Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Frank
I just flashed on something. Remember Frankie Van? He used to be one of the top refs on the West Coast. Wasn't he also a health and nutritionist? Anything you can share with us?

diego,

I remember Frankie Van real well, used to see him ref. all the time in the late 40's, 50's and early 60's, though I never met him, I remember watching a tv show he had, must have been in the late 50's, where he had kids boxing, I remember that we couldn't get any of our kids on the show, he had all this well to do kids boxing on the show.

[kikibalt]

Frankie: tell us about Jackie McCoy. What are your opinions on the big boxing 'name'?

Bennie,

Jackie McCoy was in my opinion a good and decent man, one of the most honest man I met in boxing, as you know he was co-manager with me with Frankie, he never made a deal without me or me without him.

He was a good trainer, when he retired from his boxing career he turn to training and soon had a world champ (Don Jordan) and went on to has 4 more champions, Bennie you would have liked him.

[dagosd2000]

Thanks fellas on the info on Frankie Van. I remember as a kid watching him on TV advertising for a certain bread that had natural grains in it. Didn't he advise celebrities on diet and nutrition also?

I remember Tommy Hart also. I thought the West Coast had good referees. Any info on Hart?

Rick ,I remember that controversial loss by Ramos to Ortiz. I didn't know Billy Conn was the ref. Often those big name fighters weren't good referess. Didn't Dempsey ref a championship fight and have seven rounds even? I forgot the bout. Maybe one of you guys knows.

Scar and Rick
The live Olympic bouts were priceless. Remember when we brought up the topic that those tapes are missing of those fights?I think I have a tape that I ordered from a Website showing Laguna and Mando Ramos. I'm sure it's from a televesed broadcast. It was "boxing/videoclassics.com"

[kikibalt]

My week just got worse for me, yeterday we bury my cousin Jesus, and today I got the news that my sister Rachel who is 2 years older then me and lives in NoCal, was diagnose with inoperable pancreatic cancer.
Its been a rough week to say the least.

[kikibalt]

Thanks fellas on the info on Frankie Van. I remember as a kid watching him on TV advertising for a certain bread that had natural grains in it. Didn't he advise celebrities on diet and nutrition also?

I remember Tommy Hart also. I thought the West Coast had good referees. Any info on Hart?

Rick ,I remember that controversial loss by Ramos to Ortiz. I didn't know Billy Conn was the ref. Often those big name fighters weren't good referess. Didn't Dempsey ref a championship fight and have seven rounds even? I forgot the bout. Maybe one of you guys knows.

Scar and Rick
The live Olympic bouts were priceless. Remember when we brought up the topic that those tapes are missing of those fights?I think I have a tape that I ordered from a Website showing Laguna and Mando Ramos. I'm sure it's from a televesed broadcast. It was "boxing/videoclassics.com"

diego

The Ramos/Laguna fight was not an Olympic tv fight, that fight in 1970 was at the Sports Arena, yes it was promoted by Aileen Eaton, but I don't know if it was televised, I have never seen it on tape, though i seen it live.

[Rick Farris]

Frank
I just flashed on something. Remember Frankie Van? He used to be one of the top refs on the West Coast. Wasn't he also a health and nutritionist? Anything you can share with us?

diego,

I remember Frankie Van real well, used to see him ref. all the time in the late 40's, 50's and early 60's, though I never met him, I remember watching a tv show he had, must have been in the late 50's, where he had kids boxing, I remember that we couldn't get any of our kids on the show, he had all this well to do kids boxing on the show.

Frank, maybe Mr. Van was trying to give the well-to-do boys a chance to escape the perils of prep school? Life can be tough for a preppie.

-Ricardo

[kikibalt]

Frank
I just flashed on something. Remember Frankie Van? He used to be one of the top refs on the West Coast. Wasn't he also a health and nutritionist? Anything you can share with us?

diego,

I remember Frankie Van real well, used to see him ref. all the time in the late 40's, 50's and early 60's, though I never met him, I remember watching a tv show he had, must have been in the late 50's, where he had kids boxing, I remember that we couldn't get any of our kids on the show, he had all this well to do kids boxing on the show.

Frank, maybe Mr. Van was trying to give the well-to-do boys a chance to escape the perils of prep school? Life can be tough for a preppie.

-Ricardo

I don't think so, those were the days when only the white kids could get on tv. remember the Dick Clark show "American Bandstand"? when kids of color cound not get on the show, same thing with Van's show.

[Rick Farris]

Thanks fellas on the info on Frankie Van. I remember as a kid watching him on TV advertising for a certain bread that had natural grains in it. Didn't he advise celebrities on diet and nutrition also?

I remember Tommy Hart also. I thought the West Coast had good referees. Any info on Hart?

Rick ,I remember that controversial loss by Ramos to Ortiz. I didn't know Billy Conn was the ref. Often those big name fighters weren't good referess. Didn't Dempsey ref a championship fight and have seven rounds even? I forgot the bout. Maybe one of you guys knows.

Scar and Rick
The live Olympic bouts were priceless. Remember when we brought up the topic that those tapes are missing of those fights?I think I have a tape that I ordered from a Website showing Laguna and Mando Ramos. I'm sure it's from a televesed broadcast. It was "boxing/videoclassics.com"

DAGOS- You're certainly right about the Olympic fights- PRICELESS!. 'Ya know, I have a couple dozen Olymic fights that I'm having converted from VHS to DVD. Ramos-Crawford 1 & 2, Ramos-Ramos, Rodolfo Gonzalez-Carmona, Mando Muniz, Hedge Lewis, Palomino, Duarte & Davila 1, and others, including the KTLA Ch. 5 "BOXING from the OLYMPIC" theme song, with the show opening with a clip of the Olympic ring, guys rubbing their boxing shoes in the rosin box. Dick Enberg, Mickey Davies, Jim Healy, Tom Harmon & Tom Kelly on the mikes.

I'm in the process of moving at the moment, but will be settled by next month. When I get the DVD's, I'll make copies for you guys.

The footage IS still alive! I'm sure of it, all of it is somewhere. Since all we get is bits and pieces, it might serve us to grab onto anything that pops up. piece meal process, we might acquire I nice little collection of L.A. history.

We are talking public domain on the issue of rights, etc. Just a thought.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

diego,

I remember Frankie Van real well, used to see him ref. all the time in the late 40's, 50's and early 60's, though I never met him, I remember watching a tv show he had, must have been in the late 50's, where he had kids boxing, I remember that we couldn't get any of our kids on the show, he had all this well to do kids boxing on the show.

Frank, maybe Mr. Van was trying to give the well-to-do boys a chance to escape the perils of prep school? Life can be tough for a preppie.

-Ricardo

I don't think so, those were the days when only the white kids could get on tv. remember the Dick Clark show "American Bandstand"? when kids of color cound not get on the show, same thing with Van's show.

Do you know what the favorite saturday TV show was in County Jail a few years back? "Soul Train". I have to admit that I know this for a fact, so, I'd watch it too. One thing was obvious, not a cracker in the barrel.

Go figure?

-Ricardo

[dagosd2000]

My week just got worse for me, yeterday we bury my cousin Jesus, and today I got the news that my sister Rachel who is 2 years older then me and lives in NoCal, was diagnose with inoperable pancreatic cancer.
Its been a rough week to say the least.

Frank
Me and Maria have your sister in our prayers. Dagos

[Rick Farris]

Thanks fellas on the info on Frankie Van. I remember as a kid watching him on TV advertising for a certain bread that had natural grains in it. Didn't he advise celebrities on diet and nutrition also?

I remember Tommy Hart also. I thought the West Coast had good referees. Any info on Hart?

Rick ,I remember that controversial loss by Ramos to Ortiz. I didn't know Billy Conn was the ref. Often those big name fighters weren't good referess. Didn't Dempsey ref a championship fight and have seven rounds even? I forgot the bout. Maybe one of you guys knows.

Scar and Rick
The live Olympic bouts were priceless. Remember when we brought up the topic that those tapes are missing of those fights?I think I have a tape that I ordered from a Website showing Laguna and Mando Ramos. I'm sure it's from a televesed broadcast. It was "boxing/videoclassics.com"

diego

The Ramos/Laguna fight was not an Olympic tv fight, that fight in 1970 was at the Sports Arena, yes it was promoted by Aileen Eaton, but I don't know if it was televised, I have never seen it on tape, though i seen it live.

I remember the fight too, Frank. You're right, it wasn't a thursday night promotion, but one of Aileen's Sports Arena title fights, like the Buchanan-Navarro match the following year. Mando was sliced to ribbons in that one. Later in the year, he'd defeat Sugar Ramos in another blood bath, followed by him flattening Raul Rojas, both at the Olympic.

I know Mando has a copy of the Laguna fight.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

My week just got worse for me, yeterday we bury my cousin Jesus, and today I got the news that my sister Rachel who is 2 years older then me and lives in NoCal, was diagnose with inoperable pancreatic cancer.
Its been a rough week to say the least.

Frank, you are in my prayers as well.

-Rick

[Boxingnut]

My week just got worse for me, yeterday we bury my cousin Jesus, and today I got the news that my sister Rachel who is 2 years older then me and lives in NoCal, was diagnose with inoperable pancreatic cancer.
Its been a rough week to say the least.

Frank, you are in my thoughts and prayers too. Best Wishes.

Rob

[dagosd2000]

I just watched the Mando Ramos/Laguna fight. You're right Frank. It's at the Sports Arena. Mando was in that fight until the cuts got so bad they had to stop it. One hell of a fight.

[dagosd2000]

Third and last call. No one has anything on Lee Ramage?

[kikibalt]

Third and last call. No one has anything on Lee Ramage?

Not me, wayyyy before my time..LOL!!

[kikibalt]

My week just got worse for me, yeterday we bury my cousin Jesus, and today I got the news that my sister Rachel who is 2 years older then me and lives in NoCal, was diagnose with inoperable pancreatic cancer.
Its been a rough week to say the least.

Frank, you are in my thoughts and prayers too. Best Wishes.

Rob

Thanks Rob, you and the rest of the family here are great friends.


Frank

[Expug]

My week just got worse for me, yeterday we bury my cousin Jesus, and today I got the news that my sister Rachel who is 2 years older then me and lives in NoCal, was diagnose with inoperable pancreatic cancer.
Its been a rough week to say the least.

Frank
Me and Maria have your sister in our prayers. Dagos

Me and my Maria and family have your sister in our prayers also Frank.

[kikibalt]

My week just got worse for me, yeterday we bury my cousin Jesus, and today I got the news that my sister Rachel who is 2 years older then me and lives in NoCal, was diagnose with inoperable pancreatic cancer.
Its been a rough week to say the least.

Frank
Me and Maria have your sister in our prayers. Dagos

Me and my Maria and family have your sister in our prayers also Frank.

Thanks all of you guys, my sister is a fighter, she won't go down easy, she has been close to me since I came down with my prostate cancer, she calls me evry other day and always tells me "don't give up" so I guess its my turn to tell her that.

[dagosd2000]

diego,

I remember Frankie Van real well, used to see him ref. all the time in the late 40's, 50's and early 60's, though I never met him, I remember watching a tv show he had, must have been in the late 50's, where he had kids boxing, I remember that we couldn't get any of our kids on the show, he had all this well to do kids boxing on the show.

Frank, maybe Mr. Van was trying to give the well-to-do boys a chance to escape the perils of prep school? Life can be tough for a preppie.

-Ricardo

I don't think so, those were the days when only the white kids could get on tv. remember the Dick Clark show "American Bandstand"? when kids of color cound not get on the show, same thing with Van's show.

Frank
Interesting insight. I remember the first time I heard James Brown and Redd Foxx on records. It was in the black neighborhood in Logan Heights. They had some naval housing out by the beach. Lots of black families lived in that housing. I had a black friend who invited me to go to his grandmother's house in Logan Heights. They started playing James Brown ,and Albert King,and Jimmy Reed. Never heard that on the local radio shows. Never saw their records in the white neighborhoods either. I remember when James Brown made record albums at first. Not allowed to have his face on the cover.

Way before I met my wife. I liked listening to the Tijuana radio stations.Pedro Infante,Javier Solis,Chelo Silva. Que bonita musica. They once asked Jose Napoles what would happen if he was in a boat and it sunk in the middle of the ocean. He said he'd listen for the Mariachis and he'd know what direction to swim. Jose Alfredo wrote "El Rey" for Mantequilla. I bet those two had a drink or two together.

I know it's been a rough week. Take a suggestion from the Dago. Listen to a little Jose Alfredo .

[dagosd2000]

[email protected]

Frank
What's that mean? I klicked it on and I got a compose a message thing. I don't want to be talkin' to the FBI.

Here's a good one. When my family moved to San Diego,my father would still have contact with those "Outfit Guys" from Chicago. Once in a while they'd come out here. Well everytime they came to our house,a half hour later the FBI would show up. The Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Bureau was a guy named Jack Armstrong(I didn't make that name up). After a while,Armstrong and my father became good friends. This Armstrong guy was really OK. Well Armstrong used to like to listen to the stories from my father about Al Capone,Frank Nitti,Sam Giancana,and the rest of cannoli crew. But here was the problem. My father had to use an alias if he was going to talk to Jack Armstrong. The guy was retired and my father was in his 80's and all those old Mustache Pete's were dead,but who knows? There might have been a misunderstanding and my father didn't want to be floating in San Diego Bay. So he used the alias"Joe Brazil". Don't that beat all. Just like something in the movies. But this is what got me. With all the stories my father knew.(Christ, he lived in Al Capone's house)he could have written all the screenplays for all those Godfather and Scorcese movies. I'm surprised Jack Armstrong didn't.

[kikibalt]

[email protected]

Frank
What's that mean? I klicked it on and I got a compose a message thing. I don't want to be talkin' to the FBI.

Here's a good one. When my family moved to San Diego,my father would still have contact with those "Outfit Guys" from Chicago. Once in a while they'd come out here. Well everytime they came to our house,a half hour later the FBI would show up. The Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Bureau was a guy named Jack Armstrong(I didn't make that name up). After a while,Armstrong and my father became good friends. This Armstrong guy was really OK. Well Armstrong used to like to listen to the stories from my father about Al Capone,Frank Nitti,Sam Giancana,and the rest of cannoli crew. But here was the problem. My father had to use an alias if he was going to talk to Jack Armstrong. The guy was retired and my father was in his 80's and all those old Mustache Pete's were dead,but who knows? There might have been a misunderstanding and my father didn't want to be floating in San Diego Bay. So he used the alias"Joe Brazil". Don't that beat all. Just like something in the movies. But this is what got me. With all the stories my father knew.(Christ, he lived in Al Capone's house)he could have written all the screenplays for all those Godfather and Scorcese movies. I'm surprised Jack Armstrong didn't.

diego,

never mind that, I mess up, google ' wiseguys' and fine "The Wiseguys Big Band Machine" and click on that and check their web site and I'll tell you more about them.

[kikibalt]

My second cousin Gabriel Melendez, plays with a
big band.

From Swing to Swank, The Wiseguys Big Band Machine is an eighteen-piece ensemble dedicated to keeping great music alive. This Montebello, California-based big band features a screamin' horn line, talented vocalists, exciting soloists, and a roarin' rhythm section. Their repertoire includes the swingin' vocal tunes of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Peggy Lee, big band favorites from Glenn Miller, Pérez Prado and Buddy Rich; and The Wiseguys keep audiences on their feet and dancing with classic mambos and cumbias, and great dance music from the 50's and 60's.

The Wiseguys' blend of swing, jazz and big band standards has made them a popular opening act for such diverse artists as War, Tierra, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Maynard Ferguson, Santos de Los Angeles and Poncho Sanchez.

Here are just some of the great tunes that you might hear at a Wiseguys show:

Vocals:

Ain't That a Kick In The Head
All or Nothing At All
Artificial Flowers
As Long As I'm Singing
Beautiful Maria of My Soul
The Best Is Yet To Come
Beyond The Sea
Charade
Clementine
Come Fly With Me
Dream Lover
El Tiburon
Fever
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
I’m Sitting On Top Of The World
If I Can Dream
It Had To Be You
I've Got You Under My Skin
Jump Jive and Wail
Lady Is A Tramp
Luck Be A Lady
Mack The Knife
Night and Day
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
Sabor a Mi
Something Stupid
Splish Splash
Stormy Weather
Sway
Summerwind
Tus Ojos
Up A Lazy River
The Way You Look Tonight
Why Don't You Do Right?
Witchcraft
When I Fall In Love
You Belong To Me
You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You

Instrumentals:umentals:

American Patrol
Frenesi / Perfidia
Channel One Suite
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White
Dream
Embraceable You
Girl From Ipanema
In The Mood
Leap Frog
Love For Sale
Manteca
Moondance
Mambo # 5
Mambo # 8
Mambo Caliente
Misirlou
Moonlight Serenade
Perdido
Satin Doll
Senor Banana
Sleepwalk
Sing Sing Sing
Sonny's Place
Shadow of Your Smile
String of Pearls


Christmas:

All I Want For Christmas Is You
Frosty The Snowman
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Sleigh Ride
'Zat You Santa Claus?

[dagosd2000]

My second cousin Gabriel Melendez, plays with a
big band.

From Swing to Swank, The Wiseguys Big Band Machine is an eighteen-piece ensemble dedicated to keeping great music alive. This Montebello, California-based big band features a screamin' horn line, talented vocalists, exciting soloists, and a roarin' rhythm section. Their repertoire includes the swingin' vocal tunes of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Peggy Lee, big band favorites from Glenn Miller, Pérez Prado and Buddy Rich; and The Wiseguys keep audiences on their feet and dancing with classic mambos and cumbias, and great dance music from the 50's and 60's.

The Wiseguys' blend of swing, jazz and big band standards has made them a popular opening act for such diverse artists as War, Tierra, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Maynard Ferguson, Santos de Los Angeles and Poncho Sanchez.

Here are just some of the great tunes that you might hear at a Wiseguys show:

Vocals:

Ain't That a Kick In The Head
All or Nothing At All
Artificial Flowers
As Long As I'm Singing
Beautiful Maria of My Soul
The Best Is Yet To Come
Beyond The Sea
Charade
Clementine
Come Fly With Me
Dream Lover
El Tiburon
Fever
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
I’m Sitting On Top Of The World
If I Can Dream
It Had To Be You
I've Got You Under My Skin
Jump Jive and Wail
Lady Is A Tramp
Luck Be A Lady
Mack The Knife
Night and Day
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
Sabor a Mi
Something Stupid
Splish Splash
Stormy Weather
Sway
Summerwind
Tus Ojos
Up A Lazy River
The Way You Look Tonight
Why Don't You Do Right?
Witchcraft
When I Fall In Love
You Belong To Me
You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You

Instrumentals:umentals:

American Patrol
Frenesi / Perfidia
Channel One Suite
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White
Dream
Embraceable You
Girl From Ipanema
In The Mood
Leap Frog
Love For Sale
Manteca
Moondance
Mambo # 5
Mambo # 8
Mambo Caliente
Misirlou
Moonlight Serenade
Perdido
Satin Doll
Senor Banana
Sleepwalk
Sing Sing Sing
Sonny's Place
Shadow of Your Smile
String of Pearls


Christmas:

All I Want For Christmas Is You
Frosty The Snowman
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Sleigh Ride
'Zat You Santa Claus?

Thanks Buddy
I just got done listening to their song"Tus Ojos". I'm trying to put those nights of holding some nice"Chula" on the dance floor and telling her she's the most beautifull girl on earth behind me. And then I listen to "Tus Ojos". I thought that kind of music was in the past like my addiction for those nights in those little clubs listening to music by "Los Angeles Negros","Little Willie and Thee Midniters","Los Bukis". You know what I mean Frank. We understand those days. Those kids,"The Wiseguys"reminded me of those nights. I thought that music was only on an oldie station or in my mind. Wherever that music is and wherever those nights are,I never want to lose them. These girls today(Las Mexicanas)that don't know those sounds go crazy when you introduce "la musica romantica"to them. A song from our past. Like"The Town I Live In Is Lonely" by Thee Midniters.It can be a hundred years from now and it will still have an effect on those pretty girls. And an effect on me.

Frank,that song "Tus Ojos"will get me in trouble again,but I don't blame you. It would happen anyway. Your pal Dagos

[kikibalt]

I MAY SING OUT OF TUNE, BUT ATLEAST I DO IT WITH HEART
Gabriel Melendez

yea singing is a very personal and scary thing, you know ? i use to be very frieghtened when i had to sing. when i first started my band, i couldnt find a singer so somebody had to do it and for better or for worse i was that somebody. i always loved the sound of the sax so i learned to play it but singing i had to do and i didnt know if i like the sound that i made and i still dont know if i like it . well i try to remember all the good days and learn from the bad ones, needless to say over time i have learned alot .atleast i learned to write from my heart and soul without being shy about it . but singing for me goes hand in hand with writting . sometimes i just let it flow out and it feels real good, like i got that monkey off my back(damn monkey) anyways sometimes i write for GOD sometimes for memories past, i remember every single person ive ever known and all of our conversations, its wierd but i do, i feel like im always having deja vu , but sometimes i do write just for me and those are my good days, a little selfish yes, but hey its my, life isnt it ? sometimes i wish i could just disapear somewhere, with my guitar and a storage room full of beer and just play, i dont need anyone there i dont need conversation or companionship i just need to hear the silence between the sound that i try and make, that, is heaven to me. anyways, the stuff i put on line is what it is, good or bad but atleast i do it with honesty. so why am i writting this? i dont know, maybe i need to get this out of my head. things are getting a little cloudy up there again. time to be and do creative things again, i guess