Susano Landeros & the Royal Notes, Colorado City / Sweetwater

I was recently contacted by George Rivera who played with Colorado City's Royal Notes. George was able to add a little bit of additional information to what I had previously posted about their Gaylo 45.




SUSANO LANDEROS & THE ROYAL NOTES - Take It Easy b/w Yesterday (Gaylo 114)

Ben Hall was catching all sorts of sounds through his Big Spring-based High Fidelity House studio and Gaylo record label. Teens, country boys, rock n' rollers, and even Tejanos.

Susano Landeros came out of a small Colorado City, Texas 'barrio' Juarez. Save the drummer and sax player, both of Sweetwater, the rest of the Royal Notes were Colorado City boys as well.


In 1962 the Royal Notes recorded two originals at Ben Hall's Big Spring studio. "Take It Easy" is an okay instrumental rocker. The number doesn't stretch too far building to a brief n' tame sax workout in the last quarter. A bit repetitive too be sure. "Yesterday" sounds a bit more south-o'-the-border with the trumpet out front and a slightly exotic rhythm. This one shimmers just a bit like the West Texas heat.

Susano left the Royal Notes not too long after the release of the 45 and recorded at least one additional single which was released on the Corona label of San Antonio.

The remaining Royal Notes continued on, patterning themselves after successful Tejano acts like Little Joe & the Latinaires and Sunny & the Sunliners. Within the Royal Notes was a small group called the Midnighters which played popular rock hits of the times.

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Thanks to George Rivera who sent in information regarding Susano and the Royal Notes. George played bass for the Royal Notes/Midnighters after Susano's departure.