Thee Midniters
Encyclopedia
Thee Midniters were an American
group
, amongst the first Chicano rock
bands to have a major hit in the United States
. Also they were and one of the best known acts to come out of East Los Angeles in the 1960s, with a cover
of "Land of a Thousand Dances
", and the instrumental
track, "Whittier Boulevard" in 1965. They were amongst the first rock acts to openly sing about Chicano
themes in songs such as "Chicano Power" and "The Ballad of César Chávez
" in the late 1960s.
The band was promoted by Dick "Huggy Boy" Hugg
on local radio station KTYM
, Inglewood and by his fill-in Godfrey [Godfrey Kerr]. Huggy Boy was later the most popular DJ
on KRLA
.
and Blood, Sweat & Tears
, albeit a few years before those bands were "big". Most band members attended Salesian High School, off the corner of Whittier Blvd. and Soto St. during their times with the exception of drummer George Salazar who attended Garfield High School.
Highly professional and musically sophisticated compared to the surf bands of the day (they were largely school-trained), Willie Garcia and Thee Midniters were regarded in the East LA of the 1960s as The Beatles
on a smaller scale, though they sounded (and still sound) more like a big, soul-gospel review group with a hefty dose of salsa.
A well-known disc jockey, Casey Kasem
, said, "They were the best band I ever hired". Kasem filled a regular slot on KRLA AM top forty radio in the 1960s and promoted concerts and dances at the time
Thee Midniters continue to be impressive with a combination of original and new members and will appear in Raven Productions' PBS pledge break special "Trini Lopez
presents the Legends of Latin Rock," along with El Chicano
, Tierra
and Gregg Rolie (of Santana
and Journey
fame) in the spring of 2009.
. "He could really deliver a sermon, and he had a lot of feeling in his vocals." Willie took obscure soul ballads such as "The Town I Live In", or "Giving Up On Love" and made them more beautiful by his own special delivery.
After many years away from the band, Garcia returned in the '90s to front one of the most sophisticated bands of any genre from the Los Angeles area.
Then there was lead guitarist George Dominguez, whose forte was blues rock. Dominguez had a devoted following among younger players across East LA. For example, Cesar Rosas, later to gain fame as one of the leaders of Los Lobos
, would stare at George on stage to see how Thee Midniters' guitarist played leads and riffs that Cesar could not figure out on his own. On several Midniters' songs, in particular the live version of "Land of a Thousand Dances
", Drummer George Salazar is as ferocious as the best rock players of the time. Trombonist Romeo Prado, was known to be the bands music arranger and was a huge influence in the overall sound of Thee Midniters. Also Guitarist Paul C Saenz, was one of the members that played with Thee Midniters, in the late 1960s, after that went on to perform with singer Etta James
.
Thee Midniters have continued to play through the decades under the leadership and management of Bassist Jimmy Espinoza and Saxophonist Larry Rendon, the two original players remaining in the line-up from the original 1960s group. Since 2006 they have featured Greg Esparza as the lead vocalist along with longtime Midniter mainstays through the years such as Bob Robles on lead guitar, Aaron Ballesteros playing drums, Bobby Navarrette on sax, Bobby Loya on trumpet and Bob Luna playing keyboard. In 2008 they were part of The Latin Legends concert at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and most recently were honored as a legendary garage rock band co-headlining with The Trashmen
from Minneapolis, Minnesota known for their hit song "Surfin' Bird
" at the 9th Annual Ponderosa Stomp in 2010 at the House of Blues
in New Orleans.
Among the group's other songs to either achieve national or regional success are "Whittier Boulevard," "Love Special Delivery" and "That's All."
and Thee Hypnotics
of more recent times are others.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
group
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, amongst the first Chicano rock
Chicano rock
Chicano rock is rock music performed by Mexican American groups or music with themes derived from Chicano culture. Chicano Rock, to a great extent, does not refer to any single style or approach. Some of these groups do not sing in Spanish at all, or use many specifically Latin instruments or sounds...
bands to have a major hit in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Also they were and one of the best known acts to come out of East Los Angeles in the 1960s, with a cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Land of a Thousand Dances
Land of a Thousand Dances
"Land of a Thousand Dances" is a song written and first recorded by Chris Kenner in 1962. The song is famous for its "na na na na na" hook, which was added by Cannibal & the Headhunters in their version of the song in 1965, whose version peaked at number thirty...
", and the instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
track, "Whittier Boulevard" in 1965. They were amongst the first rock acts to openly sing about Chicano
Chicano
The terms "Chicano" and "Chicana" are used in reference to U.S. citizens of Mexican descent. However, those terms have a wide range of meanings in various parts of the world. The term began to be widely used during the Chicano Movement, mainly among Mexican Americans, especially in the movement's...
themes in songs such as "Chicano Power" and "The Ballad of César Chávez
César Chávez
César Estrada Chávez was an American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers ....
" in the late 1960s.
The band was promoted by Dick "Huggy Boy" Hugg
Dick Hugg
Dick "Huggy Boy" Hugg was a radio disc jockey in Los Angeles, California. He was married to Sandy Hugg and had a son and three daughters.-Rock and Roll:...
on local radio station KTYM
KTYM
KTYM is a radio station broadcasting a Urban Gospel radio format. Licensed to Inglewood, California, USA, the station serves the Los Angeles area. The station is currently owned by Trans America Broadcasting Corp.....
, Inglewood and by his fill-in Godfrey [Godfrey Kerr]. Huggy Boy was later the most popular DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
on KRLA
KRLA
KRLA is a radio station broadcasting a News/Talk format. Licensed to Glendale, California, USA, it serves the Southern California area. The station is currently owned by Salem Communications.- KIEV :...
.
Achievements
Thee Midniters are the only 1960s band from East Los Angeles that released a greatest hits album. The band was one of the first to integrate horns, timbales, congas, keyboards and electric guitars to produce a sound somewhat on the order of ChicagoChicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
and Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears is an American music group, originally formed in 1967 in New York City. Since its beginnings in 1967, the band has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and has encompassed a multitude of musical styles...
, albeit a few years before those bands were "big". Most band members attended Salesian High School, off the corner of Whittier Blvd. and Soto St. during their times with the exception of drummer George Salazar who attended Garfield High School.
Highly professional and musically sophisticated compared to the surf bands of the day (they were largely school-trained), Willie Garcia and Thee Midniters were regarded in the East LA of the 1960s as The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
on a smaller scale, though they sounded (and still sound) more like a big, soul-gospel review group with a hefty dose of salsa.
A well-known disc jockey, Casey Kasem
Casey Kasem
Kemal Amin "Casey" Kasem is an American radio personality and voice actor who is best known for being the host of the nationally syndicated Top 40 countdown show American Top 40, and for voicing Shaggy in the popular Saturday morning cartoon franchise Scooby-Doo.Kasem, along with Don Bustany and...
, said, "They were the best band I ever hired". Kasem filled a regular slot on KRLA AM top forty radio in the 1960s and promoted concerts and dances at the time
Thee Midniters continue to be impressive with a combination of original and new members and will appear in Raven Productions' PBS pledge break special "Trini Lopez
Trini Lopez
Trini Lopez is an American singer, guitarist and actor.-Career:Lopez was born in Dallas, Texas, on Ashland Street in the Little Mexico neighborhood. He began his entertainment career in Dallas playing at the Vegas Club, a nightclub owned by Jack Ruby...
presents the Legends of Latin Rock," along with El Chicano
El Chicano
El Chicano is an American chicano rock and brown-eyed soul group from Los Angeles, California, whose style incorporates various modern music genres including rock, funk, soul, blues, jazz, and salsa...
, Tierra
Tierra
Tierra may refer to:* Earth, land or soil in the Spanish language—derived from the Latin term terra-Music:* Tierra , a Latin R&B band from the 70s and 80s* Tierra , a 1994 album by the Japanese rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel-Other uses:...
and Gregg Rolie (of Santana
Santana (band)
Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
and Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
fame) in the spring of 2009.
The band members
Thee Midniters were akin to an East LA allstar band. No other group from the area, and not many from elsewhere for that matter, could boast such a collection of talent. At the top was Willie Garcia a.k.a. Little WIllie G., the lead singer. "Willie G. was one of the most soulful Latin persons I ever heard," said the singer Brenton WoodBrenton Wood
Brenton Wood is an American singer and songwriter, best known for his two 1967 hit singles: "The Oogum Boogum Song" and "Gimme Little Sign".-Career:...
. "He could really deliver a sermon, and he had a lot of feeling in his vocals." Willie took obscure soul ballads such as "The Town I Live In", or "Giving Up On Love" and made them more beautiful by his own special delivery.
After many years away from the band, Garcia returned in the '90s to front one of the most sophisticated bands of any genre from the Los Angeles area.
Then there was lead guitarist George Dominguez, whose forte was blues rock. Dominguez had a devoted following among younger players across East LA. For example, Cesar Rosas, later to gain fame as one of the leaders of Los Lobos
Los Lobos
Los Lobos are a multiple Grammy Award–winning American Chicano rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños.-History:The...
, would stare at George on stage to see how Thee Midniters' guitarist played leads and riffs that Cesar could not figure out on his own. On several Midniters' songs, in particular the live version of "Land of a Thousand Dances
Land of a Thousand Dances
"Land of a Thousand Dances" is a song written and first recorded by Chris Kenner in 1962. The song is famous for its "na na na na na" hook, which was added by Cannibal & the Headhunters in their version of the song in 1965, whose version peaked at number thirty...
", Drummer George Salazar is as ferocious as the best rock players of the time. Trombonist Romeo Prado, was known to be the bands music arranger and was a huge influence in the overall sound of Thee Midniters. Also Guitarist Paul C Saenz, was one of the members that played with Thee Midniters, in the late 1960s, after that went on to perform with singer Etta James
Etta James
Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer...
.
Thee Midniters have continued to play through the decades under the leadership and management of Bassist Jimmy Espinoza and Saxophonist Larry Rendon, the two original players remaining in the line-up from the original 1960s group. Since 2006 they have featured Greg Esparza as the lead vocalist along with longtime Midniter mainstays through the years such as Bob Robles on lead guitar, Aaron Ballesteros playing drums, Bobby Navarrette on sax, Bobby Loya on trumpet and Bob Luna playing keyboard. In 2008 they were part of The Latin Legends concert at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and most recently were honored as a legendary garage rock band co-headlining with The Trashmen
The Trashmen
The Trashmen are a rock and roll band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1962. The group's original lineup was Tony Andreason on lead guitar and vocals, Dal Winslow on guitar and vocals, Steve Wahrer on drums and vocals, and Bob Reed on bass guitar...
from Minneapolis, Minnesota known for their hit song "Surfin' Bird
Surfin' Bird
"Surfin' Bird" is a song performed by the American surf rock band The Trashmen; it is also the name of the album that featured this hit single. It was released in 1963 and reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100...
" at the 9th Annual Ponderosa Stomp in 2010 at the House of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
in New Orleans.
Among the group's other songs to either achieve national or regional success are "Whittier Boulevard," "Love Special Delivery" and "That's All."
The name
Thee Midniters adopted the unusual "Thee" to avoid the possibility of a legal challenge from the established R&B group of a somewhat earlier era, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters. Thee Midniters' popularity and influence was such that a number of Eastside bands of the time adopted the "Thee" moniker, including Eddie Serrano and Thee Enchantments. Thee HeadcoatsThee Headcoats
Thee Headcoats 1989 - 2000, was a band comprising Billy Childish, Bruce Brand, and Johnny Johnson. Childish was featured on guitar and vocals, Brand on drums and backing vocals, and Johnson on bass. The band was the most prolific of Childish's many musical projects, releasing fourteen full...
and Thee Hypnotics
Thee Hypnotics
Thee Hypnotics were a 1990s British garage/psychedelic/hard rock band. They were part of the early alternative rock scene, releasing two full-length albums and an EP from 1989-1990 before taking an enforced hiatus due to their drummer breaking his back in a car accident while they were on tour in...
of more recent times are others.