Indisputably the greatest Latino rock band of the '60s, Thee Midniters took their inspiration from both the British Invasion sound of the Rolling Stones and the more traditional R&B that they were weaned on in their native Los Angeles. Hugely popular in East Los Angeles, the group, featuring both guitars and horns, had a local hit (and a small national one) with their storming version of "Land of a Thousand Dances" in 1965. Much of their repertoire featured driving, slightly punkish rock/R&B, yet lead singer Willie Garcia also had a heartbreaking delivery on slow and steamy ballads. In the manner of other local phenomenon's like the Rationals (from Detroit), they were equally talented at whipping up a storm with up-tempo numbers and offering smoldering romantic soul tunes. After a few albums and an interesting detour into social consciousness with the single "Chicano Power," the group split in the early '70s, though their legacy is felt in later popular L.A. Latino rock acts like Los Lobos. -- Richie Unterberger
Thee Midniters were first of all a very good rock 'n' roll band, benefiting from an often ferocious rhythm section, an exceptional lead singer (Willie Garcia, better known as Little Willie G.), and a slick lead guitarist named George Dominguez. Had their lineup stopped here, it would have been enough to earn them widespread respect. What made Thee Midniters special, however, was their horn section -- a few years before Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears -- as well as the fact that they were skilled at ballads and hard rock.
Thee Midniters did so many different things well primarily because Willie Garcia could sing in any style. His range permitted the group to freely switch from black music to white music, R&B to middle-of-the-road pop. Each member liked a variety of performers, and each was determined to cover his favorite songs. This pattern of alternating between ballads and hard rock continued when Thee Midniters -- principally Little Willie G. and bass Jimmy Espinoza -- began writing their own material. Like the Chicano audience, Thee Midniters embraced all kinds of music, though they did have a special feeling for slow R&B. ---Rhino Records
"Knowing bands like Thee Midniters were from the neighborhood made me believe there was a chance to make it." -- Cesar Rosas, Los Lobos
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