East Baltimore based rock and roll and Beatles cover band. The group was originally formed in 1965 by Tom O’Keefe (guitar, vocals), Cecil Cellucci (guitar, vocals), and John Kotrla (bass, vocals). The three were from the Moravia area and attended Baltimore City College. The lineup was completed with Bill Kornke (lead guitarist from the Hamilton area who had previously played with the Ven-Tays), and drummer Bob Hughes (formerly of the Jaguars).
Kornke made the arrangements for the Laymen’s first appearance at the Hamilton Jr. High ‘Fall Family Frolic’ in November 1965. The program also included performances by the Lourds, Cannibals, Artesians, Dominators, and other local talent.
For the next six months the Laymen played many teen dances all across town including Herring Run, Northwood, Lansdowne, Parkside Methodist, Owings Mills Fire Hall, Steelworker’s Hall…
During the spring and summer of 1966, the Laymen secured their first night club gig as house band at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. They received glowing reviews from Jimmy Colimore in the News American.
In 1966 they added ‘Little Bob’ Posterli (keyboards) and began a successful run of performances at the top venues throughout the region including the Club Venus, Judges on Greenmount Avenue, Escapade on Belair Road, Satyr House on Joppa Road, Garden Go-Go Lounge on Pratt Street, Beach Club (on 9th Street in Ocean City), Rabbit’s Foot, and The Keg (on M Street in D.C.)…
The Laymen featured three lead singer/guitarists and always tried to feature good vocal harmonies. Their repertoire focused on the Beatles, while also including covers of the Temptations, Four Tops, Young Rascals, and other hits of the day that featured intricate vocals. The group often performed on double bills with many of Baltimore area’s top bands.
Kotrla later joined Dichotomy. Hughes went on to join Barbara & the Yellow Pages, and Dichotomy…
O’Keefe, Cellucci, and Kotrla remained friends and continued to play music together on a regular basis. In 2004 the trio recorded a CD of original material titled as a sort of homage to their original inspiration “Meet the Laymen.”
