The videos below from the East Los Angeles Golden Era of Music need to be appreciated and treasured, not only for their performance value but also for their historical value as major contributors to this epoch. Along with a few band performances, we offer several oral histories of band members who experienced firsthand what it was like to be a part of the emergence of this music, which touched so many back then and continues to do so today on a global level.
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The Premiers
The Premiers were formed in 1962 in San Gabriel, California, by Mexican-American brothers Lawrence Perez and John Perez , and neighbors George Delgado and Frank Zuniga, They practiced in the Perez brothers’ backyard, encouraged by their mother, and soon started drawing crowds to their rehearsals. They were discovered by Billy Cardenas, who managed and produced other bands in the East Los Angeles area.
Cannibal & The Headhunters
Cannibal & the Headhunters were an American rock band from East Los Angeles, California. They were one of the first Mexican-American groups to have a national hit record, “Land of a Thousand Dances”. They opened for The Beatles’ 2nd. American tour at the Shea Stadium concert in 1965. Francisco Mario (Frankie Cannibal) Garcia founded the group in 1965. The other group members were Bobby and Joe “Yo Yo” Jaramillo and Richard Lopez.
Bobby Rodriguez ~The Etalons
Singer/songwriter Mark Guerrero interviews trumpet player extraordinaire Bobby Rodriguez, who played in many East L.A. bands in the 60s including The Counts, The Etalons, The Impalas, and The Enchantments. He went on to play with Quincy Jones, The Brothers Johnson, and Ray Charles and earn a doctorate in Music
Eddie Delgado ~The Ambertones
Eddie Delgardo, bassist and vocalist, Was one of the original members of The Ambertones band. The other members were Ray Arriola, Henry Hernandez, Mike Sandoval, Danny Median, and Jimmy Alvarez. The Ambertones recorded 9 singles and wrote several of the songs. They performed at the popular East Los Angeles venues and toured the Southwest United States.
Mickey Aversa & The Invaders
Mike “Mickey” Aversa grew up in Montebello, CA. He took guitar and piano lessons at an early age, and he learned to read music. Mike’s first band was called Mickey and the Cavaliers. A short time later, they changed it to Mickey and the Invaders. They played surf music and rhythm and blues music throughout the Los Angeles basin. Mike has written several songs. In 1970, they changed the band name to Dyna-Might and were very successful They continued to tour throughout Southern California.
Sal Murillo ~The Blendells
Sal Murillo started his singing career as a teenager. He teamed up with a neighbor, Marge Barrera, and they sang at the local dances. Soon thereafter, Sal was asked to join a new group that was forming. The Blendells members were Mike Rincon, Rudy Valona, Tommy Esparza, Ronnie Chipres, Don Cardenas, and Sal Murillo. They recorded four songs.
Eddie Hernandez ~The Escorts
Ernie Hernandez, drummer, was an original member of The Escorts. Mark Guerrero, guitar, and Robert Warren, guitar, completed the trio. After a short time, Richard Rosas, bass guitar; Rick Almaraz, vocalist; and Trini Basulto, saxophone joined and completed the newly named Mark and the Escorts. The band played at all the local popular dance halls. They recorded two singles on the GNP Crescendo Records label.
Benny Lopez ~Thee Midniters
Benjamin “Benny” Lopez is the original bassist for the legendary East LA band, Thee Midniters. Benny performed with them at the first two Salesian rock and roll concerts. He also recorded on their first long playing record album titled, Thee Midniters “On Whittier Blvd”. Benny left the band shortly after for the bliss of family life. He continued playing the bass guitar.
Joe Espinoza ~ The Village Callers
Joe Espinosa played bass guitar with Marci and the Imperials in 1963. He later joined The Village Callers band in 1966. They were one of the first East LA bands that incorporated Latin percussion. Joe Espinosa co-wrote the 1969 hit, “Hector”. Joe is presently the band leader and bass guitarist for the Chico Band.
Anthony Baray~ The Emeralds
Anthony Baray joined the Emeralds when he was a 14 year old student at Stevenson junior high school playing the electric guitar. The band members were Ray Rosa, Jacob Padilla, Fred Gonzalez, Sammy “Bones” Ramos, Jesse Perez, Ray Ballesteros, and Mike Mercado. The Emeralds looked sharp on stage, and they sounded great. They also performed at the Salesian rock and roll concert.
