The Blendells

The Blendells were one of numerous Mexican-American groups in East Los Angeles signed by producer/label entrepreneur Eddie Davis, and had a small national hit with a cover of <a href="spotify:artist:7guDJrEfX3qb6FEbdPA5qi">Stevie Wonder</a>'s "La La La La La," which made #62 in 1964. Like <a href="spotify:artist:7j1U73GyJma4AM3T5C7Dmc">the Premiers</a>' "Farmer John," also a hit in 1964 and also recorded for Davis' small empire, it was an R&B/soul cover given a slight Latin flavor, embellished by live-in-the-studio party noises. Especially memorable, and off-the-wall, was the deadpan opening speech: "I'm gonna do a little song for you now that'll make you clap your hands, kick your feet, and as a matter of fact, it'll tear you up." This was delivered almost as if the song was a tongue-in-cheek parody, and despite the simplistic, virtually meaningless lyrics, it did have a solid groove.

Originally on Rampart, the single was licensed to Reprise for national distribution. The Blendells went out on tour for a while behind the strength of that small hit, but, strangely, only recorded one more single, "Dance with Me," before breaking up. "La La La La La" remains a well-known oldie among the Mexican-American community in L.A., and has been reissued on Varese Sarabande's The West Coast East Side Sound, Vol. 2 and Rhino's Brown-Eyed Soul, Vol. 2. The instrumental B-side of "La La La La La," "Huggy's Bunnies," is on The West Coast East Side Sound, Vol. 1. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi