PHOTO GALLERY - BANDS AND ARTISTS

THE ROYAL JESTERS

( Contributed by Sondra & Tony )

Mike Lowell writes: Sondra and Tony reminded me just how big a band this was in the SA area for many years. Hailing from the west side, they were a mainstay in the area and around Texas. I seem to remember a radio song or two as well. Unfortunately I don't know a great deal about them. Maybe others can help expand on them.

Here's an old picture of the Royal Jesters,check out Jack Barber second from right. _John Colvin Tony Pena writes: "From what I remember, from left to right : Ignacio (Pache) Vega on guitar / Henry Hernandez- vocals / Louie Escalante- vocals / Jerry Aguirre- trumpet and vocals / Manuel (Bones) Aragon - on drums / Jack Barber- on Bass / And on trombone can't make out the face or body

(Contributed by Sherry A) Sherry writes: "Henry Hernandez,Lawson,Leaders of the band since 1958 till 70s. Bones was the drummer. Though hundreds of various musicians played with the band thru out their era, the best band was when Henry, Jack (from the Commands) and Eddie (from the Casino Royale) were the front men lead singers. Eddie, who at 16 at the time, from Burbank High School was the youngest of the band , who could belt out any Top 40 song at the time,so all the girls in town kept him busy and a huge following of the band ensued. Naturally when you have the caliber of talent the Royal Jesters attracted, it is to no surprise the band would continue to have a high turnover rate."

(Contributed by Tony Pena) TP writes: "I also played with the Royal Jesters during the last year in high school at JFK. Some of the members there while I played were Pache (guitar), Chale (bass), Manuel "Bones" Aragon (drums) Jerry Aguirre (trumpet & vocals), Luvine Elias (organ), Victor (trumpet), Alex Hernandez (sax) and of course Henry Hernandez, Oscar Lawson and Louis Escalante on vocals. I mainly remember playing at the Patio Andaluz on the corner of Commerce and Brazos seemed like every Saturday. They were the main band in the west side during that time."

Photo Contributed by John Colvin