Summer Sun: the Los Angeles Asian American Dance Scene

New Recollections from L.A. & Stockton, California

2011-10-24T16:53:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-14T23:29:00.000-07:00

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

2011-02-20T23:37:00.000-08:00

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!

Tennis Connection's Holiday Party December 11, 2010

2010-12-06T23:02:00.000-08:00

Tennis Connection has been hosting a holiday party for at least 20 years. Once again, this Saturday, our party will be at Andres inside the Doubletree Hotel in Torrance. High Resolution's DJ Steve Kikuchi will be back at it - maybe for the last time. Honestly, we're struggling to meet our minimum, the same problem we had last year. We thought we'd give it another try, but I'm gonna vote against another dance party next year.Those of us who will be in attendance will have loads of fun, but the business end of hosting is a wreck.On top of that, there is another party the same night, down in Gardena town at Cherrystone's, run by no other than Leonard Kim. Music Company's Dane Matsumura's got that gig, looks like it will be a jammin' night over there.

The 70's Street Machine

2010-06-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

My friend's Datsun 510, one of many racing and cruising vehicles that turned my head on the streets, parking lots, freeways, and cruise nights in the 1970s.

And Now, Rickie Miyake, Former Band Member of Easy Livin'

2010-03-12T23:21:00.000-08:00

Rickie found out my blog through his friend, and he contacted me the other day. It is so nice to meet you, online, Rickie. As a former band member, he contributes a new perspective on the 70s Asian dance scene:

I just wanted to drop a quick note and say that it seems when people mentioned the music from back then, they forgot to mention Jo Mama. “Sailing” was one of my favorite songs.

I was part of one of the lesser garage bands from back then, a group called Easy Livin’. The other members were Teri Kusumoto on vocals (she went on to sing for Hiroshima for a while), Michael Kosaka on bass, Duane Kamei on guitar (his brother Jerry was the keyboard player in the Chosen Few and Free Flight) and Dennis Yokotake (currently with the Music Company). We got together in 1971, around the time when Free Flight, Carry On, Winfield Summit, Long Time Comin’ etc., were popular.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello and that I am looking forward to reading all your blog entries! BTW, I graduated from Dorsey in 1972.. so these posts bring back some good memories!

Rickie Miyake

Later Rickie wrote:

I think that’s a great idea you had about the blog. Back then we never really thought about any cultural implications, it was just something that we did for fun. I always looked forward to these dances and the weekends in which there weren’t any seemed kind of empty. Now, I didn’t dance (still don’t, despite my wife’s attempts to get me to do that) but the reason I liked the dances was to go listen to the bands.

The first dance I ever attended was a pretty memorable one – it was the last appearance of the Chosen Few, which I think was at Roger Young. I remember the very last song they played was a cover of Linda Ronstadt’s “Long Long Time.”

Back in junior high and high school I was constantly listening to music – back then it was KHJ’s Boss Radio and the Boss Jocks, and KRLA. I always wanted to be in a band, too. One day we were at Duane’s house and his brother’s band, Free Flight, had practiced there the day before and left all their equipment set up. Well, you can guess what happened next. That was the very beginning of Easy Livin’. After our first laughable “jam session” I posed the idea, why don’t we start up our own band? Everyone else thought I was kidding but I kept nagging them because it had been so much fun. Gradually, the idea set in.. the final group had only Duane and myself from the group of us buddies who commandeered Free Flight’s instruments and amps that day but we found three others to play with us.

I was never very good but I have to say, those were just about the most fun days of my life. I mean, how much better could it be – doing something that you really love to do. We were blessed having someone like Teri who had such a great voice. She was like the glue that held us together. Playing as a group was great – not once was I ever nervous because it felt like we were all there for each other. If I were to be by myself I know I’d be very nervous. I suppose it was kind of unusual since Asians were supposed to be more sedate.

As for the culture part – back then I did used to wonder if other ethnic groups did the same thing. I always kind of felt like this was a distinctly Asian-American event; even with the bands, it was odd when a non-Asian band would play at a dance. Their music was always different, too.

You have probably seen this video already but just in case you haven’t, here’s something a friend of mine sent me last year. I thought it captured the spirit of those times very well, although they seem to give short shrift to us Westsiders, haha.. here’s the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nukJYZT1SCw

I’ve written a lot about my experiences growing up in my own blog. If you’re interested, you can take a look. A lot of the entries are mundane or goofy or whatever was on my mind, but a number of them do have recollections of things past – the older ones in particular (before I ran out of memories to write about). The blog has an obvious address: http://www.rickiemiyake.com

Thanks, and it’s nice “meeting” you!

Rickie

"Dynasty" to Perform at Oldies Dance - April 17, 2010

2010-03-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

Liz Hoshizaki and members of the band, Dynasty, will be performing hits from the 60s and 70s on Saturday, April 17th at the Holiday Inn, in Diamond Bar, California.

Presenting…

“All Day Music”

Dance to the music you remember from
the 60’s to the 80’s

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Holiday Inn (Diamond Bar)
21725 E. Gateway Center Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
909-860-5440
Cocktails & hors d’oeuvres
Dance

Advanced seating reservations
recommended (limited capacity)
$25 per person

Contact Liz or Russell Hoshizaki
909-396-1628

Dance music provided by:

DYNASTY
Russell Hoshizaki
Liz Hoshizaki
Dan Salas
Jeff Carter
Gary Yano
Jon Lundgren
Gino JaVierre

7:30—8:30 PM
8:30—11:30 PM

Dressy casual
Restaurant on premises
open for dinner 5 to 10PM

Breakfast at Tak's - Crenshaw Square

2010-03-02T21:30:00.000-08:00

Here is a gem of a YouTube video tribute to the customers, and the owner Mary, of Tak's Coffee Shop in the community - yes I said 'community' of L.A.'s Crenshaw district:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVIjRjwmXh0&sns=em

George said "this video clip brought back some very old memories of my days at UCLA/USC in the 70's & 80's. Many of you on this email shared our college days together. Enjoy!!!

Tak's owner used to work at the coffee shop at the Holiday Bowl. How I wish I could get one more short rib meal at Walt's Cafe or the prime ribdinner at Rudy's....... "

On a related note, hey Gordon, tell William to email me about his family's restaurant in Crenshaw - get with it!

Betty

Comment from Ron - a Tribute to Loco Mojo

2010-02-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

Ron sent in a comment this past Wednesday, but comments tend to be buried on the blog, so I'm bringing it up here! By the way, Dane is playing with with a band headlined by Michael Grange on Saturday, March 6th, 7:00 p.m. at DiPiazza's, at 5205 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, $10.00 cover charge; make a reservation at 562-233-8894. Here is what Ron wrote:

Hey Dane,

I've enjoyed hearing Loco Mojo over the years at Paul's Kitchen. Sorry that place is no longer happening but that you guys are still quite active. I'm trying to keep track of where you guys play so that I can enjoy those old sounds. Keep your groove goin on and I'll be there right with ya!
Ron.....Manual Arts HS, "60

Hermosa Beach at 22nd Street

2010-02-02T22:32:00.000-08:00

Many of us congregated at a stretch of beach at Hermosa. My cousins and I used to have a contest every summer to see who darkened the most and fastest with our Coppertone Tanning Butter. Below, my friend tells more:

Hi Betty!
I am so happy you are doing this retrospective on the AADS, it was part of our teen culture, and surely brings back fond memories...

I remember:

*the dances were what we looked forward to all week, I worked at Contempo Casuals, so it was fun to have access to the lastest trends and picking out an outfit for the dance!

*My dad was not too fond of his "east-side" girl hanging out with the "west side" crowd, but alot of my friends (from church) were from the west side, and it was exciting to cruise Crenshaw Blvd on the weekends. I couldnt drive yet, so my west side friends would drive us around.

One night, we parked in front of KJLH radio station, where they broadcast live, and "King Oliver" gave us a shout out on the radio while we were parked right in front of his window!

* Beach culture- of course we hung out at Hermosa, at 22th Street...when I was old enough to drive, I would be there every single weekend with my friends, baking in baby oil til we were dark as possible. We were listening to Tower of Power, Isley Brothers, Chicago, and Michael Jackson (on cassette)

*Street races- that was pretty fantastic- it was exciting to watch, and exhilarating to be a part of the crowd, because of the danger involved and running from the cops if they showed up...often times the races would suddenly be announced at a "secret" location, where if you knew where that location was, it was even more exciting to be there, like being privy to some underground party!!!

They had races from Montebello to Oxnard, and even my friends in San Francisco worked on their Camaro engines to race in "LA".

*Music- to this day, when I hear "Suavecito" by Malo or All Day Music by War, it brings me back to my childhood dances. I learned (or tried to learn!) dances like the cha-cha, or electric glide, but most of the time I would watch the experienced dancers until I practiced enough at home. Back then, we spent alot of time to look great and dressed to impress! So we regularly got permed, and ALWAYS wore platform shoes, and of course had to wear the latest Chemin de Fer jeans!

*Food-I played sports and alot of my friends also played softball, basketball and volleyball in the asian-american leagues, so eating was a big part of our social calendar. We frequented hang outs like Mago's on the west side, where cha-su avocado tacos and burritos were on the menu, Far East Cafe, Manuel's (El Tepayac) in East LA, or Ciros if ET was too crowded, also a hot spot for us was Westwood, near UCLA where we would go eat at one of the food joints (falafels or burgers), then we'd shop for jewelry at the street fair or go to the movies.

*Shopping- since there were no cell phones or internet, the mall was a popular destination for me and my girlfriends. Since I worked at Contempo, a lot of my friends would come shop there, or to the Attic in Monterey Park or Montebello, or Judy's, which was another chain in the mall.

Guys were wearing alot of jeans and workshirts, girls were all about the widest bell bottoms with platform shoes, or wallabies, but on the weekends, the guys would put on their silky disco shirts and gals wore hot pants and minis or low rise bell bottoms and platforms and those looks are now an iconic fashion mark of the seventies.

I hope these memories can help you with your story! Thanks for making me go back in time, it was fun recalling.

Dorsey High School and the Clubs

2010-01-28T22:20:00.000-08:00

Earlier I mentioned the girls' club The Chanels and a boys' club Ronin. I spoke to Ken by phone, who knew several of the girls of The Chanels. He was adopted into their club as a result of their mutual friendship. A 1964 graduate of Dorsey High, Ken typically attended public dances at the usual places like Rodger Young's, Aeronautical and one place that I believe has not been mentioned by others: King's Tropical Inn.

At Dorsey, he said there was another dominant girl club called Jeunes (translates to Young People). Ken also had some older friends, and he recalls they were a part of a guys club called Chonin.

I asked Ken whether it was true that those early public dances were semi-formal in dress. Ken confirmed what I had heard: people attended the functions in coats and ties, wearing what you would wear to church, he said. For that matter, he told me, many dances were sponsored by Japanese churches, like Centenary in Little Tokyo and Buddhist churches like Senshin at Normandie and 36th. He said the monthly dances were not broadly publicized, so mostly Japanese Americans attended.

I inquired whether bands or recorded music was played - Ken said the functions he remembered in the 1960s were a little of both. One group from the mid-1960s that came to mind was Thee Chosen Few, a band whose members were multi-ethnic, including a Black member named Royce. Dances were also conducted 'low-tech' whereby probably a phonograph player was situated, allowing 45's to be played - with instances in which attendees brought their own latest records to be played and danced to. (Oh, oh, is it necessary to explain to some readers what is a '45'?? No, just google it with key words 'vinyl record' and figure it out if you don't know.)

Turning back to the Dorsey clubs, I asked him whether dances put on by the clubs were business ventures. Ken said, oh yes, they had to rent out a dance hall, along with a bar that was very "liberal" in serving drinks. Ken also recalls that The Chanels held many, many house parties around 1962 to 1964 or so.

I couldn't finish my phone interview without bringing up the subject of 'cruising'. Ah, yes, Ken remembers cruising Hollywood Boulevard, and around eating joints the Hodys and an A&W somewhere in Hawthorne. Cars in those days, he said, were equipped with record players spring-loaded to play 45's. Ken distinctly remembers in the year 1963, a friend proudly cruised in a 1950 Olds that he restored into a head-turning, eye-popping "pearlescent lime green."

Betty

I Miss My Car

2010-01-18T20:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Betty,

It's the southbay kid again. I do miss all the good old days of dances, hang outs, and races. I'm glad that there are still some dances going on now. It's great that some of the bands are still together and playing all the oldies. I just don't remember alot of the people anymore. The group I knew, need to show up at these dances or maybe, they just don't know that they're back. Anyway, what I miss most about the past is my car. 1970 Chevelle SS. Boo Hoo, had to sell it years ago and wish I had it back.

Judy - That 70s Girl Remembers

2010-01-13T23:03:00.000-08:00

My friend Judy got word of my original questionnaire and emailed her responses January 10, 2010:

Do you remember the song “Summer Sun” recorded by the group Jamestown Massacre? Remember it being played often at dances?

Yes, but vaguely. I want to bring it up on google to refresh my brain- I wonder if that song is out there on the internet music, etc.

What were the names of the bands? Who were the members? Where are they today?

Carry On, Windfield Summit, Crosswinds..(Craig Lee's band) Prism band (James Ibusuki from Washington Irving Jr. High) , Hiroshima in J-town I re-read your blog and all those posted band names out there...I did not think about it until now. Yep, great memories!

Where did you go to a dance? UCLA fraternity house? Baby Lion’s? Gung Hay’s? Rodger Young’s? Tell me about those places. Where were they located? What do you remember about the venues?

All the places that were listed in your blog. Especially La Mirada Country Club, Loco's- MB. Yes, to Baby Lions (around the corner from where I worked) South Los Angeles, Gung Hay- Torrance, Asian Blend- WLA a few times? Rodger Young, vaguely. It is strange/crazy to think about now...Friday and/or Saturday nights, we would leave late to go to the dance parties. I remember all the Asian guys acting cool, standing around and not talking. HAHAHAHAHAHAAH HEEHEHEHEHE

Weekends were for fun hanging out with my girlfriends and see all my friends at the dances. Wondering..WHO IS THAT CUTE GUY? WHAT DO I wear ? (???? and I must go shopping again! I have to shampoo my hair first! (hahahahahaahah) Sorry to say but UCLA/USC Asian people at that time were a little snobby. hahaha (sorry) unless you were introduced by a common friend. Then, it was ok to talk and hang out.

What music do you remember hearing and dancing to?
Tower of Power, Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, Motown anything, some early Hiroshima.

Who were the organizers of the dances?
Yes, George Tong for sure, Mitchell Matsumura@ Jockey Club.

Did you go cruising, or enjoy being a spectator? Spectator but I had boyfriends with their hot (?) cars, Datsun 240 Z rear spoiler, racing mirrors, sunken steering wheels and recoro bucket seats, etc. from Marshall High School & Cal State Univ.,Los Angeles. Seemed like all guys "worked" on their cars and did car talk with all their friends. Washed and waxed their cars every week.

What other experiences did you have, minor, inconsequential, or major? Just pure fun experiences, (WHO is smoking that joint? ) and thinking back now those were the best days and I should of made the best of them. No more fun after moving out of the house, getting a full time job, and go to work, etc. I had to going out for some freedom at least one night a weekend . I remember my DAD saying "WHY do you have to go out so LATE?" 10:00 pm "Do not tell me you were at the library." "Nobody leaves the house this late." "Why can't you leave at 7:00 pm and come home by 11:00pm? One particular great memory was eating late at Holiday Bowl in the Crenshaw neighborhood. First time, I had oyako domburi!" Coming home at 1:00 am or 2:00 am and sleeping in Sunday morning was normal for me as long as I kept up the grades in college and worked part-time at CSULA.

In your opinion, how does the social outlet, or the leisure time of the Asian American dances fit in the overarching general culture of Los Angeles and Southern California? I was glad to do all those fun things while I was going to college. Yes, when I read your blog it was fun to think back to those good old days...........Great memories for me. It is now history (SADLY) but interesting Asian social history! LA Chinese New Year and Nisei week carnival season was lots of fun, too! On K-earth, they play lots of oldies song..Today, I heard a song called "Precious and Few" by Climax, the band (?), it was popular song for slow dancing (and not your typical but cool R&B song. ) Starting this blog was a GREAT idea! Betty!

"The girls in their fake eyelashes, getting to the dances at a cool time like 10:00 pm. "

2010-01-06T22:37:00.000-08:00

Carolyn wrote on December 29th:

During the 1970s, I enjoyed going to some of the dances at Gung Hay, General Lee and Dillions and may have attended one Roger Young dance with some friends. I also was invited to some of George Tong's parties and dances. For George's last party in the 1990s, he chartered a yacht with approximately 40-50 people who sailed around the local harbors. At the time, the women thought George was a very good-looking "Fox."

Helen wrote on December 20th:

Helen, your Toyota Carina driving partner! Yeah, reading some of the other blogs reminded of those good ol days of the 70's. I remembered lots of things back then. How about the Kiana polyester shirts and tight polyester pants the guys used to wear at the dances? And polyester wrap dresses for the girls so their legs would show off when we did disco twirls? But just before Disco there that rhythmic dance step, side to side. Everyone was doing a version of the same dance step. When we'd to the the ladies room, you could hear everyone dancing to the same platform shoe clacking sounds. The girls in their fake eyelashes, getting to the dances at a cool time like 10:00 pm. Those Sibicca platform shoes that made us just a little taller than the guys. Donna Summer's "Last Dance" . Mago's teriyaki avocado burgers and Kalapana from Hawaii. Remember the beach on Sunday where there were the usual faces from the night before dances, showing up at 22nd street in Redondo Beach (?). It was around the time Jaws the movie came out in theaters. And the guys in their cars...Hondas and Toyotas mostly loaded with Libre tire rims and Rococo seats! 8 track tapes! Then came the regular cassettes. Betty, you've brought me back down memory lane again. A unique time in the 70's. I also asked my kids about 'clubbing' and the mixed races at the bars. Same as what Allen said.
Betty, this has been a real trip. Helen

Dancing for Solidarity

2009-12-17T15:36:00.000-08:00

A friend, Phyllis, mentioned to me that she and about 10 friends formed a club in 1957 called the Chanels. The members, she said, were in junior high school, earned straight A's, and they all played basketball.

Why the name, I asked? After the perfume, Phyllis said.

The Chanels blossomed, expanded their membership, became co-ed, and existed until the 1970s. The Chanels were responsible for a considerable number of public dances.

I am gauging that the founding members were likely to have been born within a few years after their parents were released from the internment camps. Could the stigma of the camps have influenced the girls' desire to form a sisterhood?

Young Chinese Americans also had cause to seek solidarity, because American laws ruled against the Chinese. When the Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed in 1943, it gradually enabled Chinese families to take root. The second generation, such as myself, became teenagers and young adults in the late 1950s - 1980s. And all Asian groups slowly gained geographical mobility after the prejudicial restrictive real estate covenants were outlawed after 1948.

Every culture and generation has its social gatherings. Even the younger people locked together in World War II internment camps held dances in order to lift their spirits towards normalcy, as portrayed in the contemporary Japanese American musical production "Camp Dance." What set Asian Americans apart, particularly in the post-war years, was the stifled Asian representation in media, motion pictures and television, until Asian American music bands began to form.

Following the impact of the Beatles and the British Invasion that rocked rock and roll in 1964, alas young, impressionable Asian Americans were finally up close and personal with performers whom they could identify.

There was the brief and exciting splash on the small screen from 1966 to 1967 when the charismatic Bruce Lee played Kato, the martial arts crime-fighting sidekick to the Green Hornet.

My adulation was short-lived, and the disappointment of the show's departure was not remedied by the 1972 show, "Kung Fu" starring David Carradine.

This sequence of tv offerings probably fueled the popularity of Asian American dances in the 1970s. I proudly felt the rising star of the band Hiroshima and recognized the authentic melodies of the koto string instrument. Their original music blended the west with the east, an auditory metaphor for young Asian Americans who sought to reconcile their own personal west with their east.

Disco music eventually supplanted the live band experience. Cory S., known then by the moniker "Disco LA", was a successful deejay. Cory wrote to me:

I first started deejaying back in 1977 during the "Disco" days and was the house DJ for the then popular Asian American night club known as the "Asian Blend" located in W. L.A. on Pico Bl. off of Bundy. I was also the DJ for the 1st Nisei Week Disco Dance contest during Nisei Week back in the late 70's.

I have many years experience working as a DJ dating back to college radio stations KLA at UCLA and KSUL at Cal State Long Beach. I served 4 years as radio announcer for Armed Forces Radio during my stint in the U.S. Army from 1970-74.

Though the live bands grew out of favor, Asian American crowds were still congregating and Asian American deejays were the dance compatriots. My friend Judy recalls attending those dances in the 1980s, but it was all DJ music.

After disco was proclaimed "dead", Southern California eventually saw the rise of two new clubs: Orange County Sansei Singles, and Tennis Connection. Many members of these clubs hail from the generation that drove the dance scene of the late 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s.

Tennis Connection was formed in 1988 by a handful of friends who enjoyed tennis. Twenty years later, the club has kept an average membership roster of over 140 people, primarily Asian Americans. I have been the club treasurer for many years. Last Saturday night, we held our annual holiday party in Torrance. Steve Kikuchi, of High Resolution, has been our longstanding deejay. High Resolution has maintained a successful deejay presence on the Asian American social circuit for at least 15 to 20 years.

The Early Clubs: the Chanels and the Ronins

2009-12-16T17:36:00.000-08:00

Jack L. provided me with a lot of interesting information, the early clubs, and he mentions Imperial Gardens. Yeah, I remember IG! I saw Dan Kuramoto, of Hiroshima, playing his saxophone there, playing for the enjoyment of playing.

December 13th Jack L. wrote:

Hi Betty...............i'm chinese too and an ABC........my dad had a couple of hand laundries ....one near Arlington and Washington and one on Crenshaw in Inglewood..........My mom was the driving force to expand and do agency work, we had a large family.......after school we took the bus to help dad press and iron shirts......we got $2 a week .......There was a lot of Lew families in the laundry business ..........I knew a lot of them, they were close and distant relatives.......we're all somehow related.

I knew one of your posters Gordon Hom........he did work at Olson's Electronics on Pico........we used to tape 4 track cassettes there ...he knew my brother Gary. Dancing for me all began in Mt. Vernon J/H at the noontime dances........this is how we interacted with the girls on Wednesdays noontime dance...They did have ballroom dance class at the time.......and this lead to current dance steps and freestyle...........it was a lot of fun!.......kids from this jr. high went on to either LA or Dorsey.......and that's probably why we know a lot of people.

At LA High we met a lot of new people from the the local jr. highs...............that's when we found out about house parties and dances..Being Chinese it was so hard to get out of the house to go to a party ..............you asked .........if not,you sneaked out and suffered the pain!......I did my share and took buses at nite to get to those dances..............didn't have a car so you walked and took the bus........finally we had our own house parties on the westside...........and that was cool.

Working at a gas station on Slauson partime ..............driviing a 55 chevy and a 62 Impala..........going to house parties from LA to Gardena......westside to the eastside........the valley to Pasadena........we would caravan from house party to house party......and if we didn't find it we would be dancing on some quiet street near Crenshaw................those were the days of innocence and good times ........we had friends from all over LA, predominately Chinese and Japanese..........we all got along, we ran in a large group of people and partied together...........it was fun in those days,very few hassles. We danced and ate together at all of these places.............of course Roger Young(Ronins gave dances there).....Parkview......Gardena Elks....Aeronautical on Beverly......Old Dixie on Western......Mayflower Hotel downtown(Blue Satins played)..........on Boyle across from the old Sears bldg...the Polish hall......and many more I can't think of right now..............a bowl of saimen or chili over rice or chashu eggs over rice after the dance was so good!!!!!!!!!!...............Holiday Bowl.......Hodys............Rodeo Bowl......Carrows Gardena......Triangle on Atlantic.........Tiny Naylors on Sunset........Ben Franks on Hollywood ......Midtown Bowl........and many others

Other Saturday nites we were behind the Crenshsaw Mall with Big Willie and the LA street racers.............the Huntington Beach all day beach partys were a lot of fun for the gang .......lots of sun ,food and girls ...it was great......I think we did this once a year.......anyways, time to go....JL.

December 14th Jack wrote:

these were my experiences growing up . ......we were living in the area between Uptown and Crenshaw off of Olympic blvd......now they call it K-town......there was Chinese and Japanese that we went to school with and played ball up and down the street. If you post the email its ,ok to use my name......... The group called the Ronins started in Gardena as a Club and we held dances at Roger Young Auditorium in the mid 60's...it was made up of guys from LA and Gardena......I think it lasted until some of us got drafted into the army and went to Nam............. Aeronautical was a nice place to dance......it was clean and it had this modern style about it..............I remembered the dances there were given by the guy group and girl group together........I think the guys group started with a K and the girls were the Chanels(wonderful one)....if you mention the name I probably would remember it......its been a long time........... You ask about Old Dixie...........well that was on 42nd st and Western Ave.........that was a place where we slowwww... dance to the juke box .........it was a cavernous place and a fun place to dance.........that was during high school and after.......... When we went to dances we always had these colorful bids to tell us when...where...what time and who gave the dance.......we used to collect them but they're long gone now..............anyways,talk to you soon and Merry Christmas!........t/c Jack L

Q. Everything you have told me is so interesting. There is a pattern, of groups starting social clubs; do you know the origin or reason behind the group name, Ronins??

December 15th Jack wrote:

hey Betty,.............. are you writing a book?.............there's a lot people out there that went to house parties and dances in the 60's.........the Ronins ( I think Ronin has something to do with a lone samurai)..would fill the whole ballroom at Roger Youngs wall to wall .......it was always packed and we had live bands performing.......there was a lot of asians going to dances in groups and they were from all over.................from Long Beach to Sun Valley and from the westside to the east.............you wouldn't believe the number of house parties we went to..........sometimes 2 or 3 in one nite.........we would pick up our friends and hit the 1st party then to the 2nd party and etc......and bring new people along with us.........it was fun!..........then we'll end up at Holiday Bowl.

In the 70's.......the dance scene kinda died out ....didn't hear too much .....baby boomers were settled down with house and kids.............not too much dancing going on except for asian clubs..........George Tong's Golden Tale in El Segundo..............Benji's yearly dances in San Francisco ........Joe Jungs in San Francisco..........Osko's or the Cave near the Beverly center.....Friday nites at Imperial Gardens on Sunset in Hollywood with Dave and the band in the 80's .........John Kims happenings at LA venues..............Chez noi in Beverly Hills.......after IG closed there wasn't any places where asians could see each other and hang out..............so the venues to meet and reconnect were very few...............anyways,if I think of anything else I'll email.....t/c jack.

Sam, from Belmont Class of 1970

2009-12-16T17:30:00.000-08:00

From December 11th, Sam wrote:

I started going to Asian American dances when I was in high school right around 1969. I also went to Belmont High and went to the "Bell Hops" at Belmont. As early as Jr. high, I remember hearing Beaudry Expresst at dance at Nightengale Jr. Hi. I went to all the same schools you did...Castelar, Nightengale and Belmont. Graduated from Belmont in 1970.

Places and dances I remember the most are Surfrider Inn in Santa Monica, Roger Young Auditorium, and Parkview Women's Club in Crenshaw. later on, places like the Elk's Club, Blarney's Castle, and La Mirada Country Club came into play...Another place to go back in the day was Imperial Gardens in Hollywood...

Gung Hay restaurant in Gardena on Tuesday night was the place to be during the disco era...I still don't know how I was able to function on Wednesday mornings...

I went to dances almost every weekend ..Myself and two of my close buddies...we went to meet girls and just listen to the live music...good fun at the time.

Another band not mentioned yet is "New Trend"..they were great!!

I read all the entries and this has brought back many fond memories of the good old days...

Thanks for starting this blog.

I Just Wanted to Meet Asian American Boys

2009-12-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

Why did we gravitate to dance parties attended predominantly by Asians and Asian Americans?

Robert Bracamontes emailed me and explained:

Hi Betty,
I was thinking of Park View dances and for sure Roger Young. Enough nihonjin
and other Asians to make my day. I married Asian, lol, still together. We went
to a lot of house parties too, where the crowd was the same. But of all the
details, especially the Hiroshima Band, this was a building block for entering a
different culture other than my own. I am Chicano/Native American.

I have lived the Asian life in my day. Grew up with my Japanese friends when
you called your hommies Buddha heads and that was cool. Later we just called
each other the N word because we felt an attachment to the civil rights
movement. We used the N word because it was a social, political, economic and
cultural distinction from the dominant white prejudice culture. The same system
we see today taking our jobs away with the unemployed in California at 12.5% to
17% excluding us economically. And pretty soon the straight A's that could get
you into higher education won't matter much if you can't afford the 32% fee
hikes of this week in the UC system.

I saw a great display of arrogance in Little J Town back in the day. Wes, my
Buddha Head friend for life and I were picking up bento. I saw a White dude in
his WWII uniform standing on the corner, it was December 7. He looked at all the
people like they were some thing the baby leaves in his diaper. Just then a car
screeches around the corner, almost running over an elder Japanese lady and her
grandson, it stops and picks him up. I hated it. From that day on I called Wes
on December 7th just to remind him that we are still N's in the white world. We
never forgot about all the dances or house parties we went to, they nurtured
this connection to diversity in life.

Sorry this took so long. Peace, Robert Bracamontes

Question:

Hi Robert, thanks for your input. Ironically, as I am writing to you, here in L.A. it is still December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day, 2009.

However, I am confused: you recall an incident in j-town about a soldier - wearing a WWII uniform??? you're not that old, are you?? please clarify.

Answer:

The incident was on December 7th and he was, tall, white and looking at
people as if to intimidate. I guess he was making a statement, here I am and
what are you gonna do about it. Still looking back on the dances, they were
gatherings for people that were not welcomed in other circles. It seems
harsh to say, but I think many Japanese felt that way. After all when
you lock up the parents and grandparents of these young people there is
always the feeling it could happen to them. They gathered at these
dances beyond the music. It was place I think they felt safe and loved.

I was in my twenties when it happened, but it burned an imprint in my memory. We never think of history when we are young, like our children of today that are in their twenties. You know my children are half Chinese. I know I missed a few opportunities to stand up for what was just, but I want them to be aware of the consequences of complacency. Bob

* * *

As for myself, my father had a laundry business in the heart of Hollywood from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s. I guess we were oddballs - a Chinese family business serving the laundry needs of white customers, many of whom worked in the entertainment industry - I do not recall anyone being prejudicially rude, but perhaps I developed an "internalized racism", as Bill Watanabe also experienced.

Watanabe is the Executive Director of the Little Tokyo Service Center. In a profile published in The Studio for Southern California History's newsletter, his calling to help the Asian community through social service programs began as he reflected upon his own feelings of ethnicity and not fitting in. He recalled declining to attend a friend's party in fear of not belonging because he was Japanese.

Any subconscious feelings I may have had in the 1970s about the need to fit in may have drove me to Asian American dance parties, but at that age, I also simply wanted to meet Asian American boys.

Collective Memory

2009-12-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

I am curious about the uniqueness of the circa 1970s LA Asian American dance scene and how it compares to the party and social outlets embraced by later generations.

I asked is my 22-year old nephew, Allen, a recent graduate from UCR. The survey session went something like this, not really verbatim:

Betty: Allen, I want to find out what the younger generations are doing for socializing. Are there Asian dances? Do people cruise?

Allen: Cruise? Define cruising?

Betty: When we used to go to dances, there was cruising before and after the dances. The cars included American hot rods and modified Japanese cars.

[My two brothers, who were present, interrupted with their comments, so I forgot Allen's answer, but I gathered that the activity of cruising as we knew it was negligible for people of Allen's age.]

Betty: Do you know of dances where you and other Asians can get together?

Allen: We go to bars.

Betty: Do you listen to DJs? Are there live bands?

Allen: No, there are no live bands.

Betty: But where do you go dancing?

Allen: We go clubbing, that's where you can dance, but there are no "dances."

[I began to suspect that the term "dances" is not part of Allen's lexicon.]

Betty: So these clubs have people of all ethnicities?

Allen: Yes, there are people of all different backgrounds.

Betty: When you attended UCR, were there Asian American academic organizations or fraternities that threw dances?

Allen: There were groups, and they threw parties, but not "dances."

* * *

Granted, today gasoline is too expensive to fiddle away driving aimlessly. And back then the phrases "carbon footprint" and "emissions control" were not in our daily vocabulary. In the 1970s, young people tinkered with their cars as a creative outlet - and their wheels expressed who they were. There was a certain uniformity: the wink mirror, the lowered chassis, the wide tires, the chrome wheels, the loud exhaust pipe, and for extra coolness - a car roof topped with a ski rack during the winter season.

Kids today still love their cars, but the drivers back in the 1970s just happened to flaunt it a little more during the dance gatherings. Young people today have other distractions: computer toys and electronic music gadgets; today young men have a lot of fashion choices to express their vanity.

I have yet to interview more people from younger generations, but as it stands, our experiences from the Asian American dance era provide a distinct collective memory. Anyone who was there back then is automatically "in the know" today when they hear a song like "Summer Sun" being played. The song brings back sights and sounds like the bands, specific places, restaurants, and cars.

TGIF

2009-12-04T23:52:00.000-08:00

It's Friday Night! Time to Blog!

Thanks, Gordon Hom, for your comments about your first job at Olson's. Never heard of the place.

I appreciate you Revealing Yourself, you are not anonymous, you are the brave one.

FYI Gordon's comment is buried in my blogspot: it is found on the blog "Photo and Other Images..."

The music was so important, wasn't it Gordon? To hear one of those songs, it takes you back to the crowds on the dance floor. Gordon, I think Summer Sun is the anthem of the Asian dances. Once the tune starts up, I think about the camaraderie in the mutual enjoyment of that song. I had not heard it in decades, and now anytime I want to hear it, I find it freely on YouTube.

I was at the hairdresser yesterday, asked my long time stylist about his memories of attending dances. He started using antiquated words like "gabardine pants" "tube tops" "see-through blouses."

The night before last I was on the phone with my sister-in-law. She hails from San Jose and she recalls Carry On playing up there. I would enjoy getting more details about the dance scene up in the Bay area.

Remembrances from the South Bay

2009-12-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

New Email sent to me:

I'm a SouthBay person who remembers all the dances. I enjoyed the street cruising after the dances. I owned a muscle car as well but only cruised with it as my friends did all the racing. Working in a gas station let me hang out with all the other guys who had muscle cars like me. I remember hanging out at Carrow's in Gardena where some to the southbay racers meet. I enjoyed muscle cars more than the small imports that took over later.

The dancing venues were places like Roger Young's, Blarney's Castle, Embassy Hall, Parkview, Baces Hall, Elks Club, La Mirada, Casa Escabar, Quality Inn, Baby Lions, Gung Hay's, Lococo's, Jockey Club, Golden Tale, Lahana's, Osko Disco, etc..

The bands I remebered were Hiroshima, Carry On, the Prophets, Free Flight, Beaudry Express, Winfield Summit, Dynasty, Benjo Blues Band, We the People, Barkada, Prism, Something Else, Long Time Coming, Headstone, Crossroads, Just Us, etc,, and the music of Kalapana, CK, and others from the Islands.

The after dances we went were places like Holiday Bowl, Mago''s, Al Penny's, Van de Kamp, Denneys in Montebello, Gardena, Torrance, on Western in LA, JoJo's, Carrow's (Karissa the waitress), and sometimes to Harry's Chop Suey in Gardena. And if we didn't go to the dance, we hung out at Mr. Pockets or Andy's Pool Hall.

I remember the crazy dances we did like the cha cha, rock steady, bump, chase, hustle, point, white boy, and the soul train lines for the lockers. The music is still fresh in my mind and the songs I still remember. It's good that some of the dances are back again thanks to Music Company, Steve Kikuchi and band, Mojo's, and I here that Carry On may get back sometime in the Future again. Thanks for the memories Kenny!

Update from Dane on Paul's Kitchen - Thanks Goes to Thomas Yee!

2009-12-03T11:36:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone, this is an email from Dane:

Wow, I didn't expect my emails to end up on this page. I would like to clarify a few things. I just don't like the way it sounds on the blog page. I met Thomas Yee (the owner of Paul's Kitchen) when I was 15 years old. He was the lead singer for the band "Beaudry Express" before I had joined their band. At that time (1970), Thomas was serving in the U.S. military and he would always come to see us play when he was on leave in LA. Now, concerning the Paul's Kitchen thing. One night (about 30 years later) after playing for a private party at Paul's Kitchen, I asked Thomas if I could put a band together to come play on Thursday nights. Thomas being the music lover that he is, gave me the open arm, go ahead to do whatever I like, musically. Well, we played there every Thursday night for just over 3 1/2 years which are 6 months longer than we were all in high school. I may have been the chief instigator but the credit goes to Thomas, all of the great musicians, and friends who showed up week after week that supported our effort to promote "live" music. I was lucky enough to have some of the best local musicians from our community come out and play their hearts out. We all made many new friends and reunited with many old friends. It was just great and I am very grateful to have had that opportunity. It was full circle, like playing at dances thru my high school years all over again. I sure miss it and will never forget all of the good times we had there. Thank you all for your contribution. Thanks Thomas for allowing us!!!

Hey, I'm New to Blogging

2009-12-01T22:15:00.000-08:00

Hi, it's Betty.

It appears that the Blogspot allows the public to make comments, and your comments will be published once I hit the okay button as the administrator of the Blogspot.

However, if you want to actually post a blog, I can authorize your email (and you would still have to sign up for a Google email account.) Sorry for the complications; you can always email me at betty_uyeda@hotmail.com, and I can then post a blog for you.

I truly welcome your participation to this 21st century method to document the social culture of the Asian American dance experience.

The Scoop on Musician Dane Matsumura

2009-12-01T11:48:00.000-08:00

Dane Matsumura/ bass and Peter Fong/ drums at Blarney's Castle 1970

Peter Fong and me at Gardena YMCA 1972

Dane Matsumura has been an accomplished musician and an integral part of the Asian American music and dance scene. Dane wrote to me:

I have pics of that dated 1970 at Gazzarri's. I had all of these pics already scanned. I've been trying to preserve my old shoe box full of band pics. I have a bunch of these pics on myspace.com/danematsumura
Yes, I started the Paul's Kitchen thing with my band "LOCAL MOJO". It sure was a blast. I also play and handle the business for the band "Music Co".

Dane also sent to me the following bio:

Dane Matsumura was 13 years old when he began playing the electric bass guitar. After high school he was on the road for 2 years with a nightclub cover band that performed all over the Western United States and Canada. In 1978 he joined the Asian American band "Hiroshima" and played on their first two albums titled, “Hiroshima” and “Odori.” In 1981, he received a Grammy nomination for “Best R & B Instrumental Performance” as one of the co-writers of “Winds of Change” from Hiroshima’s second album. He performed and toured with Hiroshima until 1982. He has produced 3 CD’s for Crane Productions: Dane Matsumura & Friends, The Music Co. – “Just like ol' times”, and The Music Co. LIVE! He resides in Gardena, CA and is a freelance bassist.

The Music Company is the culmination of Japanese American musicians who grew up together in the 1960’s and 70’s from various LA bands of that era: Randy Yoshimoto (drums/ vocals), A Long time Comin’ & Free Flight; Dennis Yokotake (keyboards), Easy Living; Dane Matsumura (bass) Beaudry Express; Mariko Nishizu (vocals), Free Flight; and Howie Hiyoshida (vocals) from A Long Time Comin’.

In 1982, Randy Yoshimoto and Dennis Yokotake formed The Music Company. Dane Matsumura was soon asked to sit in on electric bass and
for the next decade, this trio performed at nearly a thousand wedding receptions, private parties, and community functions. Long-time friends Mariko Nishizu and Howie Hiyoshida have been adding their vocal talents to the band ever since 1992.

The Music Co. has recorded 2 CD’s titled “Just Like Ol’ Times” and
“MUSIC CO. LIVE!” produced by Crane Productions. Their “old school” musical style continues to be a favorite at weddings, dances, private parties, and many special community events.

Photo and Other Images Submitted by Dane Matsumura

2009-12-01T11:38:00.000-08:00

Year: 1970
Beaudry Express at Blarney's Castle 1970
L-R - Marty Tatsumi (Guitar), Dane Matsumura (Bass), Peter Fong (Drums), Norman Quon (Guitar), Grayson Izumi (Organ). Beaudry Express used to rehearse at Norman Quon's house on Beaudry right outside of Chinatown.

Dance Bids

Dance Organizers

2009-11-30T16:50:00.000-08:00

Betty here blogging:
I remember the first dance I attended, at the Mary Knoll school (church?) in Little Tokyo around 1973 or 1974, when I was still in high school.

I remember that Tom Collins was a drink to ask for - it was a novelty to be old enough to have the freedom to order an alcoholic drink if I chose to. I never had exposure to drugs or chemical abuse. I was never confronted with a drug culture at these dances. It was very innocent. I remember the excitement of the bands, the music, the guys and girls, but the parties were never complete for me without sticking around afterwards to see the cars cruising, challenging each other, burning a bit of tire, sometimes seeing the cops arrive and the crowds dissapate.

I remember a carnival in J-Town - there were so many hot cars, even some Asian guys with low-riders, I heard they came out from Arizona to cruise.

Remember the name George Tong? He used to thrown dances...where is he now?

How about the lovely Claudia Mark? She threw many New Year's Eve parties in the 1990s...what is she doing these days?

General Lee's in Chinatown, many events and New Year's Eve parties were done there, too.

Social Clubs from 1950s

2009-11-30T16:05:00.000-08:00

November 20th Email:

Hi Betty.I started a club in 1957, charter president, called the Chanels. It continued through the 70's and quite active in throwing dances at the Aeronatical and Womens' club and other venues I can't even remember. I can ask some friends if they remember..

Q: Was the club chanels a mostly asian american group?

November 21st Email:
A: The club was primarily Asian and then later excepted non Asians. I can't remember the particulars.

November 30th Email

2009-11-30T15:46:00.000-08:00

November 30th Email:

Here's the youtube video- you'll enjoy it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nukJYZT1SCw [Visual Communications fundraiser held November 7, 2009 "Dance the Night Away 2009]

dances were also at Lococo's, La Mirada Country Club, Park View, Elk's Club, Jimmy's.

Other bands were Free Flight, Windfield Summit, Beaudry Express

And lastly the music...including Summer Sun, If you were there you'd know (Ace Spectrum), Pretty World (Sergio Mendez), Nobody Loves You (Classics 4).

November 29th Email

2009-11-30T15:43:00.000-08:00

November 29th Email:

I think on Tues. nights at Gung Hays, they had the live bands i.e. Carry On, Free Flight and (Prism)?. "Soul" music was the order of the day. There were alot of dances held at hotels near LAX too. One time a very large Asian dance was held at the LA Convention center in the late 70's. I think in the eighties the place to hang out was either at a club called "Down Under" in Century City? and some other places down in Redondo and Hermosa Beach.

The carnival scene usually started with Chinese new year as the first one of the year in LA's Chinatown. Then the Cherry Blossom Festival in Monterey Park followed. Then came the Crenshaw carnival, then the Obon festival in J town and finally the Nisei week culminating the end of summer. In between those there were a few small carnivals, one down in Gardena on 166th st and one time there was one out in the San Fernando Valley. All were sponsored by Churches.

Cruising the carnivals was the norm during and after each one. Street racing inevitably followed especially after Nisei week ending up on Stadium Way. Many people specifically prepared their cars for Nisei week to show off after the carnival as they cruised back and forth on San Pedro Street.

Street racing usually occurred Tues., Fri and Sat. nights either on Stadium Way or in Torrance meeting at the Denny's on 190th and Western. There were usually rivals from different parts of the city. They were known as the West Siders who were always rowdy and looking for a fight and the East Siders who were thought to have the rich parents who bought their kids their cars and parts. Then there were the ones from the the South Bay known as the Gardena Boys. IN LA's Chinatown, there was a rowdy group known as the Homeboys.

For some of us on Weds nights, we went to cruise Van Nuys Blvd and then after head up to Mulholland Drive to race on the "hill". On a Friday or Sat. night, we would sometimes race on the hill too if there was no racing on Stadium way.
Nobody I knew cruised Whittier Blvd since that was all for lowriders and nobody wanted to be associated with that culture.

Here's another Hawaiian band performing an excellent rendition of Summer Sun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apwegd8SgB4&feature=channel

On this link, they also perform an excellent rendition of "You're still a young man" by Tower of Power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvbc5Ayth-o&feature=channel

November 28th Email

2009-11-30T15:42:00.000-08:00

November 28th Email:

There were some other clubs and dance places... Redondo Beach- Lahani's..The owner was Bobby..something...I heard he recently passed away. A restaurant in Gardena on Western Ave that had dance parties - Baby Lion? Hilton at Figueroa and 7thBiltmore Hotel. John Kim, used to be a club promoter.. Places to eat...Spikes in San Gabriel...Dennys...Western and 8th..Vermont and Wilshire...101 and VignesIHOP- 6th and Vermont...Sambos across the streetWon Kok in Chinatown Atomic Cafe...Mitsuru Cafe...Suehiro Cafe Oiwake the birthplace of Karaoke in LA... From the 60s I have a ton of things on the Asian American experience I will write to you soon...It will take a while...From the 60's elementary school to HS in the 70's...Being a true minority, one of three Asians in elemantary school , to having identity in HS because of these places and activites. Thank you for taking interest in this...I don;t have many photos or written material to give, but a lot of memories...

November 24th Email - Dances in the 1960s

2009-11-30T15:36:00.000-08:00

November 24th Email:

This is a great project to capture the times and the activity of the Asian American experience. You're focusing on the 70s but I think they are leaving out a big group, those that went to these dances in the 60s. I grew up in the 60s and my friends older brothers went to these dances at the Roger Young Auditorium and Parkview Women's club. They created clubs to host these dances. They used to haunt old record stores for the 45s of great music. They were car enthusiasts. They worked at gas stations and worked on their own cars. One thing that stands out in my mind during this period is the integration of the Japanese American and Chinese Americans and probably Korean Americans. Kids came from all over LA to these dances. Prior to this, our parents were probably not so open to the notion their kids were mixing from all the political stuff from the 30s-50s. Today we have many mixed Asian families. Anyhow, I got excited about your project and will pass along the message to those friends who were part of this scene. I wish you success and thank you for the doing this. ---------(Gardena, class of 66)

November 24th Email:

While I was not part of the Asian American Dance Scene of the 1970s, eventhough I should have been...

I was born in and grew up in LA Chinatown, went to Castelar School,Nightingale Jr. High, Belmont High (1971), and UCLA (1974), so I am veryinterested in documenting the history of Asian Americans in LosAngeles/Southern California. Thank you, -----Laguna Niguel, CA

My Inquiry Gets Passed Along

2009-11-30T15:33:00.000-08:00

November 20th Email:

I received this email from a friend, -----. It brought back lots of
memories of late nights, dancing, drinking and the 2:00AM breakfast

November 21st Email:

Hello, my name is ----------- and I met ------------- at a La Mirada dance put on by LT PRO (Little Toykyo people's rights organization) back in the 70's and we just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary!

More Email Responses on November 23rd

2009-11-30T15:29:00.000-08:00

November 23rd Email:

I attended dances at the Rodger Young Auditorium. These dances were in a way, a gathering point for Asians from around the area. During those years, 1968 & 1969, everyone had a tendency to run with his or her own crowd, which in most cases did not include individuals from other schools. however, these dances drew from all around the city. I remember distinctly, listening to the band play, "More Today Than Yesterday" by the Spiral Staircase, and the most popular song of the time, "In A Gadda Da Vida" by Iron Butterfly. Unfortunately, I also remember some fights, although rare. You know, at that time, the dances were probably one of the few places where Asian kids could cut loose so to speak. In an environment where being "conservative" was considered the norm, almost required, I remember seeing the girls "dressed to kill" and the guys sporting all of the hairdo's that had to be held in place by hairspray. I remember that the Hispanic kids were lowering their cars and the Asian kids were raising theirs. If you owned a nice "ride" it was par for the course to be seen arriving at the dance. Good memories!

November 23rd Email:

I use to belong to the band Thee Prophets in the 70's and presently in the group Carry On. We have many contacts who have valuable information and pictures from " those days". I will ask them to contact you with what ever information they have. Some people even have the actual entrance bids to the dances. THe only thing I can offer personally is my wonderful memories of that era and the music that drove the asian dance experience.

November 23rd Email and Q/A Follow-up

2009-11-30T15:19:00.000-08:00

November 23rd Email:
We actually set up a dance at Rodger Youngs back in 1971-72 (not sure exactly) and we did something unique. We set up 2 stages and ran 2 sets between 2 bands: Winfield Summit and Hiroshima. We had Winfield Summit play at on end of the hall then Hiroshima played at the other end. I can’t remember if Hiroshima played twice or just once during the second set. I remember they charged us $ 500.00/hr. It was packed is all I remember and people that I had never seen before showed up. They came from different areas of So Cal. Some from Van Nuys and other remote areas.

I had my first taste of alcohol there. I went with my friend ---- (I think)and we sat in the security guys office where I think he also resided and he gave us full glasses of Scotch. It tasted horrible and I think I got sick later that night. I went that night to see the Younghearts (African - American group). They were really popular those days and it was a mixed crowd but the majority were asians.

Another place we used to go.......Japanese Deer park in Orange County...Anaheim I think. It was far but a great atmosphere. I think it was outdoor and not in an auditorium.

There was also another place in West LA that had a lot of dances too but I can’t recall where it was or the name of the hall.

People used to sell discounted bids (admission tickets) prior to the event and they would have flyers printed and distributed. We recruited strangers to sell for us and we let them in free for their efforts. It was also an easy way to meet people and get their phone numbers. It was a crazy time but fun at the same time. Yes...gas prices were reasonable those days and it didn’t matter how far you drove or where you landed. Even the house parties were insane...we would always call people to find out where the parties were at and they would always seem to know...how? I think that it was like their job to find out where the parties or events would be happening for that upcoming weekend. We would soemtimes just show up at parties uninviited and have just a great time meeting people. The people were very different depending upon where the party was at. The West LA parties were different ..... lots of black leather jackets and "attitudes" seemed like they were always looking to have a fight or something...looking for trouble I guess. We were guys from the Eastside and they knew it instantly but if you didn’t stare back or act stupid they left you alone. One party we went to in West LA someplace was just jam packed!! It was like wall-to-wall people...all standing....truly SRO. As you entered the room you couldn’t help but rub up against someone to get to the other side of the room. So many people that it spilled outside and the outside garage area was also packed. I guess it was someone’s parents house. We crashed it so we had no idea who was throwing the party.

It was a lot of fun but a bit crazy. We were lucky to make it out intact with no problems

November 29th Email Responses to Betty's Q/A:
Q: I really enjoyed your recollections: were you one of the dance organizers? If so, how did you fall into doing this? besides the money - did you sense a social need to bring people together? A: Yes but honestly we did this for fun.

Q: When you did the set-up for Hiroshima and Winfield summit - were the 2 bands new to the scene, or already playing and had notoriety? A: Hiroshima was popular within the inner circles. I think they were charging $ 500.00/hr. so they were a bit pricy for our us but the primary draw. Winfield Summit already had a following.

Q: Were dances held at the Japanese Deer Park? With similar bands playing?
A: Yes, same setup but different crowd. I think a lot of the people were from the Orange County area. It was a great place ....open stage...outdoors...

November 23rd Email

2009-11-30T15:14:00.000-08:00

November 23rd Email:
I mentioned it to one of the people and he brought up Blarney’s Castle; and I remembered Parkview Women’s Club in the Crenshaw area but I don’t know if they still hosted dances in the 70s. I had to ask about Surfrider in Santa Monica—couldn’t remember the name. I just remember it was a smaller venue and it would get so crowded people would go outside to cool off and the window-walls were all steamed up.
I don’t remember going to the Elks Club at MacArthur Park, though....

Carry On and Somethin’ Else were the best 2 bands at the time although others were around and some later ones. Chozen Few, Free Flight... ?? There’s a band nowadays called Music Machine I think and the members are made up of musicians/singers from some of those other bands put together.
They just played a fundraiser for Visual Communications...

November 22nd Email- Some LA History

2009-11-30T15:06:00.000-08:00

November 22nd Email:
I would take a moment to send along something not directly related to your original research on Asian dances and social activities, however, I thought it appropriate to someone who works with archival information concerning Los Angeles.

By way of introduction, my name is --------. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1970

Your mention of the Rodger Young Auditorium brought back many memories. While this story is not directly related to the dance scene, it is certainly related to the history of many families now spread throughout the United States.

In 1947, soldiers and their families, and many displaced Japanese families were returning to California following the war. At that time, housing was scarce and many landlords were engaging in rent gouging. The local government was struggling with the homeless veterans and decided to create veteran housing projects around the city. The largest and most unique was called The Rodger Young Village and was located in what now is the LA Zoo parking lot. This village consisted of 750 Quonset huts divided down the center and built to house 2 families. Somewhere between 4500 - 6000 people from all races created a small city unto themselves....my family included. There were many Japanese families living there because one of the family had served in the armed forces. The kids attended LeConte Jr. High, and John Marshall High. Glendale which was just across Riverside Drive was still segregated and would not accept minority students. Long story short, this particular time in Los Angeles history is significant and the history of it is dying with the passing of each former resident. My first home was one of those Quonset huts and I have vowed to keep the memory alive. Just thought I would pass along this information for thought.

Thank you kindly,

November 22nd Email

2009-11-30T15:04:00.000-08:00

November 22nd Email:
Hi Betty, I had an old bid I had saved from the 70's @ Parkview Women's Club next to Mac Arthur Park, but I think it's long gone....

I was one of the younger ones at the time, but I also remember Roger Young Auditorium, Papa Lion, Surfrider, and Baby Lion...Yoko's Sushi @ Holiday Bowl after dances, Googies in Monterey Park, but I'm terrible about details, etc. I'll forward to other's who might remember better.

Also, there were Jr. YBA conferences that had a BIG dance on the last day - those were great!

November 21st Email- More!!

2009-11-30T14:59:00.000-08:00

November 21st Email:
Do you remember the song “Summer Sun” recorded by the group Jamestown Massacre? Remember it being played often at dances?
Yes, I remember this song well, this was one of my favorites.

What were the names of the bands? Who were the members? Where are they today?
Man, I can't remember any of the bands names, even that big one that's still playing today. I know you know who they are. I even had a friend that played in one of the bands, but I can't remember his name or the bands. : (

Where did you go to a dance? Rodger Young's, Elks Club were the 2 major places I went. Gung Hay was another on occasion.

What music do you remember hearing and dancing to?
Suavecito (Malo), Pickup the Pieces, Cut The Cake (AWB), Together (Tierra), to name a few

Who were the organizers of the dances?
Not sure about this.

Did you go cruising, or enjoy being a spectator?
I was a cruiser in my 1972 Datsun 510 and a spectator at times. I remember there was a lowered yellow Chevy El Camino that use to cruise all the time at dances, I loved that truck. I wanted an El Camino for the longest time. For some reason, I think the owners name was Lance, I could be mistaken.

What other experiences did you have, minor, inconsequential, or major?
- I remember at Rodger Young's, in the middle of the dance, everyone was ushered out of the building and into the parking lot. There was a police helicopter overhead shining its spot light down on the crowd. The details are a bit fuzzy now, but I think it was because there was a guy with a knife or because a guy threw a chair at a large mirror or glass framed picture on the wall and broke the glass. It could have been something else too, like I said, a bit fuzzy.

- I remember Hiroshima came to play at John Marshall's auditorium when I was in high school. I had my little tape recorder with me and taped them as they played. Every so often I think about where that cassette might be (I don't throw much of my stuff away, so it's probably somewhere). From what I remember, there music was more radical (for lack of a better word), than it is today. I wish I could find that tape.

- At the Elks Club on 6th(?) I remember seeing a couple people using an ice cube to re-wet their hand stamp so they could transfer it to someone else's hand, so they didn't have to pay to get into the dance.

- After dances we use to go to eat and hang out at various places. Maggo's (?), Holiday Bowl in Crenshaw...

November 21st Emails

2009-11-30T14:56:00.000-08:00

November 21st Email:
Sure do remember the dances. It's where we spent most of our Saturday nights. Surfriders, Rodger Young, Orange County's Deer Park, Parkview.

November 21st Email:
Good luck on this project, believe it’s worthy. I talk about this time all the time with members of the Grateful Crane Ensemble; we just did our Nihonmachi show last Sunday at JAT. It’s all about JA history. As one of the elder members, I talk with wistfulness about those days, drunken guys fighting, girls in minis, the music and the fun, etc. Scott Nagatani, pianist, played at some, though he’s a tad younger. Our drummer is Danny Yamamoto of Hiroshima.

November 21st Email:
I received this e-mail about the 70's dances. I was probably considered a fixture at these dances since I used to go to all of them. My first dance was at Roger Youngs in 1969 and have attended dances until the early 80's at the Jockey Club. Back in 2004 before the return of Carry On, I made a compilation of music during these era and gave Kenny Ito copies, to validate these songs before he started the band back up and played at the Veteran's Hall in 2004.

Anyway, I enjoyed the music and dancing back in those days and picking up chicks as well. My music is based on the songs that were played at these venues. Roger Young, Elks Building, La Mirada, etc. I still have alot of memories of these venues and I use to drive a muscle car as well. Gardena was non for GM's and Crenshaw was known for Mopar and LA was known for GM and Fords. Let me know how I can contribute my memories.

I remebered most of the bands and songs, but didn't really know the members. I used to to the band members in the band Dynasty which they didn't last too long and Carry On played at my wedding in 1984 with Darrell.

November 20th Emails

2009-11-30T14:50:00.000-08:00

November 20th Email:
At UCLA, Chinese club had their dances up at the rec center near the pools.

November 20th Email:
OMG, I do remember those dances! But besides Gung Hay and other JA "clubs" in Crenshaw and Gardena areas, we also dance in Little Tokyo! I remember there was a place on the second or 3rd floor of that row of buildings on 1st Street above all the shops and restaurants but forgot the name. We also danced at Tokyo Kaikan??? Anyone remember those????

After having my memories jolted by Jenny Cho's Chinatown book, this request is really getting me thinking back!

We also went to some Asian dance clubs along Wilshire Blvd too.

November 20th Email:
Wow, it does bring back memories...definitely of Gung Ha, and Chrenshaw Square--was there something in there that we used to go to--oh, the bowling alley. Yes, there was something upstairs on 1st street :). Dances at UCLA; I remember bringing Hiroshima to the dorms for a dance although I don't remember who gave me their name--very vivid memory of them playing in the cafeteria and no could dance to their music but we sat there in awe cuz we had a "feeling" they would or could be destined for greatness :) ...of course Carry On, but there was another popular band, yes?

Asian American Dance Scene in the 1970s

2009-11-30T14:33:00.000-08:00

On November 19th I sent out an email blast seeking out information and recollections of the 1970s Asian American dance scene in Los Angeles, the period of time when I attended public dances at places like the Rodger Young Auditorium and the Elks Club at MacArthur Park, listening to bands like Carry On, Free Flight and Winfield Summit and into the early 1980s at LaMirada Country Club, before DJs and disco completely edged out the live sound.

Collecting the stories is important because it was “our” time as Asian Americans. The experiences, to my knowledge, have not been documented before. The decade of the 1970s was a period in the awakening of Asian pride following the Civil Rights movement, and minority groups were instilled with self-esteem in ethnic identity, as Chicanos and Blacks were experiencing also.

The home-grown band, Hiroshima, has been highly successful in their unique stature as the Asian American group to garner radio play of their music. But their early days were with us, their audience, listening to them play the standards of the day from Earth, Wind and Fire, Steely Dan, Average White Band and Chicago songs, just as we listened and danced to the popular group, Carry On.

I also recall the car culture associated with the dances – cruising took place before, during and after the parties – even heading to places like Stadium Way near Dodger Stadium in the late night to watch modified mini-cars street race. Those years, when gas was inexpensive, kept the streets busy on cruise nights along Van Nuys Boulevard, Whittier Boulevard, and wherever there was an Asian dance or carnival, whether it was held in Little Tokyo or across town at the Buddhist Church behind Crenshaw Boulevard. The participants in the 1970s did not invent the pastime but were continuing the youthful rites of cruising.

The following posts are the responses I received following my email blast. Organized by date of response, I have kept them anonymous to respect the privacy of the responders.