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.

YOU FOUND THAT EASTSIDE SOUND - FIRST ANNIVERSARY EDITION

YOU FOUND THAT EASTSIDE SOUND is one year old today. I wish to thank everyone who has followed this site & thank those artists who have e-mailed me with their thoughts & corrections.

It has taken me a year to lay the ground work and explore the musical roots. What lies ahead in year two is what I call the "meat & potatoes" of the Eastside Sound. The emergence of manager/record producers Eddie Davis & Billy Cardenas and manager Eddie Torres gave the Eastside Sound what it lacked. There was no lack of talent or great music. There just wasn't enough promotion. With the help of these promoters, the Eastside Sound would make it's impact on the national scene.


The music continued to grow and mature with the times right along side Beatlemania and Motown. There were more weekend dances and concerts as the East L.A. bands filled venues in the Los Angeles area. Radio stations began  sponsoring concerts and heavily promoting them over the airwaves.

A large number of car clubs were formed & cruising Whittier Boulevard became a way of life.

From the mid 1960's through the end of the decade a number of bands would make the scene & we will take a good look at the artists and their music. We will also look at some of the legendary record labels.


It was truly "the best of times".


NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Solely for historical & educational purposes.

EASTSIDE OLDIES (PART 1)

In this, the first of many parts that I will call "Eastside Oldies" we will look at music which was popular in the Los Angeles area from the 1950's through the 1970's. Many of the artists will be from the Los Angeles area or artists who performed in L.A. but we will also look at records & artists from across the United States.

   These posts will feature rare and "odd ball" records as well as "low rider" music and songs popular on request and dedication shows hosted by Huggy Boy and Art Laboe. We will also look at songs which I find interesting and caught my attention when I heard them on the radio or in other collectors' collections. These records are also important in understanding "The Eastside Sound" and the Latin/Chicano culture. Each part will feature 10 records/songs.

In part one, I feature songs from of the Los Angeles area. Anyone with more information or better record scans please contact me or leave a comment.


DONNY & THE BI-LANGOS - "I"/"I'M NOT A KNOW IT ALL"

(left to right: Sunny Suchil, Danny Vasquez, Moe Estevene, Lupe "Raider Rivera") circa 1960's


Band out of Colton, California, Donnie & The Bi-Langos (Bi_Lango meaning biligual because they could sing in English and Spanish) privately pressed this single on the Colton label. "I" is a cover version of the 1953 hit by the Velvets and "I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent" is a cover version of the Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers doo wop classic. This record is believed to be released in 1963.

GENTONES - "COUNTING STARS"/(THANKS HER FOR ME) CITY LIGHTS"

Recorded for Casino Records in Hollywood this double sided doo wop rarity "Counting Stars"/"(Thank Her For Me) City Lights' was recorded in 1961 by the Gentones with lead singer Victor Moreno

BIP & BOP - "DING DONG DING"

Bip & Bop were a vocal duo with members Emanuel Perez and Billy Guy who recorded "Ding Dong Ding" in 1955 at L.A's. Capitol studios backed by Johnny's Combo (probably a Johnny Otis group). The record was released on the Aladdin label (Aladdin 3267)

The tune is along the same lines as "Ko Ko Mo" recorded by Gene & Eunice on the Combo label.
Billy Guy would then go on to join the Coasters the following year.

You May Listen To Bip & Bip "Ding Dong Ding" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMuB0FFwWkI



RON & THE EMBRACERS - "YOU CAME INTO MY HEART"

I don't know anything about this group except that they were from East Los Angeles. They recorded "You Came Into My Heart" for the Spectrum label (Spectrum 2) possibly in 1972.

The tune is an example of the Eastside Soul Sound is highly sought after by Northern Soul collectors.

You May Listen To Ron & The Embracers " You Came Into My Heart" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdtqj8GBAbE




YOLANDA & CHARMAINES - "THERE OUTTA BE A LAW"


A girl group out of Los Angeles headed by Yolanda Lee, they recorded "There Ought To Be A Law" for the Smash label in 1962. (Smash 1777)

You May Listen To Yolanda & The Charmaines "There Out To Be A Law" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSk6bOP8E3Y



LARRY & MIKE - "QUEEN OF THE STARLIGHT DANCE"/"WE FELL IN LOVE"


Out of Los Angeles this duo recorded a double-sided doo wop smash with that Eastside Sound for the Picadilly label in 1963 (Picadilly 500)

You May Listen To Larry & Mike "Queen Of The Starlight Dance" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2ybJ0IF5U8

You May Listen To Larry & Mike "Let's Fall In Love" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_DJt61gQBY



ROBERT & BOBBY - "GIRL OF MY DREAMS"/"ONCE UPON A TIME"

Another double-sided fantastic record out of the Los Angeles area. Robert & Bobby claimed to be the nephews of the late Jessie Belvin and songwriting credit on both sides of the record are given to the Jessie Belvin Estate.

The record was released in 1962 on the Chart label (Chart 01). Robert & Bobby would go on to record for Capital Records as The Uniques in 1963.

You May Listen To Robert & Bobby "Girl Of My Dreams" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st8sj8GWxSw

You May Listen To Robert & Bobby "Once Upon A Time" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E7q636t_VY



THE RESONICS - "SPLIT PERSONALITY"

The members of this group were Horace "Pookie" Wooten, Charles Jackson, James Warren and Ray Daugherty. The core of this group had previously sang with a group called the Lions of "Two Timing Lover" fame in 1960.

In 1963, The Resonics recorded "Split Personality" for the Unity label (Unity 101). This song with it's duet-styled lead is the Eastside Sound at it's finest and one of my all-time favorites and I played it heavily as a disc jockey on KELA Radio at East Los Angeles College.

You May Listen To The Resonics "Split Personality" Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtm8CBissAk


RICHARD BRACAMONTES - "PLAYING WITH YOUR THING"/CURTIS LITTLE - "DON'T UNDERSTAND"

Whether or not this 45 RPM record has anything to do with Thee Enchantments, a group from Los Angeles, California is up for debate. Their name appears on the label but the singers are other artists. Perhaps they were the band backing up the artists. At any rate the record was pressed on the privately owned Custom Fidelity label on Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles. Same label that pressed "Beggin' You" for the Royal Chessmen.

THE IVORYS - "WHY DON'T YOU WRITE ME"

I don't know anything about the group, The Ivorys, but according to record collector/dealer Jerry Hollicheck from whom I bought my first copy, the group was from the Los Angeles area. This is also noted by Ruben Molina in his book "Chicano Soul - Recordings & History Of An American Culture"

Although writing credit went to Laura Hollis, the song was written by Johnny Staton, a member of the L.A. group, the Feathers. The Feathers recorded "Why Don't You Write Me" for the Show Time label in 1955 (Show Time 1105). The song was promptly covered by another L.A. group, The Jacks for the RPM label (RPM 428) also in 1955. The Jacks had the bigger hit.

It stands to reason that since two L.A. groups had recorded the song that the Ivorys could have been from Los Angeles. Add to that the fact that it was released on the Sparta label (who also released a Rosie & The Originals record). The Ivorys released " Why Don't You Write Me" for Sparta label (Sparta 01) in 1962.

You May Listen To The Ivorys "Why Don't You Write Me", a fine doo wop ballad Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWK5HC5uroc


NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Solely for historical, educational & listening purposes.