The Grapes of Wrath originated in Parkville in 1965 and soon began playing many teen centers and school dances. The band was formed by Gary Ensor (drums) and Randy Jenkins (bass) – both formerly of the Fury’s. The original line-up also consisted of Buddy Messick (lead guitar), Roland Moskal (bass), and Denny Waynick (rhythm). Over the years they were fronted by several female singers including Joanne Zang and Carole Zuskin.
Ensor went into the Marine Corps in 1967 and was replaced with drummer Tom Wilhelm. After a four-year hitch Ensor returned to the group and Wilhelm went on to join the Moosical Migraine. Bassist Tom Alt joined the group and Moskal became lead vocalist.
In the late ‘60s the band played “underground – psychedelic – top 60” sounds. They recorded two unreleased demos “Make Love New Love” and “London Fog” both songs written by Ensor.
The band evolved into a top-notch Top-40 cover band. With the “ability of raisin’ hell” they could be seen at All Saints CYO, St. Charles CYO, Reisterstown Teen Center, Zoo Club, Oakleigh T.C., Perry Hall T.C., St. Ursula’s Church… also “squashed it to you” at the Coffee Grounds, high school dances, frat parties (Balto area, U of Delaware, U of W. Virginia, Bucknell…), and many proms… Seen at Club Lakewood (Martinsburg WV), Latin Casino, Hollywood Palace, Seagull Inn, Kales, Sperl’s, Top of the John (upstairs at the Howard Johnson in Laurel)… They were house band at Keystone along with Good & Plenty, and at Tiffany’s (in D.C.) where they were house band for a full year along with “their Lemon Extract,” a female lead attraction added to the group by the Fred Tyler booking agency. In the Fall of 1969, two members left to form the group Rummage. Bassist Angelo Grandinetti joined the band.
The Grapes of Wrath was represented at times by the Starleigh, Marmic, and Majestic agencies in the ‘70s. On March 7, 1971 they performed at the Langley Auditorium at the University of Maryland as the opening act for Country Joe McDonald.
Through the ‘70s the group fluctuated between a seven-piece and a five-piece band. The early-’70s members included original member Moskal, along with Ken Myers (guitar), Doug Mohn, Johnny Mohn (guitar ex-Ozz), Bob Perry (guitar ex-White Light), and Alan Schwartz (bass).
In September 1977 they played their last gig together. The membership had been fairly stable during their last five years including the final line-up of Moskal (lead vocals), Ensor (drums), Alan Schwartz (bass), Frank Grande (keyboards), and Johnny Mohn (lead guitar).
Frank and Johnny went on to join Gyro (which later became the backing band for Joanne Dodds).
