Cold War was a musical super-group in the Miami 70's open house era formed and created by
band leader Richard Gonzalez and managed by Justo Sierra.
From the start Richard Gonzalez looked to form "the super group" and revolutionize music as
we knew it. Richard himself a top of the line guitar player and performer wanted a special and
unique sound that came from the heart, it was a long and demanding chore but it was one that
he was willing to take on.
From day one the search for the young untested future superstars was on, whatever instrument
it was, he had to have the "unique" sound apart from the many other bands, that was the way it
was as many who tried and failed to join the band found out.
For the preferred few with the raw intensity and reckless abandon of untested pioneers out to
conquer the musical world lucky enough to be part of Cold War, the journey was both inspiring
and rewarding, they found a deep and soul filled satisfaction of knowing that they were part of
something great that will never be forgotten.
One of the band's maverick traits before performing anywhere was to meditate for one minute
before they started to play, this allowed them to be at the next level of the group's soulful
preparation, that did not sit well with some in the crowd....... but as the band began to play, the
audience was about to be surprised and stunned with the music explosion of their lives, the
boos and hisses turned into cheers and applause as the band proceeded to kick major music
booty.
The band was offered a recording deal with M & M Records and Justo Sierra, the band's
manager at the time declined to accept the recording studio's terms and thus killed the deal and
hopes for the band's musical legacy.
From the open houses to the many proms, telemarathons, weddings, many 15's parties and the
many weekends playing by the pool of the Surcomber Hotel in Miami Beach to overflowing and
delighted crowds, Cold War was highly sought out and regarded by many as the best band in
the south.
Cold War consisted of band leader Richard Gonzalez on lead guitar and vocals, Alberto Acosta
on bass and rhythm guitar, Phillip Alvarado and Albert Banos on drums, Hector Perez on bass,
Alex Sanchez on keyboards, Jose Roque and Wolf on congas and Eli Perez on lead vocals.
The journey however took a detour with the beginning of the disco era with Richard wanting to
play a "more meaningful music" causing a major rift with some of the band members who
wanted to play more modern top 40 selections thus putting a stop to Richard's vision of soulful
originality.............so after one fateful practice full of arguments and disagreements, a meeting
was called and Richard was voted out of the group, Jimmy Feliciano replaced Richard as it's
lead guitarist and changed it's format to the new disco sounds of the new age, but this union did
not last long as the band did not get any other gigs causing the collapse and end of Cold War.
But Richard was not to be denied and formed Illumination, this group consisted of band leader
Richard Gonzalez on lead guitar and vocals, Adrian Garcia on bass, Sean Moore on drums, Wolf
( who came up with the name of Illumination ) on congas, Anthony Fortuna on the keyboards
and soon after Eli Perez ( lead vocals ) joined the group.
Justo Sierra came back as manager of the new group for a short while as he was soon replaced
by Pedro and Julia Padron who suggested to give the band a new look, adding a salsa blend to
an already full musical repertoire, this move was thought to be necessary to enlarge the band's
horizons, they also made it a point to reinvent Eli from a hard rocker to a crooner bolero style
singer in which he quickly adapted and excelled with beautiful spanish love songs that were
simply amazing.
The band's unique energy filled songs which included many original tunes were featured many
times on the Channel 23 shows of Blanquita Amaro and Armando Rodriguez, getting many rave
reviews was the band's original spanish version of "Solo un Beso", the band's lead vocalist Eli
Perez was also featured in the band's version of Armando Manzanero's Adoro, delighting the
ladies and giving the band another musical dimension in it's arsenal for future venues.
Illumination went on to be one of six finalists amongs hundreds of other bands for the 1975's
South Florida Y-100's Battle of the Bands, competing for a record deal with a major label, the
group was told by some of the judges that they were the best and most original and were the
heavy favorites to win it all, but politics and behind the scene deals ended that dream.
Although Cold War / Illumination did nor reach their expected goals, they will forever live in the
hearts and minds of the lucky few that saw this great band.
This is our attempt to make things right and put Cold War / Illumination where it belongs, among
the great bands of the open house era.
Evelio Perez - Cold War/ Illumination
band leader Richard Gonzalez and managed by Justo Sierra.
From the start Richard Gonzalez looked to form "the super group" and revolutionize music as
we knew it. Richard himself a top of the line guitar player and performer wanted a special and
unique sound that came from the heart, it was a long and demanding chore but it was one that
he was willing to take on.
From day one the search for the young untested future superstars was on, whatever instrument
it was, he had to have the "unique" sound apart from the many other bands, that was the way it
was as many who tried and failed to join the band found out.
For the preferred few with the raw intensity and reckless abandon of untested pioneers out to
conquer the musical world lucky enough to be part of Cold War, the journey was both inspiring
and rewarding, they found a deep and soul filled satisfaction of knowing that they were part of
something great that will never be forgotten.
One of the band's maverick traits before performing anywhere was to meditate for one minute
before they started to play, this allowed them to be at the next level of the group's soulful
preparation, that did not sit well with some in the crowd....... but as the band began to play, the
audience was about to be surprised and stunned with the music explosion of their lives, the
boos and hisses turned into cheers and applause as the band proceeded to kick major music
booty.
The band was offered a recording deal with M & M Records and Justo Sierra, the band's
manager at the time declined to accept the recording studio's terms and thus killed the deal and
hopes for the band's musical legacy.
From the open houses to the many proms, telemarathons, weddings, many 15's parties and the
many weekends playing by the pool of the Surcomber Hotel in Miami Beach to overflowing and
delighted crowds, Cold War was highly sought out and regarded by many as the best band in
the south.
Cold War consisted of band leader Richard Gonzalez on lead guitar and vocals, Alberto Acosta
on bass and rhythm guitar, Phillip Alvarado and Albert Banos on drums, Hector Perez on bass,
Alex Sanchez on keyboards, Jose Roque and Wolf on congas and Eli Perez on lead vocals.
The journey however took a detour with the beginning of the disco era with Richard wanting to
play a "more meaningful music" causing a major rift with some of the band members who
wanted to play more modern top 40 selections thus putting a stop to Richard's vision of soulful
originality.............so after one fateful practice full of arguments and disagreements, a meeting
was called and Richard was voted out of the group, Jimmy Feliciano replaced Richard as it's
lead guitarist and changed it's format to the new disco sounds of the new age, but this union did
not last long as the band did not get any other gigs causing the collapse and end of Cold War.
But Richard was not to be denied and formed Illumination, this group consisted of band leader
Richard Gonzalez on lead guitar and vocals, Adrian Garcia on bass, Sean Moore on drums, Wolf
( who came up with the name of Illumination ) on congas, Anthony Fortuna on the keyboards
and soon after Eli Perez ( lead vocals ) joined the group.
Justo Sierra came back as manager of the new group for a short while as he was soon replaced
by Pedro and Julia Padron who suggested to give the band a new look, adding a salsa blend to
an already full musical repertoire, this move was thought to be necessary to enlarge the band's
horizons, they also made it a point to reinvent Eli from a hard rocker to a crooner bolero style
singer in which he quickly adapted and excelled with beautiful spanish love songs that were
simply amazing.
The band's unique energy filled songs which included many original tunes were featured many
times on the Channel 23 shows of Blanquita Amaro and Armando Rodriguez, getting many rave
reviews was the band's original spanish version of "Solo un Beso", the band's lead vocalist Eli
Perez was also featured in the band's version of Armando Manzanero's Adoro, delighting the
ladies and giving the band another musical dimension in it's arsenal for future venues.
Illumination went on to be one of six finalists amongs hundreds of other bands for the 1975's
South Florida Y-100's Battle of the Bands, competing for a record deal with a major label, the
group was told by some of the judges that they were the best and most original and were the
heavy favorites to win it all, but politics and behind the scene deals ended that dream.
Although Cold War / Illumination did nor reach their expected goals, they will forever live in the
hearts and minds of the lucky few that saw this great band.
This is our attempt to make things right and put Cold War / Illumination where it belongs, among
the great bands of the open house era.
Evelio Perez - Cold War/ Illumination
I never really heard of this band until I was contacted by one of it;s members. Speaking to my
good friend Ramon Mejido of Majesty, he recalls seeing this band and was impressed by
their talent. I think they were mainly in the Hialeah area.
good friend Ramon Mejido of Majesty, he recalls seeing this band and was impressed by
their talent. I think they were mainly in the Hialeah area.
I’m inspired by your site Alex – the pics of Heaven show Tony
playing the L6-S I sold him! LOL
I was honored to play with many musicians of that era…Paco and
Rali (Pearly Queen) and established deep friendships with many – it
was *so* joyful to hear/see Chebi (Antiques) playing jazz at “Fanny’s
Attic” ( a Holiday INN near Ft. Lauderdale Airport )!
My last experience with Alex (Clockwork) was pretty depressing …
ROFL …but I don’t hold that against him. LOL Peter Marr, Joey,
Gary (Cache) Rob Rabel, Rali, Paco (a GREAT New Years Eve on
South Beach !), Gloria, Nico Membiela, Johnny Ventura, Fajardo
(Gloria’s dad), Julio Iglesias, Lissette and so many more that I was
honored to share the stage with…you’re doing a great thing here
Alex – Peace be with you!
Kephas
(Richard Gonzalez)
http://www.myspace.com/kephasmusic
playing the L6-S I sold him! LOL
I was honored to play with many musicians of that era…Paco and
Rali (Pearly Queen) and established deep friendships with many – it
was *so* joyful to hear/see Chebi (Antiques) playing jazz at “Fanny’s
Attic” ( a Holiday INN near Ft. Lauderdale Airport )!
My last experience with Alex (Clockwork) was pretty depressing …
ROFL …but I don’t hold that against him. LOL Peter Marr, Joey,
Gary (Cache) Rob Rabel, Rali, Paco (a GREAT New Years Eve on
South Beach !), Gloria, Nico Membiela, Johnny Ventura, Fajardo
(Gloria’s dad), Julio Iglesias, Lissette and so many more that I was
honored to share the stage with…you’re doing a great thing here
Alex – Peace be with you!
Kephas
(Richard Gonzalez)
http://www.myspace.com/kephasmusic
Adrian (RIP) on bass, Sean on drums, Eli on
vocals and Anthony (The Wap) Fortuna on
keyboards....Richard was to the left of Anthony
vocals and Anthony (The Wap) Fortuna on
keyboards....Richard was to the left of Anthony
