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 famous 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.

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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 Kaiser Dome

The Kaiser Dome was the alternate venue in the Inland Empire

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

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.

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