The Ambertones, l-r (I'm not 100% positive about these attributions): Charlie Muñoz (on drums), Jimmy Alvarez (above), Mike Sandoval, Eddie Delgado, Danny Medina, unidentified sax, and Henry Hernande.
| The Ambertones were part of Los Angeles' fabled East Side scene along with dozens of legendary bands like Thee Midniters, the Premiers, the Romancers and Cannibal and the Head Hunters. Like these bands the could play in several styles, from garage to straight soul to r&b shouters and ballads.
Members included Charlie Muñoz vocals, Henry Hernandez guitar, Mike Sandoval guitar , Danny Medina on keyboards, Eddie Delgado on bass, and Jimmy Alvarez drums. Frank Vasquez might have been manager for the band. |
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| They began releasing records in 1963, with Charlena/ Bandido on the GNP/Crescendo label. Next came two 45s on the Dottie label, of which I'm featuring the b-side of the second, If I Do, a great garage original by Eddie Delgado from October of '65. The label pictured here is actually the second issue, released no earlier than 1969, probably because of interest in the ballad, I Need Someone. The sound of the organ, vocals and guitar solo make "If I Do" my personal favorite of their records.
Their next two releases were on Rayjack. Clap Your Hands is a great party record, and Cruise is a riff on Thee Midniter's Whittier Blvd. It's interesting how the band would record with horns, though they're not seen in the photos or listed in the line-ups of the members. This 45 was also issued on the Newman label, pictured here, in 1966. Both of these were written by Leonard Mamola, who also produced all their records except their first. I Can Only Give You Everything is another of their garage recordings, it too was issued on a second label, Treasure Chest. |
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| In 1967 they signed with White Whale for two 45s in a soul style, giving them probably the best nationwide exposure of their career. "Ninety-Nine and a Half" is a fine cover of the Wilson Pickett hit, with a Sam and Dave song on the flip, You Don't Know Like I Know. | |
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| The Ambertones - If I Do The Ambertones - Clap Your Hands The Ambertones - Cruise The Ambertones - I Can Only Give You Everything The Ambertones - Ninety Nine and a Half  Source: Photos from collection of Victor B. and from Mark Guerrero's excellent site markguerrero.net. Leader of Mark & the Escorts of the classic "Get Your Baby," Mr. Guerrero has also written extensively about Los Angeles music, including articles on the Romancers, The Premiers and the Blendells. I highly recommend setting aside a few hours to look through his site. |
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The Ambertones: top center: Henry Hernande
middle row, l-r: Jimmy Alvarez, Eddie Delgado, unidentified, and Mike Sandoval
bottom row l-r: Charlie Muñoz and Danny Medina
ambertones
The piano and organ player in the photos are of Henry Sarnoff, brother of Ron Figeroa of Thee Midniters. Henry joined the Ambertones in 1966. He was a graduate of Salesian High School and was with the Ambertones until 1968 at which point he was called to active duty in the U.S. Navy for two years.