Friday, August 12, 2011

COLD WAR



  Cold War (1971/1974) was a musical group in the Miami 70's Open House era formed and created by a talented and gifted young guitarist, Richard (Kephas) Gonzalez. 
 As early as the young age of 12, with a lot of hard work and many endless nights, Richard practiced being the best guitarist that he could possibly be............. He did not fail. 
 Soon after, Richard had ideas of forming the next great band. He had the will and determination necessary to take the next step and form his music group of the future. 
Along with Richard's childhood friend Justo Sierra (the band's manager), their plan was put in motion.
 (Kephas)           
Richard Gonzalez
        
  
  
 From the start, Richard Gonzalez (Kephas) looked to form "the supergroup" and revolutionize the music industry as we all knew it.  Richard wanted a special and unique sound that came from the heart and he would settle for nothing less, it was a long and demanding chore but it was one that he was willing to take on, in his heart and soul, he had to.
 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.                            
Alex and Eli
 For the preferred few with the raw intensity and reckless abandon of hungry warriors 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. 
 Richard himself, a top-of-the-line guitar player and performer would at any moment stun an always amazed crowd with his signature behind-the-back guitar playing, as well as with picking his guitar with his teeth while sprawled on his back on stage. All of this of course without remarkably missing a beat.                           
Albert Acosta ( El Jack )
 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 always the audience was about to be stunned and surprised with the music explosion of their lives, the boos and hisses turned into cheers and applause as the band would proceed to kick major music booty each and every time.
 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 same recording studio's terms that many of the other local bands were offered (like Coke and the Antiques). These terms would have given the studio all of the earnings and netted the band nothing but publicity in return, thus killing the deal and hopes for the band's musical legacy.
Manager Justo Sierra
  Cold War was very active at its illustrious peak as they played anywhere and everywhere. The band played Open Houses, strip malls, Cruise Ships, Tele-Marathons, Night Clubs, Proms, Hoe downs, Weddings, Schools, Radio Stations, Bar Mitzvahs, 15th Birthday Galas, many outdoor beach concerts, and countless Television appearances in all of Miami's local stations. Cold War also sponsored very popular Weekly Dances in which they organized, produced, and promoted in their own Dance hall in the heart of Hialeah. 
 Cold War shared the stage with many stars of the stage, including the likes of Johnnie Ventura, Fajardo y sus Estrellas, and many other top of the line performers. One of the Bands favorite gigs was playing weekends on the rooftop by the pool of the Surfcomber Hotel in Miami Beach to overflowing and delighted crowds. Cold War was highly sought out and regarded by many in the industry as the best band in the south.
Eli
 Cold War consisted of band leader Richard Gonzalez (Kephas) on lead guitar and vocals, Alberto Acosta on bass and rhythm guitar, Phillip Alvarado, Ito Sargent (from Blue Haze) and Albert Banos on drums, Joe Sparacino and Hector Perez on bass, Alex Sanchez on keyboards, Jose Roque and Wolf on congas and frontman vocalist & entertainer, Evelio "Eli" Perez (from Blue Haze) 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", thus causing a major rift with some of the band members who wanted to play the more wildly popular top 40 disco dance selections, possibly putting a stop to Richard's vision of soulful originality.
 Not long after, one fateful night playing an Open House with the Antiques, the insults and disagreements continued, a meeting was called and Richard was voted out of the group. 
 Jimmy Feliciano replaced Richard as its lead guitarist and Albert Banos took control of the group and changed its format to the new disco sounds for the new times. 
 But this union did not last long as the band could not get it's act together and did not get any other gigs causing the collapse and end of Cold War.



11 comments:

  1. When I first met Justo, I was at playing open houses with my brother Eddy with Blue Haze. Justo must have seen one of our shows because he invited me to see his Band "Cold War" in a 15's party. At the time I was having problems with Blue Haze's musical direction and was open to a change.............. Well, the first song that Cold War played that night was Woman by Barabas, ( They had me at hello )
    If they were trying to impress me it worked, they played like no other band that I have ever seen before and I knew that I had to be part of what I saw. I will forever be great-full for them accepting me into this great band, the memories and the brilliance that I saw will always stay with me..... Eli

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  2. Scott said...
    I remember how impressed i was when i saw Cold War in some Miami Beach wedding in the early 70's. Let me just say that for me to still remember how good you guys were, is amazing in itself. You guys never recorded?

    June 20, 2012 at 3:08 PM

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  3. Caty said...
    I was in the first row when your band played in the Miami Springs High Concert in 1976? What are you guys doing now ?

    August 2, 2012 at 4:19 PM

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  4. Jorge said...
    Wow,this brings back great memories !

    September 28, 2012 at 12:26 PM

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  5. I can't believe i found this page, you guys played in my Jr. Prom!

    April 14, 2013 at 8:11 AM

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  6. Al said...
    I have a bet, did Hector Perez play bass for Cold War?

    November 13, 2012 at 7:30 PM

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  7. Today I had an awesome phone conversation with YES, Al, Hector Perez (you won the bet), Cold War's first bass player. He was one of the reasons that the band sounde amazing! He seems to be doing well and as always, a truly awesome gentleman.... Eli

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  8. Those were the days where that was the real Miami Sound. Had lots of fun and a brotherhood with all my fellow band members. Thank you Richard, you are fantastic.Thank you Ely for keeping up with a very beautiful part of our lives.............Hector Perez

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  9. Thanks Hector, you are so right. We had so much going for us, youth, talent, perseverance and a vision to create and play great music. We were FAMILY and because we were family, we became a major force and fixture in the Miami music scene. Our unity was absolutely the main reason we had that very unique and different sound that that only comes once in a lifetime to the few lucky ones. I knew the moment that I saw this great band play that I had to be part of it. Thanks for being a huge part of it my friend........................................ Your brother, Eli

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  10. RICHARD (KEPHAS) GONZALEZ - August 19, 1957-January 4, 2021

    There were a handful of people in my life that influenced me for the better, and one of them was Richard. Here's how I met him...... I remember when in the early 70s I was in another band (Blue Haze) when after a show, Cold War's manager, Justo Sierra pulled me aside and asked me if I would consider joining his band, Cold War.
    We were having some personnel problems with my band so normally I would have said thank you, but no thank you. But Justo was persistent, he kept on telling me to see them play and that I would be pleasantly surprised. After a few backs and forth, and I finally agreed.

    It was a Saturday, that I showed up at their gig, but to tell the truth, I almost did not go. The hall was packed and they were just about to start. Little did I know that I was going to be blown away by a band and its guitarist. The congas started, the drums followed, the bass joined the perfect rhythm, the organ followed, and then this heavenly guitar sound starts and boom, it began. They were playing a very popular song, at the time, Woman, by Barabas, and needless to say, Justo, sitting next to me knew that they had me, he knew it and I knew it, LOL, he saw it in my face.
    Funny they were recruiting me but halfway through the song, I felt that I was recruiting them! That's how good they were. Of course, I accepted as soon as the song was over.
    I knew right then and there that I was given a chance to be part of something great.

    From the start, Richard (Kephas) looked to form "the supergroup" and revolutionize the music industry as we all knew it. Richard wanted a special and unique sound that came from the heart and he would settle for nothing less, it was a long and demanding chore but it was one that he was willing to take on, in his heart and soul, he had to.
    From day one the search for the young untested future musical superstars was on, whatever instrument it was, he had to have the sound that would set the group apart from the many other bands. That was the way it was, as many who tried and failed to join the band found out.

    I will never forget the time that I spent with him and our brothers in the group, I was part of something great and we all knew it, and it was because of Richard. I will forever remember him and the many fantastic moments that we shared writing original material and discussing our future as a group. There's more but space is limited here.

    My condolences and prayers go to his amazing family, friends, and fellow musicians.
    I know, that I am a better person today for knowing Richard and I will never forget him. Never!
    Rest in Peace, my Brother, I love you. God bless..........

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