hamlin of Rosie & The Originals for a benefit concert in her honor.

More information on the Story Tellers here:

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

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Solely for historical, educational and listening pleasure.

LATIN LEGENDS LIVE

The Eastside Sound comes to Anaheim, California this Saturday night, September 24, 2011 featuring three of East LA's finest acts. Tierra, El Chicano & Thee Midniters take the stage at the House Of Blues. It will certainly be a night to remeber and a show you won't want to miss. Re-live the music & memories of a day gone by with the Latin Legends Live.