“COKE”
In 1972 an unknown group of musicians from Miami Senior High were invited to
participate in a “Battle of the Bands” event at Miami Dinner Key Auditorium. The
results took everyone by surprise when little Known “Coke” were selected as co-
winners of these event and a trophy presented to them by Puerto Rico’s Diva Mirta
Silva at a special Open House event at the famous “Salon Sophia.” The garage
band formerly known as “Instant Garage” was in route to shape what it is now known
as the “Miami Sound.” With a blend of Latin Rock Originals and cover tunes, Los
Coke ruled the Open-house and Quince scene in Miami from 1973 through 1975.
It all started in late 1972 when “Coke” teamed up with an unknown song writer
“Frank Asencio” to unleash what became the #5 Album on Bill Board’s Music Chart
in 1973 “Coke”, which featured hits such as “Sabor A Mi”,”Que Seria de Mi”,
Nuestro Amor and everyone’s favorite, “Na Na” and “Bang Bang” they were all being
played at radio stations not only in Miami, but in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago
and Puerto Rico as well. The group’s members; Frank Batista ( Lead Vocals ),
Paul Garcia (Lead Guitar), Ariel Hernandez (Bass Guitar), Ruben Perez
(Drums), Joe “Tito” Rubio (Keyboards/vocals), Victor Rodriguez & Cesar
Godinez (Trumpets) and Peter Fernandez on Lead vocal never imagine the
popularity they would achieve from their hard work and dedication to their music.
Los “Coke” as they were referred to by the Latin Scene in Miami, went on to
play concerts with top recording Artists, Nelson Ned, Sophie, Alberto Vazquez, Jose
Jose, Angelica Maria and Rolando La Serie.
“Coke” in 1974 Received “El Chin” de Plata for Best Musical Group and went on to
appear with Cuban Diva “Blanquita Amaro” on her musical show at the Miami-Dade
County Auditorium and who presented us with the “Rosendo Rosell” achievement
award.
In late 1974 Los Coke were so popular that it caught the eye of the “Coca-Cola
bottling company” who was not amused about the “Coke” name being used by the
Miami group and demanded that the name “Coke” be removed from all Marketing
and Live presentations. The group had no choice at the time but to change its
name to “OPUS.” As Opus, the group welcomed former “Antiques” lead singer and
recording artist (Va Callendo una Lagrima) Frank Batista and UM Saxophonist
Chester Rosas-Guyon. Opus went on to record two Albums with such hits as
“Beware” and “Marta. Opus continued their success in the Miami Open House
scene and Private functions in Miami.
In 1975 Opus went on to perform in South Florida’s Night Clubs; Flying Machine,
The Button, The Playpen, the 747 and other Big Daddy’s clubs throughout Florida.
The members of Coke/Opus, Paul Garcia, Ruben Perez, Ariel Hernandez, Victor
Rodriguez, Cesar Godinez, Frank Batista, and Chester Rosas-Guyon went on into
other careers. Joe “Tito” Rubio and Peter Fernandez became members of the
“Antiques” and collaborated on the album “Antiques Experience” with their hit song
“Cuando Vuelva a tu Lado.”
Peter Fernandez went on to join recording Artist “Lizette” ,Anexo 3 and local Miami
group “Ecstasy” and later on made a career as a Solo Artist, with the Cruise ship
industry. Joe “Tito” Rubio in 1978 went on to join Miami’s local popular group
“Mantrap” and a prestigious career with the Miami Police Department. Joe in
2001 played with a local Miami band “Playback” performing as opening act for
“Jefferson Starship” at a Dania Beach Concert. Joe currently have collaborated
with his long time friend Nelson Correa & Mantrap on their newly released CD “Lost
Memories,” as well as doing a cameo appearance with the “Warlocks” on a benefit
concert.
In 1972 an unknown group of musicians from Miami Senior High were invited to
participate in a “Battle of the Bands” event at Miami Dinner Key Auditorium. The
results took everyone by surprise when little Known “Coke” were selected as co-
winners of these event and a trophy presented to them by Puerto Rico’s Diva Mirta
Silva at a special Open House event at the famous “Salon Sophia.” The garage
band formerly known as “Instant Garage” was in route to shape what it is now known
as the “Miami Sound.” With a blend of Latin Rock Originals and cover tunes, Los
Coke ruled the Open-house and Quince scene in Miami from 1973 through 1975.
It all started in late 1972 when “Coke” teamed up with an unknown song writer
“Frank Asencio” to unleash what became the #5 Album on Bill Board’s Music Chart
in 1973 “Coke”, which featured hits such as “Sabor A Mi”,”Que Seria de Mi”,
Nuestro Amor and everyone’s favorite, “Na Na” and “Bang Bang” they were all being
played at radio stations not only in Miami, but in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago
and Puerto Rico as well. The group’s members; Frank Batista ( Lead Vocals ),
Paul Garcia (Lead Guitar), Ariel Hernandez (Bass Guitar), Ruben Perez
(Drums), Joe “Tito” Rubio (Keyboards/vocals), Victor Rodriguez & Cesar
Godinez (Trumpets) and Peter Fernandez on Lead vocal never imagine the
popularity they would achieve from their hard work and dedication to their music.
Los “Coke” as they were referred to by the Latin Scene in Miami, went on to
play concerts with top recording Artists, Nelson Ned, Sophie, Alberto Vazquez, Jose
Jose, Angelica Maria and Rolando La Serie.
“Coke” in 1974 Received “El Chin” de Plata for Best Musical Group and went on to
appear with Cuban Diva “Blanquita Amaro” on her musical show at the Miami-Dade
County Auditorium and who presented us with the “Rosendo Rosell” achievement
award.
In late 1974 Los Coke were so popular that it caught the eye of the “Coca-Cola
bottling company” who was not amused about the “Coke” name being used by the
Miami group and demanded that the name “Coke” be removed from all Marketing
and Live presentations. The group had no choice at the time but to change its
name to “OPUS.” As Opus, the group welcomed former “Antiques” lead singer and
recording artist (Va Callendo una Lagrima) Frank Batista and UM Saxophonist
Chester Rosas-Guyon. Opus went on to record two Albums with such hits as
“Beware” and “Marta. Opus continued their success in the Miami Open House
scene and Private functions in Miami.
In 1975 Opus went on to perform in South Florida’s Night Clubs; Flying Machine,
The Button, The Playpen, the 747 and other Big Daddy’s clubs throughout Florida.
The members of Coke/Opus, Paul Garcia, Ruben Perez, Ariel Hernandez, Victor
Rodriguez, Cesar Godinez, Frank Batista, and Chester Rosas-Guyon went on into
other careers. Joe “Tito” Rubio and Peter Fernandez became members of the
“Antiques” and collaborated on the album “Antiques Experience” with their hit song
“Cuando Vuelva a tu Lado.”
Peter Fernandez went on to join recording Artist “Lizette” ,Anexo 3 and local Miami
group “Ecstasy” and later on made a career as a Solo Artist, with the Cruise ship
industry. Joe “Tito” Rubio in 1978 went on to join Miami’s local popular group
“Mantrap” and a prestigious career with the Miami Police Department. Joe in
2001 played with a local Miami band “Playback” performing as opening act for
“Jefferson Starship” at a Dania Beach Concert. Joe currently have collaborated
with his long time friend Nelson Correa & Mantrap on their newly released CD “Lost
Memories,” as well as doing a cameo appearance with the “Warlocks” on a benefit
concert.
| If you were Cuban and living in Miami during the 70s it was almost required that you had this album, as a matter of fact if you went into your closet or garage right now you would probably find a faded ,dusty copy of this record.The sound was SANTANA,Mandrill, Ocho meets a bunch of Cubans in Miami who listened to probably everything under the sun. We could all immediately identify , it was us ,the sons and daughters of Cuban Exiles on vinyl. Thanks to Joe "Tito" Rubio for his contribution . |
