The Romero Family

The Romero Family (from left to right: Al, Mary Lou, Cherise, Alfredo, Maxine, Bill, and Flavia) recorded this regional hit back in 1983 at the Rendezvous Studios in Honolulu, and although David Geffen offered to fly the entire family out to Los Angeles to record a follow up, they chose instead to ride off into the Oahu sunset. Lord knows why. But they make it very clear in "I Believe In God" that they don't approve of superstars, organic food, or foreign cars -- so perhaps they just couldn't handle their burgeoning celebrity status and the lifestyle it demanded. Last month I ran into Alfredo Romero, covered in tattoos, pedaling leis in front of the Opportunity Village charity shop on West Oakey Blvd. in Las Vegas.

Kanaka Wai Wai
I Believe In God
Worry No More

Battle of the Brothers

vs.

This month's Battle of the Brothers pits the Hürel Brothers from Turkey against The Pyle Brothers from Evansville, Indiana.

Back in the mid-70's, Nate, Joe, and Mike Pyle were a vibrant young group of Gospel believing Christians who had a very unique and versatile ministry. Not only did the Lord use their singing talents to reach souls, but God also involved the entire Pyle clan in skits and puppet shows that delighted audiences in 22 states.

Meanwhile, nearly 5200 miles away in a swirl of hashish smoke, Onur, Feridun, and Haldun Hürel were staging a coup against the reigning emperor of Turkish psych, Erkin Koray. But it was merely a stepping stone to their ultimate goal: a victory against the Pyle Brothers so they could seize their collection of puppets. And if they couldn't do it with their double-necked saz/guitars and passionate vocals, then by God they'd do it with their stylish threads!

3 Hur-El - Doner Dunya
3 Hur-El - Omur Biter Yol Bitmez
(from the lp Hurel Arsivi released on Diskotur in 1976)




The Pyle Brothers - Don't Go To Heaven Alone
The Pyle Brothers - It's A Song The Angels Cannot Sing

(from the lp Don't Go To Heaven Alone, released on Pinebrook in 1975)

Kindly cast your vote in the comments section.

Chantal Goya

After starring in Masculin, Feminin and enjoying a successful career as a ye-ye girl, Chantal Goya was offered $50,000 to appear in Playboy. But Chantal had a slightly different kind of photo spread in mind:

And while her two-decade stint as the Mary Poppins of France is fascinating, for now let's reminisce about her ye-ye days.

C'est Bien Bernard
Oh Raconte Moi
Tant De Joies
Dans La Nuit (a cover of Twinkle's Golden Lights)