User:Skwaller/Ernie and The Emperors

Ernie and the Emperors new article content ... Ernie and The Emperors were a rock band from Santa Barbara, California. They were an example of 1960s rock and pop, heavily influenced by the British Invasion with songs that employed rich harmonies, unique instrumental hooks, and upbeat lyrics.

Band Members

 * Ernie Orosco (Ernie Joseph)
 * Ray Orosco (Cory Orosco)
 * Ruben Orosco (Brian Faith)
 * Randy Busby
 * Denny Fricia (Denny Free)

History
Ernie and The Emperors started their career as the opening act for the Isley Brothers at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. Soon after, having won numerous battle of the bands competitions, they were made the official house band. After signing a deal with Reprise Records in 1965, they enjoyed a #1 hit, Meet Me At The Corner in the California Gold Coast area of Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. The Emperors carried out a full performance schedule that took them all over the state and won them many fans. For a long time they held the distinction of being the Tri-Counties' top band. When bass man Randy Busby left, Denny and Kenny Fricia stepped in and the band changed their name to Ernie's Funnys. In 1968, thinking that this name no longer fit the musical direction in which they were heading, they changed the band's name to the Giant Crab. As each of the members were drafted into the military, the band changed, but upon returning they re-formed, releasing a string of singles and two LPs, quickly gaining a reputation as a hard rocking band.

In 1969 Ernie changed his name to Ernie Joseph and the others followed suit, Ray becoming Cory and Ruben becoming Brian Faith. They teamed up with drummer Steve Dunwoody to tour the southeastern states (which included the Love Valley Music Festival near Greensboro, NC) as Big Brother Ernie Joseph. While on tour they performed with the Allman Brothers Band, Bruce Springsteen & Steel Mill, members of the Marshall Tucker Band, and Greg Munford and Ed King of the the Strawberry Alarm Clock. When they came off the road they recorded the classic psych LP, Confusion.

The brothers continued to perform as Big Brother Ernie Joseph, Faith, and currently the Brian Faith Band, producing CDs and videos not only of themselves, but many noted artists. They have worked with such notables as Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow, and Blackmore's Night), Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge), Eddie Brigati (the Young Rascals), Cornelius Bumpus (the Doobie Brothers), Kenny Cetera (Chicago), Burleigh Drummond (Ambrosia), Bobby Harris (the Drifters), Doug Ingle (Iron Butterfly), Christian Love (son of Mike love of The Beach Boys), Steve Lukather (Toto), Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits), Roy Orbison, Katy Perry, Rare Earth, Jamie Shane (Canned Heat), Floyd Sneed (Three Dog Night), Nick St. Nicholas (Steppenwolf), Toad the Wet Sprocket, Hubert Tubbs Tower of Power), Chuck Wild (Missing Persons), and many more.

Discography

 * Meet Me At The Corner/Got A Lot I Want To Say (Reprise Records 45, 1965)
 * Day By Day (It Happens)/Kind of Funny (UNI Records 45, 1967)
 * Believe It or Not/Lydia Purple (UNI Records 45, 1968)
 * Hi Ho Silver Lining/Hot Line Conversation (UNI Records 45, 1968)
 * A Giant Crab Comes Forth (UNI Records LP, 1968)
 * Cool It/Intensify My Soul (UNI Records 45, 1968)
 * An All-American Emperor (Akarma LP, 1968 - not released until 1999)
 * Hot Line Conversation/E.S.P. (Uni Records 45, 1969)
 * It Started With a Kiss/The Answer is No (UNI Records 45, 1969)
 * Cool It...Helios (UNI Records LP, 1969)
 * Confusion (All-American Records LP, 1969)
 * South East Tour (All-American Records LP, 1970)
 * Big Brother Ernie Joseph: Toby Sheldon & Dain Heald (SRS Hit Records Network CD, 2005)
 * American Gypsies - Brian Faith Band and Friends featuring Roberts Crowder (SRS Hit Records Network CD, 2005)