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!!

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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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VINYL CLASSICS - LONELY BLUE NIGHTS WITH ROSIE

Rosie & The Originals first three singles including the all-time classsic "Angel Baby" were recorded for Highland Records.

In 1962 on the advice of Jackie Wilson, Rosie Hamlin moved to Brunswick Records which released  two singles one of which was a re-release of "Lonely Blue Nights" and "We'll Have A Chance"


Brunswick released an album titles "Lonely Blue Nights With Rosie" in 1962. (Brunswick 54102)
The album would not include the Highland smash single of "Angel Baby"/"Give Me Love"

Track List:

Side 1:

Lonely Blue Nights
Read The Story Of Love
My Darling Forever
No Other Love Will Ever Do
We'll Have A Chance
Angel From Above

Side 2:

The Time Is Near
Baby Baby Baby
I Found A Dream
Maybe I'm Dreamin'
Cloud Nine
It's Time To Go Home.


Rosie's unmistakable vocals are accompanied by an orchestra directed by Dick Jacobs

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THE EASTSIDE SOUND - A RETROSPECTIVE LOOK (PART 2)

In part 1 of The Eastside Sound - A Retrospective look I traced the roots of The Eastside Sound from th late 1940's to the early 1960's.

I defined the term "Eastside Sound"as a hybridization of musical styles, genres and influences played and sung by young artists in Los Angeles and it's surrounding areas. Those Musical styles, genres and influences included traditional Latin music, Jazz, Big Band, rhythm and blues, vocal group harmony and popular music.

Part 2 chooses to begin with the rise of Ritchie Valens as a rocker,a ballad singer and one whose popularity would make a big splash in the music scene before his untimely death.

In the early 1960's the course and culture of rock & roll music would change at home and abroad. The existing sound would continue to evolve and new musical influences would come into play.
This musical evolution would most notably give rise to the Eastside Bands.

The new musical influences causing the music to evolve would come from many sources,

Teachers like Bill Taggert, Salesian High School's teacher and musical director inspired artists like The Ambertones by introducing them to jazz & big band while Johnny Gamboa whose music had been influenced by his parents and grandparents moved away from traditional jazz and rhythm & blues to playing what was popular on the radio.

Bands like The Leggeriors honed their craft by imitating songs in their record collection.

DooWop and rhythm & blues would continue to inspire artists like Cannibal & The Headhunters.

The Beach Boys and the surfing craze would influence bands like Mickey & The Invaders.

The British Invasion would have its greatest effect on the Eastside Sound with the Beatles influencing Mark & The Escorts and The Beatles along with Rolling Stones influencing Thee Midniters as well as garage bands like The Romancers and Thee Counts.

Christian Youth Organizations (CYOs) in many  areas offered more in way of education and after school activities. They offered inspiration for advancement in learning music and sponsored battle of the bands. Those battle of the bands would give rise to competition and to practicing and honing their skills. They also sponsored school dances and church activities and social events. One such inspired band was Thee Enchantments. Promoters like Johnny Jay would find venues around the LA area for bands to play.

Eastside record owners and producers like Eddie Davis and Eddie Torres gave local talent discovered and developed by people like Bill Cardenas a chance to go into the studio and put their music on records. Cardenas and Max Uballez started youth social clubs where the bands could play.

Local disc jockeys like Casey Casem, Dave Hull, Art Laboe and Huggy Boy along with their radio stations would play and promote the music as well as sponsor dances and concerts.

The entire East Los Angeles area and surrounding communities became a hot bed for musical talent and the excitement generated paved the way for the Eastside Sound to become a vital part of the history of rock & roll music and to have a lasting effect on our generation and generations to come.

This excitement in music in the youth would lead to a new movement in the late 1960's. The movement towards a political awakening and new musical influences for the turbulent times to come.