The Matadors

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.