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Little Willie G.: Thee Midniters and Beyond

by Mark Guerrero

Legendary Chicano vocalist Little Willie G, whose fantastic musical odyssey began in the early 60s, has a brand new CD out on Hightone Records, produced by David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. It’s entitled “Make Up for the Lost Time.” He does exactly that on this soulful collection of r&b, jazz-tinged and gospel-flavored songs that show his vocal abilities have continued to evolve. The musicians are top of the line, including David Hidalgo and Conrad Lozano of Los Lobos, Kid Ramos and Rev. Charles Williams. The arrangements are excellent, done by Willie’s former Midniter bandmate, Romeo Prado, David Hidalgo and others, often in collaboration with Willie himself.

Little Willie G, along with Little Ray Jimenez, were the brightest singing stars in East L.A.’s golden age of rock & roll, the 1960s. At a time when several other Eastside bands enjoyed national hit records, Little Willie G a

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1955. Age 9. Antonio Garcia, along with school friends, signed up for a talent show. Performing onstage was something foreign to the small acapella group. All around them, musical acts and performers dressed professionally. They stood around, waiting anxiously to hear their que.

The stage manager noticed this. He told them, “Just go out there, just do like you did at the audition,” and they did. The young boys won the talent show and the audiences hearts. That night, Antonio received the name “Little Willie G” and was exposed to the art of performing.

In 1960, Willie began with the band The Gentiles. Three years later, the band was renamed Thee Midniters. They became popular in “a lot of social and car clubs” in the East LA area. What put them on the map was the Soljian Rock and Roll Shows.

These ‘battle of the bands’ started out small, in little churches. Willie said it was “the best thing” for them because it opened the door to a career. On October 18th, 1964, they sang Land of A Thousand Dancers, their first live recording. People became obsessed with their music; this

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A Contented Little Willie G., Still the Pride of East Los Angeles

Let’s take a trip down Olympic Boulevard.

More than three decades ago, Little Willie G.’s invitation involved Whittier Boulevard, a few main drags to the north. That’s when he sang for Thee Midniters, part of a cadre of bands that brought both cultural pride and rock ‘n’ roll to the Mexican American community of East Los Angeles.

And sometimes beyond. “Land of 1000 Dances” made the national singles charts in versions by both Thee Midniters and friendly rivals Cannibal & the Headhunters. Midniters regional hits included “Sad Girl,” “The Town I Live In” and the cruising celebration “Whittier Boulevard.”

Willie G., who was widely regarded as the best singer on that thriving scene, is now walking down an alley off of East Olympic, pointing out improvements. “This used to be all owned by B.F. Goodrich,” he says, beaming like an alderman as he indicates the fancy Tamayo restaurant on one corner and a big office building across the street.

“Willie is like a legend around here,” says his manager, Gene Aguilera, as