EASTSIDE BANDS - THE ROMANCERS

EDITOR'S NOTE:

My most sincere gratitude goes out to Max Uballez for correcting some of the text & helping me get the story right. Max is working on a  Romancers compilation CD scheduled for release in the coming months.
For more information on Max, The Romancers and CD releases please visit his site by following this link.

http://makzrecords.com

Early Group:

Max Uballez (guitar, vocals)
Richard Provincio (guitar)
Andy Tesso (guitar)
Manuel "Magoo" Rodriguez (bass, vocals)
Chris Pascual (bass, vocals)
David Brill (drums)
Manuel Mosqueda (drums)
Joe Whiteman (sax)
Armando Mora (sax)
Bobby Marty (sax)
David Bajorquez (sax)
Jimmy Pascual (guitar)

Linda Records group:

Max Uballez (guitar, vocals)
Bobby Hernandez (guitar, vocals)
Manuel "Magoo" Rodriguez (bass, vocals)
Ralph Ventura (sax, trumpet & vocals)
Manuel Mosqueda (drums, vocals)
Cesar Valverde (sax)
Johnny Diaz (guitar & vocals)

The Romancers were the first East L.A. band  to record an album and were a huge influence on the Eastside Sound from the early to mid 1960's. They were also the first East L.A. band to work with the team of Billy Cardenas & Eddie Davis.

The early members of the group lived in the Lincoln Heights district of East Los Angeles and they attended Lincoln High School. The Romancers met Billy Cardenas when Billy asked the band to perform at a party at Billy's home. Billy took an immediate liking to the group and especially lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Max Uballez who sounded very much like Ritchie Valens.

Billy called Bob Keane (Del-Fi/Donna Records) who had recorded Ritchie Valens and got Max an audition. There, Max Uballez recorded a song he was working on called "You'd Better" For some reason Keane decided not to release it or perhaps took too long in deciding so Billy took Max & The Romancers to Magic Circle Records in Santa Monica, CA and re-recorded the tune. The promotion man at Magic Circle decided to use the name Maximilian on the single's release. The song got immediate airplay on radio station KFWB.

Released in 1962, Maximilian 'You'd Better" with rocker, "Butterball" (written by Billy Cardenas) on the Magic Circle label (Magic Circle 4226).

Bob Keane decided he wanted to keep Max on his label so Billy & Max returned to Del-Fi where Max cut two tracks released under the name Max Uballes on his Donna label (Donna 1377) in 1962 "Rock Little Darlin' is a Ritchie Valens tune. "Shirley" is a teen sound & was written by Jimmy Foster who also recorded the tune for Del-Fi.

The release of this record caused legal problems with Magic Circle and Max was unable to record as a vocalist because of the contract his mother had signed.

This prompted Max to write two instrumentals "Slauson Shuffle" and "All Aboard" which were release in 1963 on the Del-Fi label (Del-Fi 4225).

After the session Keane asked the group if they had any more songs. They wrote seven more songs and did three covers and an album was put together in five hours time. The album was called "Do the Slauson" and it was released on the Del-Fi label (Del-Fi 1245) in 1963.

This album will be reviewed in the Vinyl Classics section.

The success of "Do The Slauson" prompted Del-Fi to release another Romancers instrumental album. "Let's Do The Swim" was released in 1963 on Del-Fi's subsidiary label Selma Records (Selma 1501)

This album will be reviewed in the Vinyl Classics section.

In 1995 Del-Fi would release the album on compact disc as "The Slauson Shuffle" and includes tracks from both of their albums (Del-Fi DFCD 71252-2).

This CD is currently still available and is a must for all Eastside Sound collectors.

By this time The Romancers were honing their skills and gaining popularity in the East Los Angeles area. A girls social club called "The Romancerettes" was formed and they helped promote dances at the local halls. The sound they created would influence other east L.A. bands such as The Premiers, Cannibal & The Headhunters, The Atlantics & The Blendells and Max would write songs for these groups.

The Romancers became the house band at El Monte Legion Stadium but would have a falling out with manager, Bill Cardenas. Many of the band members left with Max and continued on their own. Eddie Davis saw The Romancers play at the Rainbow Gardens in Pomona and he asked them into his studio to record. The group now consisted of Max Uballes on guitar & vocals, Bobby Hernandez on lead guitar, Johnny Diaz on guitar, Cesar Valverde on sax, Magoo Rodriguez on bass & vocals and Manuel Mosqueda on drums & vocals.

The Romancers first single for Eddie Davis' Linda Records would be " Don't Let Her Go" and "I Did The Wrong Thing" released in 1964 (Linda 117).

In 1965, The Romancers would record "My Heart Cries" and "Tell Her I Love Her" released on the Linda label (Linda 119). "My Heart Cries" is a remake of the Etta & Harvey tune and is a true Eastside classic

For their third single on the Linda label The Romancers recorded "Do You Cry" and "Love's The Thing" also in 1965 (Linda 120)

In 1966, The Romancers would release their fourth single for Eddie Davis & Linda Records "She Gives Me Love" and "Take My Heart" (Linda 124)

Also in 1966 The Romancers would release their fifth and final single for the Linda label. "She Took My Oldsmobile" and "That's Why I Love You" (Linda 125)

Also in 1966, The Romancers would re-release two of their songs as The Smoke Rings. "Love's The Thing" and "She Gives Me Love" would be released on the Dot label (Dot 16975) and on the Prospect label (Prospect 101)

The Romancers had a fine body of work. They have been labeled a garage band by most music collectors and therefore their records are highly collectible and of great value.

One other note on The Romancers, they were the backing band on The Heartbreakers song "Everytime I See You" with Frank Zappa on lead guitar. (See The Heartbreakers in Eastside Legends section).

Max Uballez would go on to form another band, Macondo on the early 1970's.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ROMANCERS PLEASE CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY MARK GUERRERO FOUND HERE:

http://www.markguerrero.com/19.php

ALSO PLEASE CHECK OUT RUBEN MOLINA'S BOOK "CHICANO SOUL - RECORDINGS & HISTORY OF AN AMERICAN CULTURE"

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!

Solely for historical & educational purposes and for listening pleasure.

VINYL CLASSICS - THE MIXTURES "STOMPIN AT THE RAINBOW"

Hailing from Oxnard, California, The Mixtures were one of the first multi-racial and cross-cultural bands in the greater Los Angeles area. Their music was a mix of Latin rock, R&B and surf/instrumental stylings. A profile of the group is featured in my Eastside Bands section.

Recorded on February 12. 1962 at the Rainbow Gardens in Pomona, California "Stompin' At The Rainbow" is the Mixtures caught at thier best. A few of the cuts, "Rainbow Stomp Part 1", "Rainbow Stomp Part 2" and "Turkey Time" were studio recordingS with a live sound added at the time of mixing but the rest of the tracks were recorded live by recording engineer, Wally Heider.

The album features some of the Mixtures original tunes and some great covers. The group is introduced by disc jockey Bob Eubanks and the band goes into some instrumentals with rockin' guitar riffs:  "Peter Gunn Theme" "Surfers Stomp" and The Peppermint Twist"". Medley" features Chick Carlton (whom we will feature later) singing a medly of rocking Little Ricard tunes, "Jenny Jenny" "Lucille" "Good Golly Miss Molly" "The Girl Can't Help It" and Don & Dewey's "Justine". For all the slow-dancers, Del Franklin's "That's All I Ask" is an outstanding track.

"Stompin At The Rainbow" was released on March 19,1962 on Eddie Davis' Linda Records (Linda 3301).


In 2010, Minky records re-released "Stompin' At The Rainbow" on vinyl and on compact disc. This is the complete Mixtures which includes the "Stompin' At The Rainbow" album and the 6 Linda Records singles.  (MKY2)

Copies are still available via this link:

https://www.midheaven.com/item/stompin-at-the-rainbow-by-mixtures-cd


NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!

Solely for historical & Educational purposes.

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.