The HiLites
Yes, 1968 really did happen.
I was 17 and the oldest one in the band.
The moms and dads of the band
members used to drive us around to rehearsals and gigs--mostly at the local
military bases. We played the enlisted men's clubs at the Naval Training Center, Miramar, North Island and a few high school after dances.
We were a soul band playing
James Brown, Temptations, basic
Motown (steps and everything) with a
few standards thrown in. Most of us
went to Kearny High which is located
in Linda Vista. There was a strong
Black and Latino presence and this
influence was reflected in the music
of the local bands. Very cool.
Groups had names like
"The Dimensions" and "The Aspirations."
At this time Hippies were starting to happen and I was trying to influence the group
to include some Jimi Hendrix, Cream and Janis Joplin. There was
a father of one of the band members
who was against this. I can still remember him saying "My boy ain't
playin none of that Sah-ki-delic music."