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.

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.

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

"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

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

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

Hermosa Beach at 22nd Street

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

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

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

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. "

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