There are multiple artists named "The Emperors": 1. Southern California Classic Rock band; 2. Vocal Soul group from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; 3. Black Metal Surf band. 1. Formed by Steve Watts and high school friends in the 1960's, The Emperors (later known as Emperor) quickly became a clear Long Beach favorite, playing at teen dances, concerts and other events throughout the area. They entered and won a number of Battle of the Bands and made several appearances on Sam Riddle's "9th Street West" TV dance show. As Emperor's popularity grew, the band had opportunities to share concert billing with a number of acts including Peter & Gordon, The Rolling Stones, The Righteous Brothers and later, Steely Dan. After several personnel changes, the band changed its name to Emperor during the 70’s and continued building a strong Southern California fan base. Performing regularly to packed houses at beach area hot spots like Isadore's, Joshua's and Big Daddy's made Emperor “the band to see” and a local icon. It was inevitable that the band’s combination of tight ensemble playing, versatility, superb vocals and energetic stage show would catch the eyes and ears of the recording industry. Emperor signed with RCA in 1974 and recorded a number of singles, several produced by John Ryan (Styx). Soon after, the band began to seek more artistic freedom and subsequently signed with New York based Private Stock Records. In 1977 Private Stock released the highly anticipated album Emperor, which was produced by Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise (Kiss, Gladys Knight) and engineered by Warren Dewey (Boston). The band enjoyed moderate success on the national record charts and toured the U.S. and Japan. After over twenty years of performing, and a number of personnel changes, Emperor disbanded during the 80s. But after an extremely successful reunion concert at the Galaxy Theater in 2002, the Emperors (formerly known as Emperor) are back and delighting audiences all over Southern California. The Emperors are still regarded by many as the premier classic rock band in Southern California. They are: Steve Watts (Drums / Keyboards / Vocals), Randy Budihas (Drums / Vocals), Joe Marques (Bass / Guitar / Vocals), Dave Quintana (Guitar / Vocals) and Chip Walsh (Keyboards / Harmonica / Vocals). 2. They released only four singles between '66 and '67. Contact the drummer Tyrone Moss for further information. 3. In 1959 Chip Ihsahn and Rocky Samoth met on the beach in California. They shared a love of crude reverb units, surfing, smoking illicit substances and driving cars with fake wood on the sides. The soon formed a surf band which had a variety of name changes including The Dark Devices, then The Xerasias, then The Embryonics. The group soon evolved into the now well-known band The Thou Shalt Suffers. Soon, however, Rocky Samoth began to write surf music music outside of The Thou Shalt Suffers, and together with Chip Ihsahn and a new bass player called Woody Mortiis (later of his own eponymous band The Mortiises), The Emperors was formed. The Emperors toured with fellow surf group The Cradle of Filths, and after this tour the band ceased wearing surf clothing; they stated that it was becoming a trend and losing its original significance and symbolism. In the autumn of that year, the police began to investigate the murder of Clint Euronymous of The Mayhems, naming Varg 'Kenneth' Vikernes (of The Burzums) as a suspect; this investigation eventually led to the incarceration of Rocky Samoth for arson, and of Walter Faust for the murder of Magne Andreassen. They released 'In the Surfside Sunrise' in 1964. Music and bio by MrMeddled. [Disclaimer: This is a satirical one-man cover band.] Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.