PHOTO GALLERY - BANDS AND ARTISTS

SUGARJAMMER - (Contributed by Gary Botello) GB writes: "Sugarjammer later played as the house band at "The Hypothesis" (a gay bar on Broadway), and also at the "Bwana Dik" on Sunday nights. Many great musicians passed through this band including Tony Pena, Danny Martinez (bass), Mike Genero, Chris Alaniz, "Peabody" (drums), Ralph Cortez (sang with the Platters & First Light), Ambrose Fernandez (sang with Apocalypse),Tom Simulio, "Yolanda", & Jay Jay Morales (all vocalists), and Richard Chavez (keyboards). Yolanda could sing soul, blues, and pop with the best of them! We were the house band at a little Southside dive called "Grand Central Station" on South Flores Street. Lots of good & crazy times were had there!"

L to R: Henry Lee Parrilla - keys & vocals / Tony Pena - bass & vocals / Edna Rodarte - Vocals / Richard "Peabody" Hernandez - Drums / Ralph Cortez - Vocals & Percussion / Gilbert Velasquez - Guitar & Vocals _ member info by Tony Pena

(Contributed by Tony Pena) JP writes: "My name is Tony Pena (bass) and really enjoyed playing with Yolanda, Chris, Gary and Richard at the Grand Central Station. The band was definitely a kick ass band and Yolanda could sing her ass off. Best natural singer I’ve ever heard. Later on I played with Ralph Cortez, Henry Lee Parrilla, Gilbert Velasquez and Richard “Peabody” Hernandez. Played at the Heaven Discotheque and did a couple of USO tours on the east coast; Thule, Greenland; the Azores; Germany; and Italy. This band was very versatile and did Steely Dan, Robin Trower, Eagles, Santana, Sly & the family stone and others. Had a blast, thank you guys. I believe the Heaven club you mention is the one that was on Fresno, down the street from Edison High School. Played there with Sugarjammer (Henry Lee on keyboards, Ralph Cortez on vocals, Gilbert Velazquez guitar, Peabody drums and myself on bass). After this stint we went on tour for the USO. Had some wonderful times there during the disco era. As a matter of fact we started playing here after doing some time at the Hypothesis, where we got a job after trying out for various clubs and hotels around town. It was during the disco era and every club manager wanted a sound system instead of a band and it was tough getting hired anywhere."

L to R: Gilbert Velasquez - Guitar, Voc / Ralph Cortez Voc, percussion / Edna Rodarte -Voc / Peabody - Drums / Tony Pena - Bass,Voc / Henry Lee Parrilla - Keys, Voc

(Contriubted by Richard 'Peabody' Hernandez) RH writes: "here was a group playing at the "Hypothesis" called SugarJammer, (Ralph Cortez / vocals & percussion, Ambrose Fernandez / vocals, Gary Botello / guitar, Tony Pena / bass, & someone on drums I don't remember). It was a cool place to play except for watching beautiful chicks kissing on each other, but we could play what we wanted, & they truly appreciated it. I think it had been a strip club, because it had a backstage w/dressing rooms & it's own entrance. But this was in the heat of disco, & most clubs were starting to change their attitudes about booking bands for extended gigs. The group changed direction somewhat, some cats left. Gary was replaced by George Gonzales/guitar & most of the gigs turned out to be Randolph, Ft. Sam, Lackland, Kelly NCO clubs. Which would later turn out to be a blessing in disguise. We were playing at the "Bwana Dik" when we Gilbert Velasquez / guitar joinged the group. (I loved those waitresses!) That summer a cat by name of Abel Cortinas opened a club called "Heaven Discotheque" on Blanco Rd. It was probably the only club done in blue instead of red & he was packing them in. He offered us his Tuesday's since it was his slowest night, so we said OK but we won't go on until 10pm & we'll only do two 1 hour & a half sets. Tuesday's became Tues & Wed., which became Tues, Wed, Thurs & when he realized he was making more money during the week than on his weekends, he gave us Fri & Sat. So to my knowledge, we were one of the few groups working 5 days a week, 10 till 2. He built a stage, added lights & his disco booth became our sound booth. Life was good!"

The photos I'm sending are of a Battle of the Bands gig at Sunken Gardens, had to have been the summer of '78. A cool shot from behind, from left to right, Gilbert Velasquez / guitar, Ralph Cortez / vocals, me, Tony Pena/bass, Henry Rivas / sax, Rene Garcia / trumpet/bone

(Contributed by Tony Pena) TP writes: "I also played with the Platters for a while with Henry, Gene, Harold and Monroe. Got to travel overseas to England, Italy, Germany and even South Africa. Just another note on the people: Not sure what happened to Edna. Ralph Cortez studied and became a teacher and counselor at local high schools and is still singing. Peabody became a photographer in Houston and I believe still playing. Henry Lee Parrilla lived in Atlanta and England for a while and returned to SA recently. He and Ralph are currently playing at the Zen on Houston st. Gilbert Velasquez became a prominent record producer working with the likes of Mazz, Ram Herrera, Jay Perez, Shelly Lares, etc. You can find his website at Velasquezmusic.com ."

A shot of Me (drums), Tony Pena on bass, Henry Rivas on sax & Rene Garcia on trumpet /trombone

BELOW: The Platters shown with the backing band featuring some of San Antonio's own.

Peabody writes: As for the photo of us with The Platters...that version was from left to right...Gene Williams, Harold Howard, Chili Lewis, Lolitz Fonza & Monroe Powell. The bass player in that photo is Ruben Pina.

Tony Pena writes: Backing Band members in front - L to R: Richard "Peabody" Hernandez - drums, Ruben Pina - bass , Henry Lee Parrilla - keys.

Photos contributed by Richard "Peabody" Hernandez