Soul group formed and managed by James West. The group originated in the Edmondson Village area of Edmondson Avenue and Bentalou Street. ‘West,’ an older gentleman who saw great musical potential in the boys, actively recruited members, purchased equipment, stage clothes, and transportation. The members of the group changed over the years.
The Mascaleros lineup featured Gary (lead guitar), Ray (bass), Timmy Hall (organ), Herb (drums) Ulysses (bongos), Stanley (sax), Charles Smith (trombone), ‘Doc’ Michael Bond (trumpet), and RG.
Missing from the photo is Ulysses (bongos). Photo courtesy of Larry Jackson
Herb was later replaced with ‘Skinny.’ Larry McCoy (sax) joined the group around 1970. Darnell McManus (tenor sax), and Larry Dennis (guitar ex-Lamonts) also played for the group. The Mascalaros were a rhythm and brass section providing music first for the Matadors vocal group, who were later replaced with the Chryslers.
During the early days of the group, most of the Mascalaros members attended school, West would pick them up three nights a week for practice. They were not allowed to leave practice until getting the song(s) right. Then he would take them all back home. No drinking, drugs or bad behavior were tolerated.
After polishing their skills, the Mascaleros found work every Friday and Saturday. They played the Met Theater, Wilson’s, Alcazar, Embassy Room, Black Jack, Club Venus, Winchester Armory, Elk’s Clubs, Lion’s Clubs, K of C halls, Operation Champ block parties, benefits for handicapped kids at Bainbridge, and monthly trips to Fort Bragg (N. Carolina)…
Highlights of the group include a performance at the Decency Rally at a filled to capacity Memorial Stadium in June 1969. A race riot erupted in the city of Cambridge while the band was performing at the Civic Center. They were asked to continue playing in order to keep the crowd from venturing outside into the melee. When they finished playing the disturbance had been settled down. The Mascalaros opened for Otis Redding at the Rhapsody, James Brown at the Civic Center, Manhattans at the Carousel, and the Dells at Club Venus.
Although the group had no record releases, they made demos of their original songs “Heartbreak Avenue” and “Let Me Be Yours.”
West also managed local groups the Camaros, Tamlas, and Matadors.
