Guide to the Eddie Davis West Coast East Side Sound archives
CEMA 117
Finding aid prepared by Mari Khasmanyan, 2015.
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California, 93106-9010
Phone: (805) 893-3062
Email: special@library.ucsb.edu; URL: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/special-collections
2015 September 16
Title: Eddie Davis West Coast East Side Sound archives
Identifier/Call Number: CEMA 117
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.0 linear feet
(3 document boxes, 3 clamshell boxes, and one oversize box)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1950-1990
Date (inclusive): 1935-2010
Abstract: This collection contains papers, publications, audio and video files, as well as scrapbooks that document the history of Rampart
Records and multicultural rock and roll bands in the Los Angeles area. As an ongoing collection owner, Hector Gonzalez continues
to operate the record companies that he inherited from Eddie Davis in 1994.
Physical Location: Del Norte
Language of Materials: The collection is in English.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or
quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given
on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of Item], Eddie Davis West Coast East Side Sound archives, CEMA 117. Department of Special Research Collections,
UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Acquisition Information
In 1994, Hector Gonzalez became the heir to the Eddie Davis Record and Publishing Estate, The Rampart Record Group, and The
Aro Music Publishing Group. The Eddie Davis West Coast East Side sound archives were established with the California Ethnic
and Multicultural Archives in 2010 through Hector Gonzalez's donation.
Processing Information
Processed by Callie Bowdish and CEMA Staff, 2010. Additional material processed by Mari Khasmanyan, 2015.
Biography
In 1994, Hector Gonzalez became the heir to the Eddie Davis Recording and Publishing Estate, The Rampart Record Group, and
The Faro Music Publishing Group (a division of Gordo Enterprises). He relinquished his position at CBS Television City to
administer these companies and license a vast music catalog dating back to 1958 for CD compilations, film and television.
Since 1960, Rampart Records has been devoted almost exclusively to the development of Mexican American talent known on the
West Coast as "The Eastside Sound."
Eddie Davis was a child actor and successful restaurateur and is quoted as saying, "If anybody thinks I got rich over my East
Los Angeles music, they're wrong. I cooked a lot of hamburgers to make those records." Rampart Records contributed to what
is known as the West Coast East Side Sound and included bands such as Cannibal and the Headhunters (which opened for the Beatles
at Shea Stadium in 1965). Multicultural bands such as the Mixtures and the Blendells were also given recording opportunities
by Rampart Records.
Hector Gonzalez's documentary about Rampart Records is a part of this collection. Director Jimmy A. Velarde said the following
about the documentary:
The West Coast Eastside Sound Story immortalizes the 1960's East Los Angeles Chicano rock legends that have contributed to the popular American cultural experience.
This documentary salutes Eddie Davis and the many groups on his various record labels and their contribution to American pop
music that has been immeasurable. Yet, it has not been recognized for its historic value and cultural importance."
When discussing the music, author Luis Rodriquez stated: "They were the heroes and heroines of low-rider car clubs, street
gangs and high school teens. Their records were sold as soon as they came out and whenever they made appearances, they crowded
dance halls and concerts.
They were the rock artists based in East Los Angeles, California and part of the phenomenon known on the West Coast as,
The Eastside Sound. It has spanned over 40 years of Chicano musical development. They were Latino, they were rhythm and blues, they were soul,
combined with the British sound and they defied musical categories.
The music was a localized fusion of Mexican and American influences, yet their participation in the development of American
rock 'n roll has been largely ignored.
The ensuing struggle to bring them out of the barrio, record them, and get them to national prominence is a story of glory
and tragedy: a story not often told in the annals of the record business."
Scope and Content
The collection spans from 1935 through 2010 and will be periodically updated. It consists of one document box that contains
business and publication papers, one document box that contains 4-CD Box Sets, three small clamshell boxes containing CD's,
two scrapbook binder boxes, one oversize box with music records (33 rpm) and larger size publications.
This collection also includes digitized files. There is an online slideshow exhibit titled, "East L.A. Rocks" featuring highlights
from historical images of Rampart Records. There are movie files (iMovie .mov format) recording Gonzalez's comments on the
scrapbooks. Also included are clips that were used to create the
History of Rampart Records video, in addition to the video itself.
As Gonzalez is still running the company, he maintains a majority of the original scrapbook material for his own publications,
thus the ones in his collection at UCSB consist mostly of copies from the originals. Some of the images from the original
scrapbooks have been scanned, and are available digitally. Some of the music CDs have been re-mastered and released as sets
in collaboration with other publishers. Also included within the collection are digital video files of a few of the bands,
as well as a documentary about Rampart Records and Eddie Davis.
Arrangement
Series I. Business Records Contains miscellaneous records pertaining to the record industry. Also included are flyers regarding the Chicano rock and
roll bands. They are listed alphabetically.
Series II. Publications Includes publications which describe Rampart Record's role in the early rock and roll days. Some oversized publications are
located in oversize box 6, while current projects are included in box 1. They are listed alphabetically.
Series III. Photos and Negatives Series Includes historical pictures of Eddie Davis as well as images of cultural bands (including Cannibal and the Headhunters
with the Beatles) located in box one.
Series IV. Scrapbooks Covers scrapbook material found in box 2. They are organized chronologically and expand from the 1930s to the 2000s. They
contain event flyers, publicity photos, and items connected to rock and roll music activities in Los Angeles.
Series V. Audio The audio series is housed in boxes 2-7, with some files which are also stored on the library server. There are three 33rpm
albums in oversize box 6.
Series VI. Video Include interviews and commentary from Hector Gonzalez, old footage of bands, and a documentary on the history of Rampart
Records. These files are on the library server, as well as on CDs available through Special Research Collections.
Related Material
Hector Gonzalez papers, CEMA 118
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Hector Gonzalez
Audiovisual materials
California--East Los Angeles
CD-ROMs
Digital moving image formats
Mexican Americans--California--East Los Angeles
Mexican Americans--California--East Los Angeles--Music
Rock Music
Rock Music --California--East Los Angeles
Scrapbooks
Sound recordings
Video recordings
Business Records Series I.
undated
Box 1, Folder 1
Informational flyers, "The West Coast East Side Sound Story" featuring East Los Angeles Chicano Rock legends of the 60's
undated
Box 1, Folder 1
Miscellaneous records
undated
Publications Series II.
1989-2010
Oversize 6, Folder 2
Announcement poster and flyer, "American Sabor Latinos in U.S. popular music"
2007 October 13 - 2008 September 7
Oversize 6
Announcement poster for, "East Side Sound" Rampart Records
undated
General Physical Description Note: Offset; Poster Size: 13.5 x 19.5 in.
Other Descriptive Information
This is an offset poster featuring information about the East Side Sound's four volumes of remastered music, the poster lists
the tracking information included in each volume. The background is in a gradient of pink, orange, and yellow hues. The poster
reads, "Back in the '60s Rampart Records created a Chicano Motown- it was the music that ushered in the lowriders and rocked
weekend teen dances at legendary spots like El Monte Legion Stadium. Latin music is a huge phenomenon and this is where it
all started! Before there was Ricky Martin, Enrique Inglesias and Marc Anthony there was the East Side Sound. This four volume
series is based on two Rampart Records albums from the '60s called
The East Side Review. The packages evoke the look of the original series and include many of the songs that appeared on the original hit albums."
Oversize 6, Folder 2
Announcement poster for, Hector Gonzalez "History of Rampart Records" (ImaginArte artist in residence event)
2010 May
Oversize 6
Announcement poster for, "You Damn Mexicans Are Too Loud!" by Lava and the Hot Rocks
1996
General Physical Description Note: Offset; Poster Size: 18 x 18 in.
Other Descriptive Information
This is an offset poster featuring a group photograph of musicians dressed in revolutionary attire. They are shown holding
up various musical instruments. This is the same image that was used for Lava and the Hot Rock's album cover. In white font,
the top of the poster reads: "You Damn Mexicans Are Too Loud!" while the lower bottom reads: "Lava and the Hot Rocks. Since
1960, Rampart Records. Distributed by CRDI." The background of the image is an orange and black monochromatic hue.
Box 1, Folder 3
Assorted articles
undated
Box 1, Folder 2
LA Weekly features "Naa na na na naa, How the West Coast East Side Sound changed rock and roll"
2005 December 29
Oversize 6, Folder 2
Miscellaneous articles on Rampart Records and Hector Gonzalez, including band engagements
1989 November 22- 2009 December 2
Box 1, Item. 1
"Shin Miyata Japan Embraces America’s Ignored Culture-Chicanoism— and the award winning poetry of Luis Rodriguez” in
Bello Magazine: redefining the American paradigm
2007
Photos and Negatives Series III.
undated
Box 1, Folder 4
48 Negatives of bands and events
undated
Scrapbooks Series IV.
undated
Box 2, Folder 14-28
Scrapbook 2 (Copies)
undated
Box 2, Folder 1-13
Scrapbook 1 (Copies)
undated
Box 2, Folder 29-31
Photo doubles from original scrapbook
undated
Audio Series V.
1946-2007
Box 7, Disc CD's 1-4
"Hot Rods and Custom Classics: Crusin' Songs and Highway Hits (re-issue, 1999 Rhino Entertainment Company)
1946-1998
General Physical Description Note: In 2000, this 4-CD box set was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Boxed Record Package. The description on the side of
the box states, "Hot Rods and Custom Classics: Crusin' Songs and Highway Hits is packed with 87 full-throttle rock and rhythm
and blues hits, spanning 1946-1998, plus cool rarities and sound bites from vintage drive-in movies, TV, and radio. Inside
this box, you'll find a massive book packed with Tom Wolfe's legendary 'The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby';
an essay chronicling the history of California custom culture; an interview with Jimmie Vaughan; a list of recommended reading,
Web sites, car clubs, and associations; tons of rare photos; plus fuzzy dice, MoonEyes premium key chain, Rhino, Moon Eyes,
and Rancho Diablo Speed Shop hot rod window cling decals, and MoonEyes custom accessories catalog."
Disc A27140/CD, MP3 stored on network
"It's Over" by the Ralph Hallenbeck Big Band on Faro Records. RPM Single #602-B
1959
General Physical Description Note: This audio file is preserved digitally on the network, and is also saved in a physical CD format.
Other Descriptive Information
Collection donor Hector Gonzalez added the following historical context regarding the audio file, "the song was recorded in
the Capitol Records Building, Studio 'A' in 1959, shortly after it had opened on Vine Street in Hollywood. The song credits
Robert Earl as the vocalist, however it is actually Eddie Davis who is performing the lead vocals. It was written by Eddie
Davis and Ralph Hallenbeck on Faro Music Publishing / BMI."
Box 5, Item. 2
The Mixtures "Stompin' at the Rainbow" (re-issue, 2010 Minky Records)
1962
Oversize 6, Item. 6
The Mixtures "Stompin' at the Rainbow" (re-issue, 2010 Minky Records)
1962
Box 7, Disc CD's 1-4
"Where The Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968" (compiled/published in 2009, Rhino Entertainment Company)
1965-1968
General Physical Description Note: In 2011, this 4-CD Box Set compiled by American record producer Andrew Sandoval, was nominated for a Grammy Award for the
Best Historical Album. The four discs are located on the last page of the book. The book excerpt reads "101 mind-blowing rarities
from the Golden Age of the Southern California Music Scene... also features an amazing 48- page book with insightful essays,
artist commentaries, '60s LA Club Guide, and scans of unseen photos." Each disc focuses on a different aspect of Los Angeles
rock music from the mid to late 60's. The first disc, "On the Strip," features bands that rose out of the Sunset Strip scene.
Disc two, "Beyond the City," focuses on bands from surrounding regions of South LA, East LA, Riverside and Bakersfield. Disc
three, "The Studio Scene," covers bands' involvement with LA products, arrangers, and studio players. Disc four presents the
movement away from folk rock to country rock, canyon rock, and psychedelia. Please note that there are two copies of this
CD set. One of which is sealed, and the other opened. They are both located in document box 7.
Oversize 6, Item. 1
"Land of 1000 Dances Cannibal and The Headhunters" (re-issue, 2002 Dionysus Records)
1965
Box 3, Item. 1
The Village Callers “Live” Barrio Gold Records" (Japan) Gordo Enterprises/Rampart records
1968
Oversize 6, Item. 2
"Brand Spanking New!" East Side Connection (New Wave Funk) Rampart Records
1979
Box 3, Item. 2
"Eastside Connection Brand Spanking New!" Barrio Gold Records (Japan)
1979
Box 3, Item. 3-4
"You Damn Mexicans Are Too Loud!!!" Lava And The Hot Rocks, Rampart Records
1995
General Physical Description Note: There are 4 copies of this material.
Box 3, Item. 5
"The West Coast East Side Sound Volume One" Rampart Records
1999
Box 4, Item. 1
"The West Coast East Side Sound Volume Two" Rampart Records
1999
Box 4, Item. 2
"The West Coast East Side Sound Volume Three" Rampart Records
1999
Box 4, Item. 3
"The West Coast East Side Sound Volume Four" Rampart Records
1999
Oversize 6, Item. 3
"Eastside Sound Featuring Mark and the Escorts Volume 2" Dyonisius Records (2000)
2000
Box 4, Item. 4
"Eastside Soul Classics 1963-1977 Chicano Rare Grooves" (Japan)
2004
Oversize 6, Item. 4
"Land of 1000 Dances Cannibal and The Headhunters" (2005) Vampisoul, a division of Distrolux Enterprises
2005
Oversize 6, Item. 5
"The Nanana Song: Frankie Cannibal Garcia and the Dutch Chicanos" VDK Audio-Video Productions and Orbit Media LTD (Rampart
Records by arrangement).
2006
Box 4, Item. 5
The Hunting Party, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Score By Rolfe Kent. Includes “It’s a Bad Situation in a Beautiful
Place” by Two Tons of Love (Dos Chicanos Mas)
2007
Box 5, Item. 1
"Franky Firme Presents 16 Golden Treasures From the Vaults of Rampart Records"
2007
General Physical Description Note: There are two copies of this item.
Video Series VI.
1965-2008
Disk Library Server, Item V104816
The History of the West Coast East Side Sound Documentary
2008 August 29
General Physical Description note: cemashare\ARCHIVE_AUDIO\GonzalezHector\VIDEO_TSRampartRecordsStory
Item V104820, Disk Library Server
The Premiers and Blendells Reunion
2004
General Physical Description note: cemashare\ARCHIVE_VIDEO\GonzalezHector\Video1
Disk Library Server, Item V104817
Rampart Records Dick Clark Productions, Various Television Footage
1965-1966
General Physical Description note: cemashare\ARCHIVE_VIDEO\GonzalezHector\Video2
