New Recollections from L.A. & Stockton, California

It has been a long while since I have posted.  Here are some more memories:

From L.M:
"I remember back in the 70’s going to a bunch of the college dances while I was still in Junior High and High School up in Stockton.

Both Delta College and UOP used the East Wind Band, and they were quite the thing back then for all Asian Alliance dances. I had the most fun back then at those dances, and remember the music as pretty much what you hear Steve Kikuchi do for us now, which is why I’m happiest at dances that he puts on since my music growth is stunted and pretty much stopped way back then.

I remember though running into cousins that were quite a bit older than me, and would totally freak out to see their young cousin at these dances. Of course, quite a bit older now equates to about 5-8 years older, and doesn’t seem so much older anymore, but back then when I was only 15, 20-23 sounded ancient to me.

Gary M. wrote to me in August the following:

"I had been involved in several bands over the years. Starting in the mid 60's a band called the Rising Suns was the first garage band I participated in. It was comprised of friends, Clayton Mizufuka, Wade Hojo, Kenny Takaoka and Davis Akiyama who wanted to play the music of Thee Midnighters, Rolling Stones, Animals and of course, the Beatles. We were still in high school and played for school functions, USC Pharmacy fraternity parties and talent shows in Mar Vista and Crenshaw shopping centers.


Later I was asked to play drums for Thee Prophets. It's members included, David Akiyama, Brian Tanouye, Johnny Sanchez, Tom Sonjeka, Gordon Young, Michael Hotta, Denis Hotta, John Hubbard, David Honjio and a guy whose last name was I think Torigoi."

Hiroshima - a World Community-Minded Musical Talent

The band Hiroshima performed at the "Thousand Hearts" Japan Relief concert on April 23rd at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

I have never seen them in a "real" concert - they were awesome.  Their guest vocalist was the golden voice of Mr. Terry Steele.  The audience comprised primarily of two camps:  the Hiroshima fans, and the young teens & 20-somethings drawn there to see the other feature performers, Quest Crew, an Asian-American dance ensemble who made America's Best Dance Crew in MTV's Season 3.

The über-talented Hiroshima (click on image to zoom)

 

Hiroshima plays throughout the country, and their performance schedule can be tracked at their website.

Quest Crew's amazing moves from this mostly guys and one girl ensemble (click on image to zoom)

Asian Retro

Mitchell Matsumura's Asian Retro, viewable on Facebook, has been up for some time - what took me so long to mention it?  Hi Mitchell!  It's been a long time!  We lost touch.  You've been talking to my brother down in Gardena town?

Asian Retro has really taken shape since I last signed on.  It covers the dances, the cars, the old music, the new music along with profiles on contemporary musicians.  There are discussions, photos and an abundance of comments.

Readers, for those who are not familiar, Asian Retro can be viewed even by those without a Facebook account - however, if you want to submit comments, you will need to set up an account.

Mitchell states on his site that he promoted dances back in the 70's and 80's at places like Lococo's, Jockey Club, Destiny II, Tiffanys, Chez Moi, Max 151, Downunder Saloon, and Lahani's.

The YouTube Generation

Hindsight Wishes

The L.A. Asian American dance scene of the mid-1970s and early 1980s lives in my memory.

I think of the current technology and think back to all that could have been captured on video and camera - the bands playing, the guys and the girls, the dance moves.

Can you imagine holding up the wall (with cell phones in hand, and everyone glued to their hand-helds texting across the room??

Check out this fun music video of Joseph Vincent - wow, what a difference 40 years make!