Thee Midniters

Indisputably the greatest Latino rock band of the '60s, Thee Midniters took their inspiration from both the British Invasion sound of the Rolling Stones and the more traditional R&B that they were weaned on in their native Los Angeles. Hugely popular in East Los Angeles, the group, featuring both guitars and horns, had a local hit (and a small national one) with their storming version of "Land of a Thousand Dances" in 1965. Much of their repertoire featured driving, slightly punkish rock/R&B, yet lead singer Willie Garcia also had a heartbreaking delivery on slow and steamy ballads. In the manner of other local phenomenon's like the Rationals (from Detroit), they were equally talented at whipping up a storm with up-tempo numbers and offering smoldering romantic soul tunes. After a few albums and an interesting detour into social consciousness with the single "Chicano Power," the group split in the early '70s, though their legacy is felt in later popular L.A. Latino rock acts like Los Lobos.
By Richie Unterberger

Having virtually never stopped playing, in 2011/today, Thee Midniters feature two original members from the 1965 line-up, Jimmy Espinoza, bandleader and bassist along with Larry Rendon on Saxophone along with a supporting cast of players that are a stage of legendary skill and status. Most have been with the group now for over 35 years. Thee Midniters also feature the heart felt vocalizations of Greg Esparza, the dreamer that has managed to win the hearts of true Midniter fans everywhere. Marking this line-up as the best reincarnation of themselves since the height of their fame in 1965. As the saying goes in East L.A., the old guard musicantes are saying, "We got good reports on you"!