A “Revue” of the West Coast “Eastside Sound” Music Scene During the Early 1960’s in Southern California.
Those who have a soul and a heartbeat, know that music has the power to move you physically and emotionally. The music from the 1950s and 1960s captured and reflected the range of emotions and concerns of that generation. Youthful innocence was being affected by the “Cold War”, the Space Race, the Vietnam War and the civil-rights unrest in many of our cities. We also experienced a rising awareness of many social afflictions. In light and dark times, music has always been vital to communicate our feelings. Music also satisfies a deep, primal melodic need. During this sometimes turbulent era, our spirits were nurtured by the musical offerings of “The British Invasion”, Motown, R&B, Country, Rock and Roll, Rockabilly and Chicano Soul. Just to name a few.
In Los Angeles and East LA in particular, a renaissance of youthful and local talent emerged. The enduring contributions by the local bands and singers from the East LA area are part of the music explosion and enrichment of that time. Here are but a few of those talented individuals that helped us navigate through those youthful times of love, heartbreak, and social awakenings. Much joy was given to us by these musical poets and crooners.
Historic Bands of the West Coast “Eastside Sound” from the Early 1960’s
These Historic images of the bands and recording artists are a small part of the popular music scene of that time. This partial representation provides a clue of the immense talent of the musical groups of that era. There were hundreds of great music groups! The slideshow includes the following images: Cannibal and the Headhunters, Lil Ray Jimenez, Mickey and the Invaders, Ambertones, Blendells, Blue Satins, Enchantments, The Jaguars, Thee Midniters, Mixtures, The Premiers, Romances, The Sisters, Village Callers, Mark and the Escorts, Johnny and the Crowns, and The Salas Brothers.
Other notables: The Silhouettes, The Originals, The Imperials, Ronnie and the Casuals, The Counts, The Progressions, The Atlantics, The Heartbreakers, The Five J’s, The V.I.P.s, Clarence Playa, The Impalas, The Lyrics, The Nite-liters, The Viscounts, The Story Tellers, The Essents, Epics, Exotics, Los Blue Angels, The Checkmates, The Alderman, The Fabulons, The Eternals, The Emeralds, and The Prophets.
Historic Posters, Flyers, Gatherings, & TV Radio Personalities from a Storied Celebrated Era
The southland’s music scene was alive and experiencing an increased awareness and celebration of different styles of music driven by the emergence of local bands. This fueled the need for the teenagers to have a safe location to listen and dance to the relatively new music. Since the audience and band members were mostly under 21 years of age, the established bars and nightclubs were restricted. The teens and bands found several accommodating locations like: The GiGi Room, The Carpenter’s Union Hall, The Big Union Hall in Vernon, The Little Union Hall in East LA, The Montebello Ballroom, Croatian Hall, Montebello Armory, El Monte Community Center, CYO Hall, The Alexandria Hotel, The Kennedy Hall, Saint Vibiana’s Auditorium, Huntington Park Ballroom, The Old Dixie Ballroom, The Rainbow Gardens, Echo Park Gym, The Pasta House, The Elk’s 99 Club, Saint Nicholas Hall, Saint Alphonso’s Auditorium, El Sereno Teen Post, The Palladium in Hollywood, Lincoln Park Gym, Hawaiian Gardens Teen Post, The Carolina Lanes, East Los Angeles City College Auditorium, Our Lady of Lourdes Hall, Paramount Ballroom, The El Monte Legion Stadium, Dom Pulaski Hall, South Gate Palace, Lincoln Heights Teen Club, The Shrine Auditorium, The Serbian Hall, The Huggy Boy Theater, The Roger Young and many local High School Gymnasiums.
We have also included some the regional radio and television personalities who took a keen interest in the Eastside Sound music explosion. Radio stations like KRLA, KFWB, KHJ and Disc Jockeys Art Laboe, Wolfman Jack, Huggy Boy, Godfrey Kerr, Sam Riddle, Mucho Morales, Dick Clark, Lucky Pierre, Hunter Hancock, and Chico Sesma. This marriage created more TV shows like Al Jarvis, Lloyd Thaxton, Sam Riddle and 9th Street West, Shebang, Hullabaloo, and American Bandstand, who would televise the local teens and the latest dances.
To view the posters below, simply click on the arrows on the right or left side – or the arrows below the posters. If you click on the “X” on the navigation bar at the bottom, the posters will appear in full screen. To exit the full screen, simply hit the “esc” on your keyboard.