The Matadors

Artist

The Matadors

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US trio from Los Angeles, CA.
Members: Tony Minichiello, Vic Diaz, and Manuel Sanchez
Sang harmonies on Jan & Dean’s early Screen Gems recordings, such as the Surf City and Drag City Lps in 1963, and on part of the Dead Man’s Curve / The New Girl In School LP in 1964 (Liberty Records). The Matadors were a vital part of the Jan & Dean vocal sound, at the peak of the duo’s popularity. Tony and Manny had been schoolmates with Jan Berry at University High School in Los Angeles. They recorded as [a=The Gents (8)] on Liberty in 1961 (with music arranged by Jan). Vic Diaz was a solo artist for Del-Fi Records in 1960, who then connected with Tony and Manny for a single on Liberty as The Dories, produced by Kim Fowley in 1962. Thanks to his songwriting and producing contracts with Screen Gems, Jan was able to write, arrange, and produce for artists other than Jan & Dean (with oversight from Lou Adler). In addition to singing back-up for Jan & Dean, the Matadors had a record deal with Colpix Records, which fell under the aegis of Screen Gems. So it was only natural that Jan would produce the Matadors for Colpix. In addition to arranging and producing for the Matadors, Jan also co-wrote several songs for the group, and sang bass on their single “Perfidia,” released in 1963. Jan also sang lead on the trio’s release of “I Gotta Drive” (which was also included on Jan & Dean’s Drag City LP). Jan’s writing credits for the Matadors included “Ace of Hearts” (co-written with Gary Zekley and Vic Diaz), “La Corrida,” and “Come On Let Yourself Go,” Parts 1 & 2 (co-written with Artie Kornfeld) — 1963-1964. On Encomium, Vic Diaz sings lead on “Ace of Hearts” — just as he did on the original Matadors version (1963). Tony, Vic, and Manuel were a hot combo in their own right. They often played at Gazarri’s on La Cienega Blvd., and were regulars on KHJ-TV’s local program Hollywood A Go Go. They released an album on Reprise called A Go-Go Hollywood Night Life in 1964.

Data provided by Discogs

Top Tracks

Most popular songs on Last.fm · click ▶ to preview on Spotify

1

Get Down From the Tree

The Matadors

2

Let Me Dream

The Matadors

3

LET'S RIDE

The Matadors

4

THE EVIL EYE

The Matadors

5

Demon Riders

The Matadors

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Releases

2 releases · data from Discogs

Setlists

10 live performances · data from Setlist.fm

All · 10
2022
2016
2015
2014
2012
2011
2008

Setlist data provided by Setlist.fm

October 29, 2022

Palasad SocialBowl

London, Ontario, Canada


March 18, 2016

Spill Coffee Bar

Peterborough, Ontario, Canada


March 12, 2016

The Moustache Club

Oshawa, Ontario, Canada


November 6, 2015

TRH-Bar

Montreal, Quebec, Canada


September 20, 2014

Wax Nightclub

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

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The Matadors has released 2 albums between 1963 and 1964. Notable releases include Come On Let Yourself Go, Perfidia. Explore their complete discography on this page.

The Matadors' most-played tracks include Get Down From the Tree, Let Me Dream, LET'S RIDE, THE EVIL EYE, Demon Riders. Listen to these songs and explore more from their catalog on this page.

US trio from Los Angeles, CA.Members: Tony Minichiello, Vic Diaz, and Manuel Sanchez Sang harmonies on Jan & Dean’s early Screen Gems recordings, such as the Surf City and Drag City Lps in 1963, and on part of the Dead Man’s Curve / The New Girl In S... Read the full biography on this page.

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