07/11/2026
Steven Chavez here with information about a book that I am publishing titled, “The East Los Angeles Music Experience”. The book is near completion and is dedicated to the music and social scene in ELA, during the years 1960 to 1969. We will feature the bands and the Eastside Sound music that emanated from the Boyle Heights District and surrounding East Los Angeles area. It will feature many photos of the bands; a good collection of dance announcements and flyers; several colorful band business cards; and historic information about the concerts and music of that time.
The Salesian Rock & Roll Shows Commemorative presentation will also be featured in The East Los Angeles Music Experience book. The future publication will include information about these events and more! This is a written account and a production revue with information about the five recorded concerts, and the later production of Five long-playing vinyl record albums.
Bishop Mora Salesian is a high school in the Boyle Heights district, just East of Downtown Los Angeles, CA. The school was built in 1958, with the first graduating class in 1964. The school’s Music Director, William A. Taggart with the high school, started to produce concerts at East Los Angeles College auditorium in the nearby City of Monterey Park, in that same year. The auditorium was centrally located, it had a 3000-seat capacity, and it featured two stages. The curtained main stage was stationary, and the other was a hydraulic stage in front of the main stage, which could be raised or lowered during the concert. When the bands finished on the main stage and curtains closed, the next band, who were on the lower level started playing and the stage would rise to stage level and to the cheering audience with hundreds of screaming girls. It added to the excitement, and it helped to keep the music non-stop.
The East Los Angeles Music Experience book documents the concerts on April 19, 1964; October 18, 1964; May 16, 1965; and October 10, 1965, at the auditorium of East Los Angeles City College (ELACC). The Fifth recording is titled “Spring Affair” and featured the high schools Marching and Swing bands. It was recorded and released in 1965.
