Legend

Catonsville area band formerly known as the C.J. & the Rivieras. In 1964 the group became known as C.J. & the Legends. The lineup was the same except for a change on bass guitar. Members were Jimmy Hughes (guitar), Vaughn Wrightson (guitar), Gene Bracken (keyboards), Stu Wertz aka ‘Snuffy’ (bass), Mike Porter (drums), Sandy Herol (sax), Dick Porter (sax), Greg Serau (trumpet), and fronted by dynamic vocalist Chuck Jones (vocals).

Over the years the band had been building up a loyal fan base and earned the opportunity to play larger venues. The group’s big break came when they became the Wednesday night band at the Rhapsody Club sharing the same stage with the Van Dykes. Eventually they became the house band at the Satyr House on Joppa Road.

In 1966 Wertz was tragically killed while on Naval duty. Jim Hughes filled in as the bass player and Bill Krahling (formerly of the Artesians) joined as the new lead guitarist. Jones soon left the group and the band became known as simply The Legends.

Changes continued to occur as manager Walt Kraus was called away to military duty with Roy Gunther taking his place. During 1966-67 Mike Porter left the band and was followed by a succession of drummers including Barry Lloyd, John Sankonis (formerly of the Tremoloes, Rhythmaires), Bob Langley, and Jim Tilton (ex-King Solomon’s Minds). Bill Hoffman (ex-Sentries) joined the band to add some brass to their sound. In March 1967 Bracken left to join the Coast Guard and Hoffman filled in as the new keyboard player. Keyboardist Jay Williamson (later of Good News, Fancy Pants, Jeffrey…) also had a stint with the band. The horn section of Dick Porter, Sandy Herol, and Greg Serau had also left the band and was replaced with saxophonist Al Dahlstrom (later of the Sentries, Fugitives, Majestics) along with Hoffman who split time between keys and trombone.

The band continued playing local clubs with occasional road trips including a 28-week stint at the Peppermint Lounge in New York. The Legends played gigs alongside many top name artists including the Intruders, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Soul Survivors, Billy Joel’s Hassles, and many others.

In 1968, The Legends traveled to Philadelphia and recorded at Frank Virtue’s studios. Their songs “Deep Inside” – an Al Dahlstrom composition featured lead vocals by Jimmy Hughes and “Walk on The Wild Side.” were released as a single and also performed live by the Legends on The Kerby Scott Show.

The band became known as Legend in 1969. Other personnel changes took place throughout the end of the ‘60s and into the ‘70s including drummers Buzzy London (formerly of the Vicounts, Froggy & Gremlins, Circus), and then Bob Hughes (formerly of the Artesians – later of Raintree). Another former Artesian / Time Machine member Lou Branflick took over on keyboards with Lee Foy (ex-Upsetters, Time Machine) also on keys and sax. Foy was also a songwriter whose composition “SledDog” was used for opening programs on radio stations WKTK and WAYE in the early ‘70s.

Former Lafayette / Fugitive / Summer’s Misfit Tom Carson joined as lead vocalist.

For a brief period in late ’69-70 the group was known as Burning Bush…

Above Left: Jim Hughes Above right: Tom Carson

More and more the band moved away from the usual top 40 fare playing a mixture of hard rock and blues. They continued playing at the major venues around Baltimore (Club Venus, Hollywood Park, Latin Casino, Hollywood Palace, etc.) and a six-state surrounding area.

Legend’s long-time soundman was Pete Przylepa who later worked with the Steve Miller Band.  Legend split up in late 1973. A re-formed version of the band including bassist Bob Funk (ex-Del-Vikings, Verdicts, Grok) continued to play through the ‘70s. They were seen at the People’s Outing at Timonium Fairgrounds on May 26, 1974 with Bill Withers along with many local groups, also seen at Jo’s Organic Bar, the Other Place, Red Rooster…

Foy went on to join Cherry Smash. Foy, Krahling, and London later toured and recorded with Dion DiMucci and the Streetheart Band. Jim Hughes joined the Lower East Side. Krahling played for the Better Half, Lower East Side. Bracken went on to Abilene Road House. Jimmy Hughes and Bracken could be seen on occasional gigs with the Charmed Times Reunion Band who’s recording was used as the theme song for the WTMD “Echoes of the Past” show hosted by Kenny Schreiber. Bob Hughes also went on to join the Lower East Side, Jigsaw. Funk later joined Horizon. Dahlstrom later with Georgie Jessup & Jewels, Wavelength, and continued playing in the ‘00s with Mary Lou & the Untouchables. Sankonis played for Boss Company…

Legend re-formed briefly in the ‘00s with original members Hughes, Bracken, and Dahlstrom, with Vince ‘Vinnie D’ Digiosafti (rhythm guitar, lead vocals), Tom Engle (lead vocals), Marty Mettee (lead guitar, vocals), and Bob Jones (drums). Much of this lineup also doubled as the Charmed Times Reunion Band. The re-formed Legend produced a limited-edition independent CD in 2003 “Merry Christmas from Legend,” recorded at Vinnie D’s studio and mixed by Bill Pratt. Hughes was replaced with George Sievert in late 2004. The group released the CD “Final Studio Recordings” in 2006.

Legend biography excerpts from Jimmy Hughes Charmed Times article.

Record release:

1968           Pumpkin 103                Deep Inside / Walk on the Wild Side