Eastside Sound: The 1960's
07.15.13
Enjoy this special DJ set surveying the “Eastside Sound” of 1960’s Los Angeles by a man who was in the midst of it all. Mark Guerrero is the son of the late legendary singer/songwriter Lalo Guerrero who is widely considered the “Father of Chicano Music.” Mark began performing at age 13 with his rock band Mark & the Escorts, and often shared the bill with storied groups such as Cannibal & the Headhunters, The Premiers, The Blendells, and Thee Midniters. Later he formed the group The Men From S.O.U.N.D. who were also popular in the Eastside scene. Mark is an accomplished historian who posts various insightful music writing on his website. We hope you dig his thirty song retrospective of some of the tunes that made LA’s Eastside rock scene of the 60’s such a remarkable movement. Mark was joined in the studio by Ganas of Mas Exitos for an enlightening conversation to accompany the music.
Mark Guerrero’s “Eastside Sound” Radio Show: The 1960’s
Tracklist:
1. Slauson Shuffle- The Romancers, first band managed by Billy Cardenas, one of the pioneers of the “Eastside Sound.” Instrumental which features Armando Mora on tenor sax and influential guitarist, Andy Tesso.
2. Farmer John- The Premiers, first East L.A. band to have a national hit record. It reached #19 in July of 1964. In their tours, they opened for The Rolling Stones, Kinks, Zombies, The Supremes, and many others.
3. La La La La La- The Blendels, Second East L.A. band with a national hit. In 1965, it reached only #62 nationally, but was number one in Phoenix, AZ and Hawaii. It also was top ten in Los Angeles.
4. Land of a Thousand Dances- Cannibal & the Headhunters- Three man vocal group from the Ramona Gardens projects in East L.A. reached #30 in April of 1965 with this song. They toured with The Beatles that year, playing venues such as Shea Stadium in New York and the Hollywood Bowl in L.A.
5. Get Your Baby- Mark & the Escorts- My teenage band, who recorded two singles with GNP Cresendo Records. This was the “A” side of the first single released in March 1965. The instrumental has become a garage rock classic appearing on six compilation albums around the world.
6. I Wanna Do the Jerk- Ronnie & the Casuals- A band from Pomona who were also managed by Billy Cardenas like all the above groups. They played the Eastside circuit and recorded an album, “Do the Jerk,” for one of Bob Keane’s labels. (Bob Keane managed and produced Ritchie Valens.) Their lead singer was an African-American, Charles Lett.
7. Gee Baby Gee- The Sisters- female vocal group made up of sisters Ersi, Rosella, and Mary Arvizu. Also managed by Billy Cardenas and recorded on one of Bob Keanes’ labels. Ersi was lead singer for El Chicano on their first album in 1970. In the mid-2000s, she had a solo album produced by Ry Cooder.
8. I Who Have Nothing- Little Ray (sometimes Lil’ Ray), whose last name is Jimenez, was a huge r&b style singing star in East L.A. in the ‘60s. A great singer and performer, he was briefly a member of The Midnigters and then formed his own band, Little Ray & the Progressions who were very popular. He made several 45s, but never made an album.
9. Loretta- Little Ray- obscure record on the Impact label. Ray is backed by The Midnighters and Little Willie G is singing back up vocals.
10. Ooh Baby Baby- Little Ray- Smokey Robinson ballad recorded live at East L.A. College Auditorium during a rock & roll show.
11. Shake Shout and Soul- Little Ray- recorded live at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, backed by The Premiers.
12. Land of a Thousand Dances- Thee Midniters- Most popular band in East L.A. in the 60s. They made several albums and many singles in the era. Their lead singer was Little Willie G. He could sing up-tempo r&b, but was best known for his ballads.
13. Whittier Blvd- The Midniters’ instrumental hit that was big on the L.A. charts.
14. Never Knew I Had It So Bad- Midniters- An example of their rock side. This song was written by members of the band and sung by Little Willie G.
15. Where Lovers Go- The Jaguars- Instrumental ballad written by leader and lead guitarist, Mario Panaqua. Mario discovered the Salas brothers who sang with the Jaguars for a few years before forming their own band, Tierra, who had a national hit in 1981 (“Together”).
16. Rainbow Stomp (Pt 1)- The Mixtures- a multi-racial band from Ventura who played the Eastside circuit and were recorded by Eddie Davis. Many East L.A. bands recorded for Davis’ labels including The Premiers, The Blendells, and Cannibal & the Headhunters.
17. Cradle Rock- The Heartbreakers- A vocal duo, featuring brothers Joe and Bennie Rodriguez. This is a classic “Eastside Sound” doo wop ballad. They were also managed by Billy Cardenas.
18. Someday I’m Gonna Get You- Thee Counts- popular East L.A. band. This may be from their only single.
19. I’m In Love With Your Daughter- Thee Enchantments- popular East L.A. band. Lead singer Eddie Serrano went on to sing with Cannibal & the Headhunters in the late 60s. He was then lead singer for Yaqui, who made an album for Playboy Records in 1972. He returned to Cannibal & the Headhunter after that.
20. I Need Someone- The Ambertones- Popular East L.A. band who made many 45 rpm singles. This was recorded live at an East L.A. College rock & roll show. One of the labels was White Whale, who also released records by The Turtles.
21. Hector (Pt. 1)- The Village Callers- Instrumental recorded around 1967 by a popular East L.A. band. They were arguably the first Eastside band to bring in Latin percussion. This song was written for and about their manager, Hector.
22. Evil Ways- The Village Callers- They recorded this version of “Evil Ways” before Carlos Santana.
23. Darling (Please Bring Your Love)- The Salas Brothers- “Eastside Sound” classic ballad, which was also recorded by Phil & Harv, backed by The Mixtures.
24. Dance With Me- Mark & the Escorts- “A” side of our second single with GNP Crescendo Records. Released in October of 1965. It has appeared on two compilation albums. “Eastside Sound, Vol. 2 on Dionysus Records and a Japanese compilation record in 1991.
25. My Heart Cries- The Romancers- A remake of an Etta James record. Doo wop style with lots of harmony vocals. The Romancers had some different members at this time from the time they recorded “Slauson Shuffle.” It has appeared on many compilation CDs on the “Eastside Sound” of the 60s.
26. Get Your Baby- The Blendells- Their version of “Get Your Baby,” also recorded by Mark & the Escorts, The Premiers, and Cannibal & the Headhunters. The song was written by two members of The Mixtures.
27. Brown Baby- Little Willie G- A solo record recorded in the late 60s on one of Eddie Davis’ labels. Represents brown pride in the wake of the Chicano movement.
28. You Don’t Know Me- The Blue Satins- Another very popular band in East L.A. that didn’t make too many recordings. It was a large band with 10 or 12 members all wearing blue coats.
29. Olive Oyl- The Mixtures- Instrumental recording about Popeye’s girlfriend. It has impersonations of both Popeye and Olive Oyl throughout. Kind of a novelty record, but consistent with the style of the “Eastside Sound.”
30. That’s All- Thee Midniters- Little Willie G on lead vocal. The Midniters’ remake of the classic ballad they used to close their shows. Many East L.A. and Chicano bands still play Thee Midniters’ version of this song.
Visit Mark’s website to check out his extensive archive of 60’s Eastside flyers, photos and band cards.
