Doo-wop harmonies, lovelorn lyrics and soulful horns came together to form a fresh sound in the early ‘60s to mid ‘70s on San Antonio’s west side. Described by Fresh Air as being “among the least-known music scenes ever to thrive in America,” the sound was truly multiracial and multicultural.
This afternoon on The Source, we're remembering the sounds of San Antonio's West Side. Fresh Air's rock critic Ed Ward joins us along with--Doug Sahm, documentarian Joe Nick Patoski, and Jason Longoria, a local music promoter and DJ pushing the sound of San Antonio's west side today.
Tune in to KSTX 89.1 FM, and call in with your memories starting at 3 p.m. Our number is 210-614-8980.
Here’s five tunes to get you going:
1. Doug Sahm - "Why Why Why" (Westside sound classic)
2. Sonny Ace & the Twisters - "Fever" (Little Willie John r&b cover done with a Chicano twist)
3. Little Henry & the Laveers - "Whip It On Me" (Jessie Hill cover)
4. Sunny & the Sunliners - "Smile Now, Cry Later" (Northern soul crossover written by Sunny Ozuna)
5. Henry & the Kasuals - "Workout" ('60s mod instrumental)
