San Antonio’s iconic Royal Jesters are celebrating a major milestone as their landmark debut album, We Go Together, turns 60 with its first-ever official remastered and expanded reissue. Originally released in 1965, the project remains a cornerstone of the city’s beloved “West Side Sound,” a soulful blend of Doo-Wop, R&B, and Chicano expression that helped shape the identity of Texas music.
Led by Henry Hernandez, Oscar Lawson Jr., and Louie Escalante, the Royal Jesters burst onto the scene as teenage trailblazers, filling school dances, clubs, and jukeboxes with smooth harmonies and heartfelt street-corner charm. Their debut album captured the spirit of San Antonio’s Westside during a golden era of cultural creativity, blending American soul with a uniquely Chicano sensibility that resonated far beyond their hometown.
Six decades later, We Go Together returns with the respect and care it deserves. The anniversary edition features a fresh remaster by Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves at Osiris Studio in Los Angeles, restoring the warmth and emotional depth that defined the original vinyl. Fans also get two newly added bonus tracks — “Wisdom of a Fool” and “My Love, My Love” — expanding the album’s legacy with rare gems from the group’s early years.
The reissue also highlights the remarkable musicianship that shaped the Royal Jesters’ sound. In addition to Hernandez, Lawson, and Escalante, the band included standout players such as Igancio “Pache” De La Vega (guitar), Chale Cruz (bass), Manuel “Bones” Aragon (drums), Luvine Elias Jr. (organ & keyboard), Tony Peña (bass), Victor Alvarado (trumpet), Jerry Aguirre (trumpet), and Alex Hernandez (sax). Together, they crafted arrangements that blended soulful rhythms with Chicano roots in a way that became instantly recognizable — and deeply influential.
To honor the Royal Jesters’ beginnings at San Antonio’s Lanier High School, the anniversary release features a limited Lanier Voks “Pride of the Westside” colored vinyl, adding a nostalgic and highly collectible touch for longtime fans and vinyl enthusiasts. The album also includes unlimited streaming via the Bandcamp app, along with high-quality MP3, FLAC, and additional download formats.
From teenage heroes to cultural architects, the Royal Jesters helped define an era and inspire generations of musicians across Texas and beyond. Sixty years after its debut, We Go Together remains a timeless reminder of the soul, pride, and creativity that shaped the West Side Sound — and the community that continues to keep it alive.
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Thanks for this story. I host a 52 year old radio show here in Connecticut and really like the Royal Jesters. I would love to interview them on my show. You can reach me at rockinrichardradio@yahoo.com or 203-484-2023 I am on Tuesdays 7pm to 9pm http://www.wnhu.org, Again thanks for the informative story.
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