Tales From the I.E.
About this show
Local Inland Empire music historian, Armando Castro brings life to the rich history of the Inland Empire.
50 Miles east of Los Angeles, the Inland Empire includes the cities of San Bernardino, Riverside, Colton, Redlands, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and beyond! Bands played everything from rock and roll, surf, rhythm and blues, folk, punk and country music.
Several musicians started their music careers in local IE bands before they became famous. Others played the local clubs, schools, VFW halls and even The Swing Auditorium (opening for major acts).
Come and join “Tales From The I.E.” with Armando Castro.
Local Bands & Artists
Venues & Stores
Major Artists
John Jorgenson
Multi-Instrumentalist John Jorgenson grew up in Redlands
The Beatlettes
Colton High School’s own Beatles tribute band, The Beatlettes!
Elton John Plays the I.E.
Early Elton John concerts included the I.E.
Rod Piazza - I.E. Bluesman
Riverside’s Harmonica Blues player, Rod Piazza
The Squeeze
The story about Riverside’s famous Squeeze
Frank Zappa - The San Bernardino Performances
Frank Zappa shows at the San Bernardino’s Swing
Ramones Play the I.E.
Ramones opened for Black Sabbath at the Swing.
Doug Gillette
Gillette’s Music was the record shop for the I.E.
Rolling Stones & Halloween
The Rolling Stones returned to The Swing on Halloween
The Fasades
The Fasades were a popular dance band during the 1960's
The Kaiser Dome
The Kaiser Dome was the alternate Inland Empire venue
Bela Lugosi
Bela Lugosi made several appearances at I.E. theaters
Apparitions in the I.E.
Ghost Stories from the Inland Empire
Joe Casados & Angie Gee
Inland Empire’s Joe Casados & Angie Gee
The Caretakers
The Caretakers were from San Bernardino
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s first show was at UC Riverside.
Dick Dale
King of Surf Rock, Dick Dale had roots in the IE
Al Wilson
One of most successful chart performers from the I.E.
The Tornadoes
The Tornadoes biggest hit was “Bustin’ Surfboards”
Peppermint Trolley Company
Faragher brothers successful band from Redlands
The Swing - Rest in Pieces
The sad ending of San Bernardino’s Swing Auditorium
Joan Baez
Joan Baez lived and performed in Redlands
The Peasants
Colton band, The Peasants played in the I.E. in the 60’s.
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead performed 4 times at the Swing Auditorium
Creedence Clearwater Revival
CCR performed twice in the Inland Empire
Donny & The Bi-Langos
Colton band Donny & the Bi-Langos in the early 1960s
Peter Green
Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green performed in the I.E.
Jimmy Webb in Concert
Review of a recent concert with Jimmy Webb
Jeff Beck - Live In Concert
Since the 60’s, Jeff Beck performed several times in the I.E.
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix played at twice at the Swing Auditorium.
Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa’s early music career in the Inland Empire
The Contessas
The Contessas and songwriter Jimmy Webb
Jim Messina
Jim Messina started his musical career in the I.E.
Steve Hoard
Steve Hoard played in a number of I.E. bands
Jimmy Webb
Holiday music from Jimmy Webb & Otto’s Organization
More Apparitions of the I.E.
Ghost Stories from the Inland Empire
Greg Eckler
Inland Empire’s Greg Eckler
The Doors
The Doors played in the I.E. three times
The Swing
The wonderful history of the Swing Auditorium
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones first played in San Bernardino in 1964