The Soultans - Biography

The name The Soultans is a misspelling by Dionysus on their Vinyl Album and CD. The correct spelling is The Soultons.

In 1966, The Fourth Estate formed in Santa Clara, California as a four member garage band. In the Spring of 1967, vocalist Bob Watkins joined the band bringing a talent for singing Soul and R/B music. They soon changed their name to The Soultons. In 1968 they cut their first single, "Rain Down Soul" and "Baby, I Don't Know", on Bay Town Records (Hayward, Ca.). In late 1968, they added a three piece horn section. Bob left the band in the Summer of 1969. Without Bob singing Soul, The Soultons began playing less Soul music and started playing more brass influenced rock. They cut their second (and final) single, "Cloud Nine" and "Proud Mary", in the Spring of 1970 on Jaguar Records (San Jose, Ca.). The Soultons backed Rodger Collins several times. Later in 1970, they backed Odia Coates. They briefly changed their name to The Entire Phase. This was at the request of Odia's manager. They backed Odia for three weeks over the Christmas holidays at Harrah's Casino in Reno, Nevada. After that, they went back to using their original name and later broke up in the Spring of 1971.

Core Members: Bob Watkins - lead vocal, Chuck Cali - lead guitar, Armando Reyes - bass guitar, Frank Bringino - rhythm guitar and valve trombone, Chris Vasquez - trumpet, Dennis Buldo - sax and Steve Ehrat - drums.

Short Time Members: Pete Franusich - coronet, Jimmy Munoz - organ, Eric Benson - organ, Dave Daly - drums and Rich Navarro - temporary lead vocal.

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