Posted By Chris Conde – SACurrent.com – Photo: Josh Huskin.
Photo: Vernon “Spot” Barnett
San Antonio music legend Vernon “Spot” Barnett died in his East Side home. In the ’50s and ’60s, the saxophonist led the 20th Century Orchestra, the house band at the East Side’s storied Ebony Lounge. He also performed with noted artists including Bobby “Blue” Bland and Ike and Tina Turner. Barnett is noted for helping pioneer the musical form known as Chicano Soul or the Westside Sound, an amalgamation of blues, conjunto, R&B and rock ‘n’ roll. It was defined by acts such as Sunny and the Sunliners, the Royal Jesters and the Dell-Kings.
