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!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Monday, December 6, 2010
Tennis Connection's Holiday Party December 11, 2010
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.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The 70's Street Machine
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.
Friday, March 12, 2010
And Now, Rickie Miyake, Former Band Member of Easy Livin'
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
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
Thursday, March 4, 2010
"Dynasty" to Perform at Oldies Dance - April 17, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Breakfast at Tak's - Crenshaw Square
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
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
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Comment from Ron - a Tribute to Loco Mojo
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
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
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