Hampden based Top-40 band. Gibby Peoples (lead vocals, guitar), Ray ‘Mouse’ Rohrback (lead guitar, vocals), Earl Haines (bass), Bill McCormick (keyboards, vocals), and Phil Morawski (drums). Peoples was later replaced with Timmy Garrity (vocals). Haines was later replaced with Charles ‘Junior’ Ertwine, but eventually returned to the group. Mike Kanapp (fill-in singer also worked concurrently with The Traditions).
The Nightwalkers started performing at carnivals, local teen centers, Redmans Hall, CYO and school dance circuits, and won Hampden’s battles of the bands in 1968. They then played venues such as Carl’s Club 33 (Hampden), Escapade (Belair Road), Judge’s (Greenmount Avenue), and the Homeland House (York Road). They recorded a demo of original song “Eternally,” along with a cover of “You Don’t Need Any Reason” at Ralph Johnson’s studio in Highlandtown, home of Dome Records.
Morawski went on to join Crossroads, Hope, Gene Vincentt & the Cadillac Cruisers, Jukebox Live, Past Time Band (featuring Bob Brady and Clyde Allen), and Full Circle. Rohrback went on to play with Warehouse, and Steppin’ Out.
Nightwalkers photos and information courtesy of Phil Morawski
