East L.A. Rocks!

Photos from the Eddie Davis West Coast Eastside Sound Archives (CEMA 117)

These photos are part of the Eddie Davis West Coast Eastside Sound Archives (CEMA 117), Special Collections, UCSB Library. This collection was donated by Hector Gonzalez. He is a record producer, musician, award winning sound engineer and current owner of Rampart Records. Gonzalez has a first hand view of the vibrant music scene in East Los Angeles where multicultural bands contributed to the development of rock and roll. His archives help to document the development of the “West Coast East Side Sound.” Hector Gonzalez says, "This is an important part of early American rock and roll.”

The first Mexican American "Chicano Band" to record for Rampart Records in 1964 was the Blendells who scored a national hit with a remake of the Stevie Wonder song, "La, La, La, La, La". Eddie Davis released them to Reprise Records which was Frank Sinatra’s label and was distributed by Warner Bros. in hopes that they would gain more exposure with a major label. The Blendells were also the back up band that recorded, "Land of 1000 Dances" in 1964 with Cannibal and the Headhunters at Stereo Masters Recording Studio with recording engineer, Bruce Morgan. Mike Rincon, Leader and Bassist, is seated center with the dark suit.
CEMA