EASTSIDE BANDS - PART 3

THE REVOLUTION

Band Members:

Al Santa Cruz: lead guitar

Jimmy Hughes: lead vocals

Joe Valenzuela: drums

Ruben Garcia: sax

John Guzman: bass

Thee Ambertones

Thee Ambertones

Thee Emeralds

Thee Emeralds at Pacific Ocean Park

The Mixtures (circa 1959)

Benny & The Midniters

The Village Callers (from left Johnny Gonzalez, keyboard; Charles Lueras, Sax; Adolfo “Fuzzy” Martinez, Sax; yours truly on Bass; Ernie Hernandez, Guitar; Manny Fernandez on Drums.

The Village Callers

 Thee Counts

The band members were TIM ZAMORA, bass guitar; CARLOS MONTIJO, vocalist; JOHNNY VIRAMONTES, vocalist; RICHARD MITSUNOAGA, lead guitar; BOBBY CURROLA, rhythm guitar; ART DUARTE, baritone sax; BOBBY RODRIQUEZ, trumpet; RONNIE WHEAT, drums; TOM CAVANAUGH, conga drums. Ladies and Gentlemen, THEE COUNTS 1964.

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EASTSIDE BANDS - THE MONTEREYS

Over the years there have been many groups who have adopted the name The Montereys.I will preface this post with the fact that this information may or may not be true but my research has had me intrigued for years as to whether it is. The information I am posting here is a combination of information i found on the internet and the expertise of The White Doo Wop Collector.

Band Members:

Manuel Canez
Tom Lopez
Tom Rey
Santos Cepeda
Hector Aguilar?

The band was first formed in the Bakersfield area but their recordings if they are all by the same group were recording around the Los Angeles, California area. They were known for their vocal group harmony and a couple of their records are quite rare.

The band started out as the Four Escorts and recorded "My Special Girl"/"Do You Remember" released on Skyla Records in 1962.

Later that year the Four Escorts changes their name to the Montereys and recorded an absolutely impossible to find record. It's only known existence was through the record collection of the late Dr, Dave Antrell. The record was recorded for the Trans American label was "Darlin' (Send Me A Letter"/'Darlin' (I Love You So). These two tracks are what the white doo wop sound is all about. I have had the two tracks pressed on my own Eastside Sound label.

The Montereys would cut another record in 1964 for GNP Crescendo label; "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons"/"I Still Love You"

A final recorded credited to this Montereys band is "It Hurts Me So"/"Goodbye My Love" released on the Arwin in 1965. Of note "It Hurts Me So" has an awesome Northern Soul sound valued at over $500.

If anyone had additional or correctional informational on the band or their records please contact me.

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SOLELY FOR HISTORICAL AND EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

BEHIND THE RECORD - EVERGREEN BLUES - "MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS"

In June 1968 ABC/Dunhill records would release "Midnight Confessions" The record would become a national hit and reach the Top 5 on both the U.S. and Canadian pop charts. It would not appear on any of the group's albums until a compilation album, "Golden Grass" was released in later that year.

Going behind the record, the original recording was by the Evergreen Blues whose manager Lou Josie wrote the song. Their record contained a horn section and caught the ear of record producer/engineer Steve Barri, who was looking to produce a song for the Grass Roots that was a West Coast version of a Motown-style production. The song's backing track was recorded by the Wrecking Crew and the horn section was arranged by Jimmie Haskell.

The Evergreen Blues single was release by Mercury Records seven months earlier in November, 1967.

This clipping appeared in the November 25, 1967 issue of Billboard's $200,000 promotion of the single and the group.

A 15-city tour via charted aircraft, introductions to 50 radio station dee jays and 18 television shows later the single never charted on Billboard's Hot 100.

The record did become a hit in Florida as seen on the back of the picture sleeve noting Sharon Wilson as president of their fan club.

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THE EASTSIDE BANDS - PART 2

                                               
               

Thee Celestials "Live" at Rosewood Park Hall

(left to right- hidden behind cymbal, Mike Aceves,

Richard Ramirez, Bob Zurko, Mike Valdez, and Bernie Leal)

The Mixtures (1960)

(left to right- Phil & Harv, Dan Pollock, Johnny Wells (hidden), Del Franklin,
Leroy "Zag" Soto (hidden),Jess Porras, Steve Mendoza, and Dick Halstead)

The Mixtures at Rainbow Gardens (February 12, 1962)(taken during the live "Stompin' At the Rainbow" album)

left to right- Eddie Robles (drums), Del Franklin, Leroy "Zag" Soto, and Dan Pollack


Ace

Band Members Included:

Jim Tullio (lead vocals/second trumpet)
Bob Tullio (lead guitar/vocals)
Bob Rios (funky bass guitar)
Steve Chacon (saxaphones/vocals)
Miguel Ronquillo (trumpet/vocals)
Eric Weeks (drums)
Ray Santillan (Trombone/percussions)
Rudy Rosas (keyboards)

 Mickey & The Invaders

The band leader, vocalist and lead guitarist MICKEY AVERSA; DANNY LAMONT was their popular drummer; DENNY ROBINSON, on guitar; JOHN ORTIZ, tenor sax; and LINDA ROBINSON was the female vocalist.

                                                                    

                                                                      Blue Satins

                                     Robert Perez, Johnny Betencourt, Bobby Loya, Charles Lueras,

Pete Ventura, Louie Lopez, Frank Mezquita, Frank "Pinky" Estrada, and Ray Suarez)

The Blendells (c. 1964)

                                                                 

                                                                 The Vaqueros

                                                                         

                                                                   The Premiers c. 1964

(left to right-
Tony Duran, John Perez, Lawrence Perez, Frank Zuniga & George Delgado)

Thee Ambertones t

top center- Henry Hernandez (guitar) middle row, left to right- Jimmy Alvarez (drums), Eddie Delgado (bass),

Ray Areole(sax), and Mike Sandoval (guitar)
bottom row, left to right- Charlie Muñoz (vocals) and Danny Medina (keyboards)

                                                    NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!

SOLELY FOR HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES!!

EASTSIDE BANDS - THE MEN FROM S.O.U.N.D.

                     THE MEN FROM S.O.U.N.D. (circa 1966)
                                     
                     (left to right: Tony Rodas, Richard Rosas, Mark Guerrero,
                                George Ochoa, Ernie Hernandez)

Band Members (1966-1968):

Mark Guerrero (lead vocals, lead guitar)
Richard Rosas (bass)
Ernie Hernandez (drums, lead & harmony vocals)
Tony Rodas (Farfisa organ)
George Ochoa (lead vocals)
Richard Mojarro (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica) 1966
Richard Morin (lead vocals, guitar) 1968
Steve Verdugo (lead vocals, electric piano) 1968

The band began as Mark & The Escorts (SEE MY POST EASTSIDE BANDS - MARK & THE ESCORTS) who changed their name in 1966 to THE MEN FROM S.O.U.N.D. As you might expect is was a play on words from the popular television show THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. The SOUNDS come pro a popular British horns band, Sounds Incorporated.

As with many Eastside Bands of the day, this band went through some different incarnations. The band would take on member George Ochoa (SEE MY POST EASTSIDE LEGENDS - THE SLAUSON BROTHERS) as their lead vocalist.

The band was extremely popular and played nearly every venue on the Eastside circuit.

Another incarnation of the band featured the addition of Steve Verdugo who played keyboard, guitar and was a lead vocalist. Steve would go on to record "Hollywood"/"My Lady" for Ediie Davis' Gordo Records in 1973.

For much more information on THE MEN FROM S.O.U.N.D please visit Mark Guerrero's blog:

https://markguerrero.net/misc_60.php


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EASTSIDE OLDIES - PART 4

Here is a look at ten more records that were the sound of the city back in the day.

EASY COMPANY - "LET'S TALK IT OVER"

Band from East Los Angeles, California with members Henry Estrada (vocals & guitar), Rogelio (Pee Wee Benzor), David Benzor, Eddie Benzor

Released in 1982, "Let's Talk It Over" was released on the Kick record label.

ALBERT TORRES & THE STARFIRE BAND - "SOMEBODY PLEASE"

Albert Torres & The Starfire band from San Jose, California recorded this cover version of the Vanguard's classic "Somebody Please" Date of release not known

IRENE - "FORGET"

Irene Soto from Los Angeles, California recorded "Forget", a teen girl group sound for Baronet records in 1962.

RAY CAMACHO & THE TEARDROPS - "I TOLD YOU SO"

Ray was born in El Paso, Texas and was raided in Mendota, California. He attended Fresno City College and supported himself playing music with his band, The Teardrops.

The musicians were recruited from the Southwestern states and California. The band toured constantly and one of their favorite places to play was Phoenix, Arizona.

"I Told You So" was recorded in Tuscon, Arizona in 1966 and released on the Copper State label.

THEE EPICS - "MAMA SAID"

Produced and arranged by Doug Salma (of Doug & Freddy fame) Thee Epics recorded this cover version of The Shirelles smash hit "Mama Said"

The tune was released on the Soulville No. 1 record label in the mid-1960's. It can also be found on the album, "Eastside Revue"

THEE IN CROWD - "MONKEY TIME"

Band from San Gabriel, California with members Art Hernandez, Grover Berumen, Bobby Esparza, Larry Vallejo, Richard Hernandez, John Gonzales, Joe Perez and Ray Diaz.

Thee In Crowd recorded a cover version of the Major Lance smash hit "Monkey Time" The  tune was released on the Living Sound record label. Date not known

The band still performs live

AZUSA - "OH WHAT A NIGHT"

The band was originally known as Azusa and later Balance of Azusa, Funk, soul & R&B band from Azusa, California, The band has been performing over 40 years and their lead singer is Sammy Medina.

In 1983 as Azusa the band recorded a cover of The Dells classic "Oh What A Night" for Moon Dance Records.

The record was later re-pressed but this time as Balance on the Balance label in 1983

Sammy Medina & Balance at Nick's Taste Of Texas"

JOE ROMERO - "OH BABY"

More than likely related to Chan Romero of "Hippy Hippy Shake" fame, Joe Romero recorded a doo wop styled single for the Dore record label titled "Oh Baby" in 1960.

TOBY & RAY & THE MARGILATORS - "JUST WAITING FOR YOU"

Toby and Ray out of Santa Clara, California were backed by a group called The Margilators
Not much known about the band except that they recorded a doo wop tune called "Just Waiting For You." It was released in 1959 on the Blue Moon label.

THE ANGELENOS - "DOWN IN EAST LA"

One can possibly surmise that the band as from Los Angeles with East LA in the title and the song being recorded for the Highland record label. The record was released in 1966.

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SOLELY FOR HISTORICAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES