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Miami Bands of The 70s
Those of us who were privileged to be present during that time can appreciate the frustration of not being able to know the history of our musical roots here in Miami. No books or Google searches can produce any information on this period , a time when we were defining ourselves musically.
We had embraced soul music and rock as the ” listeners”, but we wanted to make our own music, a style that would reflect our ethnicity and our ability to adapt. Groups like Earth,Wind and Fire and Santana would influence us ,and we would take those styles and fuse them together. Musical groups formed in our High Schools when friends from Band class got together to jam in their parent’s garage or ” Florida Room” The ” OPEN HOUSE ” was born out of necessity,we needed a place to show off , our clothes ,our shoes , our ” Muelas”. We needed to show America we could take all it offered and make it our own. According to Legendary radio personality Maria Cristina Ruiz of Super Q” The pioneers of the Open Houses, were the late Eddy Martinez, and Francisco Calvo. They were strong promoters at the time plus, Martin Roque and the late Ray Aviles who came down from New York and partnered with Eddy Martinez. They used to have dances , TRES ORQUESTAS POR EL PRECIO DE UNO! ” was their tag line .It is unclear where the term ” Open House ” originated, but it meant “all where invited ” and we ALL went. We know the names Boa,Trapp, Heaven ,Mantrap,OUI,Mint, Unit 3 ,Antiques, Coke,Rapid Transit,Unit 3,BABE,Pearly Queen, Adam’s Apple,Clockwork, World of Matter ,Ecstacy, Queen’s kids,Warlock, Heroes of
Cranberry Farms,Shuffling Kind, Trap,The Warlocks,Wildwind, Majesty, and those who were destined to stay just jamming together in their parent’s spare bedroom. These were our superstars with a twist, they sat next to us in Math class. They had grown up with us, we could hear them practicing from our backyard, but most of all , they were our own. Latin teenagers mostly from Cuba arriving in the US in the early and mid sixties,still Cuban at heart ,faced with the reality that they would never return to their birthplace , but with the desire to make our mark and be noticed as contributors to this great land. Although I must give credit where credit is due, a few local Gringos did pave the way and they are also recognized on this page.
Who in Miami didn’t skip school once to attend a Mantrap or Heaven concert in the Miami High auditorium? Where else could they come up with something so official sounding as National “Skip ‘ day? The word got out somehow and we all showed up at the South Beach Pier. We would also show up at Club de las Americas, Salon Sofia,Electrician’s Hall. Our Lady of Lebanon, Polish American , and anywhere we knew the guys would be at. Of course we need to mention Carlos Oliva y los Sobrinos del Juez ,Willy Chirino , Hansel y Raul and the Miami Sound Machine all talented artists that defined the ” Miami Sound ” to the mainstream . It was these groups that bridged the generational gaps that existed between us and our parents , musically , if only for a brief moment in time.
When Disco exploded on to the scene it made these “Open House ” groups shine even more. Groups began adding local female vocalists ,that would solidify their male fan base . Their playlists were as fresh as the newest Bo Crane Disco report .The faceless songs we heard hundreds of times a week on the radio now had a group of young men to interpret the feelings of that particular song. The Cuban Dick Clark of course was WRHC’s Enrique de la Maza who hosted the popular AM radio show ” El Show de Rikki Tikki ” on a local level de La Maza was a key figure in the promotion of the Open House scene early on, later by Leo Vela,Maria Cristina Ruiz, Mike “in The Night ‘ Triay, Albertico Rodriguez, David Verjano and all of the Super Q team.
This page is an attempt to record some of that history ,through recollections of those of us who were there in some capacity either as DJ,musicians,or the audience that supported it all. If you were part of that scene and feel you should be mentioned here please contact me .
Alex Gutierrez 
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Open House Culture
The many bands that played these venues did more than provide us with musical entertainment, they
were also the trend setters , high school and junior high school kids would emulate their style of dress
from the ‘ QIANA’ shirts down to the transparent plexi glass elevator shoes. Weather from Zayas in
Hialeah or Miami Elegante every week these groups would appear on stage with the sole purpose of
being the coolest dressed ” Dicotecos ” in all of Miami. It didn’t matter if you were going bowling at the
Coliseum or shopping at Zayre ‘ Los Discotecos ” always looked good Their hairstyles were not your
father’s barbershop down the street they were from Israel, Robert at the Office or from The Studio and
later Hair Fantasy. This would assure that by the end of the night ,they would be able to get a phone
number or two , and if they were real lucky a slow dance in between sets off in a corner where the ”
Chaperonas” couldn’t see, a sign of a true ” Ligador “. Along with the ” Stoners”, the Nerds,the ” Jocks ”
this era created ” Los Plasticos ” teenage boys and girls who dressed in the latest fashions. ” Quinces ”
were the ultimate displays of ” Plastiqueria” elaborate ” coming out ” parties held at the Dupont,
Barcelona, Doral, Marco Polo or the Big 5 depending on how deep Daddy’s pockets were , to have an
Open House band at your party was a status symbol.
Everyone you’ll ever meet will refer to their High school years as ” those were the days ” to thousands of
us here in Miami during the 70s those were OUR days and they were the best , we had arrived , come
into our own ,and we had something to say. We never made ” shout outs” we made dedications on EL
SHOW DE RIKKI TIKKI, Ada Buznego one of the original ” Champa Chicks”( Champagnat students )
girls who did the phone screening for Enrique de La Maza recalls ” The phones never stopped ringing we
would take dedications during the program and then Enriquito would read them on the air . One of the
most popular callers was a girl that would call everyday her name was Rebecca Faroy , I’ll never forget .
We never had to pick what movie we were going to see because they only played one at The
Tower,Trail,Teatro Marti,Palm Springs Cinema or el Tivoli. In these movie theatres independently owned
in most cases you could buy popcorn , sandals or hats. We didn’t have Happy meals because we were
just as happy with two hamburgers from Royal Castle or a Pan con Bistec from Bistelandia. Food
shopping at Grand Union or Food Fair was a family outing and you didn’t dare put anything in the cart
without your father’s approval and at the end no matter how old you were you always asked mom for a
few pennies for the gumball machine.
Music was the soundtrack for our “Cubanicity” we spoke English but preffered our colorful Cuban
spanish ( Spanglish ) amongst friends. We preffered Disco and Soul over Salsa. ( that would later
change with ” Los Bailes de la Coca Cola ) Super Q was and will always be the only radio station that ”
got it right ” Everyone had the white Earth Wind and Fire album “Gratitude ” it was mandatory that we
learned the words to ” Reasons ” so that we could seranade some unfortunate young girl with our off key
rendition of this ballad while we danced the song with her at a party or Open House.
When Saturday Night Fever came out in 1977 ,we saw a little bit of ourselves , but it was too griity, too
ugly. The Miami Disco Scene was glitzy, glamorous. Our music was Cerrone ,Love and Kisses,Lou
Rawls we had “Tremenda Pinta ” not like these people we saw on the screen. When High School was
over we all went our seperate ways ,but in our hearts we carried the sounds,the sights of a time we
would never forget.
LOCAL GROUPS OF MIAMI
MANTRAP WILLY CHIRINO
HEAVEN REY AND HIS COURT
WILDWIND TIPICA TROPICAL
UNIT 3 CONTINENTAL BRASS
CLOCKWORK LOS JOVENES DEL HIERRO
RAPID TRANSIT FOXXY
TRAPP QUEEN’S KIDS
ANTIQUES PEARLY QUEEN
COKE ( LATER OPUS ) WARLOCK
OUI HEROES OF CRANBERRY
MINT ECSTACY
MAJESTY World Of Matter
FRIENDS
CLOUDS
CARLOS OLIVA
OSCAR Y LA FANTASIA
MIGUEL CRUZ AND SKINS
LOCAL VENUES /HALLS
CLUB DE LAS AMERICAS
POLISH -AMERICAN
SALON SOFIA
SALON AZUL
OUR LADY OF LEBANON
ELECTRICIANS HALL
MIAMi JAI a LAI
DINNER KEY AUDITORIUM
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DJ ALEX GUTIERREZ
In 1976 I bought two BSR Belt driven Turntables with no pitch control and a Radio Shack microphone mixer mixer with no CUE, with money I had saved working as a busboy at a restaurant. I was the “man “!! Well at least I thought I was . I had been
to a party where instead of everyone bringing their own records (with their name written all over those 45 rpm records in bold black ink) There was an actual guy with his own stuff in a corner playing the records for you. Of course you didn’t know what he was playing because he covered the label with black tape. Oh,and he was getting paid $15.00. I wanted to do what that guy
did. I became his friend ,George Valdes,never saw him after Jr.high School,but he started me out by giving me the Trammp’s ”
That’s where the Happy people Go ” on Atlantic Records. Showed me what ” mixing ” was,showed me where to cut my hair
( Hair Fantasy ) showed me that Pierre Cardin cologne was better than Jovan musk oil. But most important he showed me that
a DJ can’t be taught ,it has to come from within,you have to feel the music.
” It’s been 30+ years since all of that and music has always been a part of my life starting with Disco in the 70s,Freestyle in the 80s,Techno in the 90s and so on. ”
I’ve been fortunate to work at numerous nightclubs in Miami and California , as well as concerts ( Opening for such artists as Oscar de Leon,Gilberto Santa Rosa , Tavares, Carol Douglas , Elvis Crespo And many More ) as well as special events throughout the years. I’ve worked in radio since the mid 90s when the BREEZE a local light Jazz station became EL ZOL. I had always included Latin Music in my 
programming but had never focused primarily on it until I met Jesus Salas Program Director for EL ZOL, he invited me to join DJ Crazy J in a show he was creating called ” El Mix en Vivo” ( The first Latin Mixshow } with MC/ DJ Julio Jr. and Carlos Lanzas.
During that time a couple of friends and myself had already been playing around with the idea of BEAT MIXING Latin music. The ” Chief ” Raymond Hernandez from Rhythym 98, Gil Rodriguez , DJ at La Covacha and myself who had been playing at Club
Mystique at the Airport Hilton and Alcazaba at the Hyatt. El Mix en Vivo was a hit,and opened the door to just about every latin
club in Florida. Latin music became my primary focus and I began to perfect my ” Latin Beat mixing” technique that was not well recieved because people wanted the song to end. After a few months I trained my crowds into accepting the ” mix ” it also allowed them to dance a little longer since most latin songs are only about 3:00 min long. I helped pioneer the use of dry beats ,that I would edit into a song before and after allowing me mixing points.
I later went on to accept a position at Salsa98.3 FM thanks to Leo Vela a long time friend who started as a DJ at Cherry’s as
an on-air mixer. I enjoyed 3 years there until the station went 100% Reggeaton, and name changed to LA Kalle 98. I stayed a few 
months with La Kalle and then accepted a DIsco Mix Show on Clasica 92.3 FM ” Disco Fiesta” with Susy Lehman ,after that thanks to the late Julio Jr. I was back on el ZOL 95 doing remote broadcasts with the station.
I recieved the New Times Best Club DJ Reader’s Choice Award multiple years and appeared in the PBS Documentary ” El Open House The Soundtrack of our Lives ” . I have remixed tracks for Willy Chirino, Orq.Palenke, Miami’s Band, Mantrap , Tito Nieves and others.
Today The preservation of traditional Salsa and Disco is a battle,the clubs are getting younger and the desire to learn Salsa and appreciate Disco is diminishing,but I keep doing my thing and so far it works. With Open House Radio along with Mike in the Night I have returned to my Disco roots and created a program that is now heard around the world ,playing 70s and 80s dance music. It keeps you alive……Mike passed away December 6, 2012 a devastating blow to all of us here in Miami, the torch was passed to my Friend and producer Lewis Martinee who together continue Mike’s dream as well as producing an additional dance music show RHTYTHM MIX 24/7 . Early in 2013 I founded the South Florida DJ Association and the response has been
overwhelming. Fulfilling a lifelong goal of bringing the DJ Community together.
Past and Present
Nightclubs
Alcazaba,Club Mystique ( Airport Hilton ), Gabriel’s, ,The Forge, Club 41,Poodle Lounge ( Fountainbleu ), Casis, Mezzanote, Valentinos,Bar 609 ( south Beach ) , Club 609 ( Coconut Grove ), Coco loco, Kaffe Krystal, Cafe Iguana ( Kendall ), Cafe Iguana ( Pembroke Pines ), Cafe Iguana ( beach Place ) , Maars Bar ( Kendall) 94th Aerosquadron ( Miami }
Club Z ,Baja Beach Place,St.Croix, Paladium, Bungalow 9, Gemini,Congas,Radius,Monkey Bar,Club Boca,Suzanne’s in the Grove,Azucar,Casino Miami Club Bailo,La Covacha
Radio Stations
Zol 95.7 FM , Salsa 98.3 FM , La Kalle 98.3 FM, Zeta 92.3 FM
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Origins of The Disco Ball
It will be forever connected to Disco Music as one of it’s most recognized symbols 
, yet it has been around since the late 1800s. As early as the 18th century, people used “witches balls” to reflect negative spirits away from the home. Although not 100% verified ,The disco ball was invented by Charles and Logan McGrath, of Basildon, England, in 1859. They ran a popular bar and experimented with lighting effects to enhance the performances of their shows.The February, 1897, issue of the “Electrical Worker” describes the Third Annual Ball held on on January 6, 1897, at Roughaus Hall, Charlestown, and of the spectacular lighting display, which could be seen for miles around Boston. The letters “N.B.E.W.” were done with incandescent lamps of various colors on wire mesh over the ballroom, highlighted by a lamp flashing on a mirrored ball
Most records of pre-disco era mirror balls are limited to appearances in films that show the balls in motion as part of a scene at a bar or cabaret of some sort. Films such as the 1927 silent film “Berlin: Die Sinfonie der Großstadt” and the 1942 classic “Casablanca” as well as ” Some Like it Hot show mirror balls as part of set pieces.Division Bell tour that measured a whopping 4.9 meters in diameter. Madonna had to out do the competition andt during her 2006 Confessions on a Dance Floor tour used a 2-ton disco ball covered in $2 million worth of Swarovski crystals.
According to The Guiness Book of World Records The largest disco ball measures 10.33 m (33 ft 10 in) in diameter and was achieved by Bestival (UK) for the Desert Island Disco at Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight, UK, on 7 September 2014.
The Disco Ball was rotating while Nile Rodgers and Chic took to the stage to perform .
Alex Gutierrez
Her real name is Beatrice Melba Smith.Her first break came in 1967 as a member of the original cast of the musical ‘Hair’.1976 saw her biggest chart success with the Van McCoy-penned song ‘This Is It’.
‘This Is It’ reached the Billboard Hot 100, the top twenty position on the R&B chart and also made the Top ten in the U.K.1982 saw huge success with the release of the album ‘The Other Side Of The Rainbow’, an album that featured the songs ‘Love’s Comin’ At Ya’ (U.K. Top 20 and produced by Paul Lawrence Jones III and Kashif), ‘Mind Up Tonight’ (U.K. Top 25) and ‘Underlove’ (U.K. Top 75).
Her biggest Disco hit is YOU STEPPED INTO MY LIFE (Producer – Gene McFadden And John Whitehead ) a song released by the Bee Gees in September 1976.Her version reached #47 in the US, #17 in the US R&B Charts and #5 in the US Hot Dance Club Songs in 1978.It’s sexy and sultry vocals combined with a lower BPM than usual fit comfortably as an opening track at many Miami nightclubs.
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Meet Alec R.
By Disco DJ standards this man could walk on water and part the Red Sea while conducting a 48 piece orchestra at the same time. he was responsible for some if not most of the greatest productions of the Disco Era. You would be hard pressed to find a DJ from that time that doesn’t include this man’s work on his list of Top 5 greatest Disco tracks of all time.
Greek/Egyptian Alec R. Costandinos made records unlike anyone else could, he pioneered the use of the first LP recorded on 48 tracks ( Trident Studios). In only three years, 1977-79, he recorded an astounding 15 albums of beautiful, one side-long disco suites and concept albums without comparison. Costandinos is a musical genius and his records simply sound as fantastic today as they did when they were first released. In 1974 Costandinos would become involved with a group called Kongas, whose drummer was none other than future disco auteur Jean-Marc Cerrone. Later in 1975, the two would collaborate on Cerrone’s first solo project “Love In C Minor” , one of the greatest disco classics which launched both of their careers as Disco producers. The two original tracks off Cerrone’s three-track “Love In C Minor” LP (the title track and “Midnite Lady”) would unfortunately be the last products of the Cerrone/Costandinos collaboration. As for why that was, it’s a question mark. It is a subject that Alec told us on our Open House Interview ” I prefer to let somethings as they are “
His Masterpiece Romeo And Juliette released on the Casablanca label showed the complexities of the true genre and is an excellent example of what DISCO was and should be seen as ……ART
After all his Disco projects , Costandinos seemed to slow down considerably. He would release one more album in 1981 called “Americana,” ( The Only album that featured a picture of him on the cover ) ironically not released in the US.
And by the way on Romeo and Juliette “the most excellent and lamentable tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, newly corrected, augmented and amended” is Alec himself.
Hear our EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW ON OPEN HOUSE RADIO CLICK HERE
Open House Radio #54 Alec R. Costandinos by Open House Radio on Mixcloud
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My First Record
They say you never forget your first kiss, your first girlfriend ,well, your first anything right? As a DJ who started at the age of 15 I was reminded today while listening to some old songs on You Tube what my first record was. I didn’t even buy it, it was given to me by the DJ that lit the flame that burns til this day. His name was Jorge Valdes a 9th grader who had first met at a party that he was ” playing records” . The minute I walked in the door that night I was mesmerized by the fact that a guy playing records controlled the party. I didn’t see him for several months after that, nor did I see anyone doing what he was doing at any other party that I went to. On the first day of school at lunch in my Junior High Cafeteria there he was , motioning to me to come sit at his table with a bunch of other older kids with cool haircuts and clothes. I did the best I could to cover my T shirt from “Los Pinos Nuevos” a Local bakery. I had already been into music listening to the radio religiously when I got home. My parents owned a big Zenith Console stereo ( off limits of course) and a large collection of records Elvis,Herp Alpert, Ray Conniff, Al Hirt The obligatory Coke album ( a local group of kids from Miami High) rounding out the collection on the latin side Perez Prado,Celia Cruz,Conjunto Universal . I couldn’t hear them ,but I could hold them and read the liner notes and admire the cover art which on some of the Lps were a little risque at the time. But these kids spoke of a different kind of music ,it wasn’t Elton John,America, Captain & Tenille that I was listening to on my local station.They were talking about groups like BT Express, LaBelle,AWB, Van McCoy ,Silver Convention, O.C. Smith, The Intruders,Double Exposure. The were talking about clubs that their older brothers and sisters would go to. This was a strange new world for me , but I liked it !! 
The following day at lunch ( now wearing a much cooler T Shirt with the ” Man from Uncle” logo) I sat down next to Jorge who immediately handed me a white label 45 RPM of the Trammps ” That’s Where The Happy People Go” He said ” Here to start your collection” I looked at it for a minute . I imagined myself at a party where I was in charge of the music . People danced , girls whispering, smiling and pointing at me ( hopefully not laughing at my T shirt). I was a DJ !! I peddled home that day faster than ever ready to defy all rules concerning the Zenith stereo . I was going to play ” MY” record , and I did as soon as I stepped in the door and about 3 hours before my Father got home. I must have heard it about 20 times before my Mom had me turn it off because I was going to ” Waste The Needle”
It was an exciting time I wanted to learn all about this ” Disco” thing these guys were talking about. I discovered a record store within bicycle riding distance where I offered the old man to organize and help out around the shop in exchange for records. ( Lee’s Records) My collection began to grow 45s , Lps and the new 12 inches . More Record stores were popping up all over Ultra Records, Ricky Records E.R.E Records , The Record Gallery, The Village, Do Re Mi, Lily’s . Soon I was able to fill up a few crates and with money saved from jobs here and there ( an the help of my Uncle) I was able to buy a Speaker ,some turntables and a small little mixer.
All because of ” Disco” Where the Happy people Go.
DJ Alex Gutierrez
There are a very few people in this town you can always count on to carry the Disco torch .Individuals who share a passion for Disco music and are willing to put their money where their mouth is. Organizing events and Disco themed concerts for over 25 years Charlie Rodriguez has proven time after time that he is the” Barnum and Bailey” of Disco music assembling some of the genre’s finest talents and presenting them in large venues for the Miami public. Presenting Superstars of Disco such as France Joli, Tavares, Lime. GQ, Carol Douglas, Teri De Sario, Ray Martinez and Amant and many more. ” Disco Music is the Soundtrack of Miami and we have a responsibility to pass it on to future generations ”
His most recent project on a smaller scale is the Disco Flavored night at The Fusion Cafe in Davie.Ideally located in an area that is able to serve both Dade and Broward residents with the music they love. Under the Miami Disco Fever Brand this event brings together die hard disco dancers of clubs like the Limelight, Pete and Lenny’s, Mr.Pips as well as those fans that have no outlet in which to enjoy this music. Since grand opening night Fusion has hosted their share of musical stars such as France Joli, Teri De Sario, TKA , Noel, Nyasia and Erotic Exotic .The venue itself boasts a varied menu and very friendly staff as well as an extremely large bar with every cocktail imaginable.The ample parking guarantees that there will be plenty of room for all the disco and Freestyle people of South Florida. The event takes place every Saturday at 9pm at the Fusion Cafe 15531 Sheridan Street with DJ Alex Gutierrez and DJ Lewis Martinee playing all the Disco and Freestyle we grew up with, of course I’ll throw in Classic Salsa tracks for all you old school Salseros!
Go To Miami Disco fever Here
Owned by Doug and Nancy Stevens The Top Draw was located on the 79 Street Cauesway in Noth Bay Village. It was a private club near Miami Beach, which featured three large connecting rooms a Disco, Restaurant (the best ribs in town and onion soup) and a Piano bar where older people would hang out. It was opened till 5am . DJ Jimmy Martinez called it home from 1975 to 1979.
Jimmy Martinez :”I was a Dancer , a pretty good one at that and I loved the music ..My friend was a DJ and he wanted to visit his Dad at Fort Bragg.He needed a weekend off and asked me for a favor .SOUNDED GOOD..I loved Dancing and the Disco LIFE.. He Said I’ll show you it’s quick ( NO MIXER IN 1973) We would just fade in and out ..I LOVED IT!! SPECIALLY THE LADIES that would come by the booth. My friend never came back he moved to LOS ANGELES from DC. My love affair with Disco was only just beginning . I followed him to Los Angeles , by that time we had started to mix tracks into each other My friend’s name was Pete Sosa He went on to Mix the group Arpeggio’s Love and Desire”
Today Jimmy runs a 24 hour Internet Disco Station ALL HITS RADIO and narrarates books for the blind right here in Miami. Jimmy and his station are a proud supporter of The Miami Disco Project.
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