Roughly 45 years ago after a tough day at school, kidlets switched their family's black and white or (if lucky) color TV onto KHJ-TV Channel 9 where 93/KHJ Boss Jock Sam Riddle -- alongside stunning blond go-go dancer Kam Nelson -- hosted the teenage dance show "9th Street West." One of the musical groups on that show from time to time was from Long Beach -- The Emperors -- formed by Steve Watts and high school friends.

The Emperors shared billings with acts including Peter & Gordon, The Rolling Stones, The Righteous Brothers and later, Steely Dan, went through personnel changes, changed their name to Emperor in the 1970s, disbanded in the 1980s, re-formed in 2002, and are now (again) The Emperors.

Tonight, the Emperors will perform at the NE corner of Willow St. and Studebaker Rd. Here's the band's song list...and for an audio preview, click here.

One of the Emperors' original members, Steve Watts, handles drums, keyboards and vocals. Alongside him will be Randy Budihas (Drums / Vocals), Joe Marques (Bass / Guitar / Vocals), Dave Quintana (Guitar / Vocals) and Chip Walsh (Keyboards / Harmonica / Vocals). The concert starts at 6:30 p.m.

From LBREPORT.com's small world file: Kam Nelson went on to marry Olympic champion pole vaulter Bob Segren, who today runs International City Racing which produces the Long Beach Marathon and other events. We don't know where Kam Nelson is these days but we certainly wish her the best too.

Upcoming El Dorado Park Friday night concerts are listed below...and be smart: take anti-mosquito precautions with West Nile Virus activity reported in the area (LBREPORT.com coverage, click here.)