Member Larry Simpkins’ response to my questions about a Noblemen acetate disc “Actually, that Monumental acetate was my group ‘The Noblemen of Towson.’ I wrote “Come on Home” with Steve Sandebeck at age 12. That group consisted of Steve Sandebeck aka ‘Stevy Sands’ (vocals ex-Contours), Larry Simpkins (guitar ex-Contours), Mark Ammon (organ), Paul Anecharico (bass), Lee Ogburn (saxophone), and Fran Morfe (drums).”
“My father, Larry ‘Big Lar’ Simpkins was our manager. We also did recordings with Joey Welz. He was sort of a Jerry Lee Lewis type of character if I remember right…”
Larry also noted that the Noblemen did another record “Open the Door to Your Heart” with the later group additions of Alan Eberwein (trumpet) and Larry Sherman (trombone).
Upon discovering this website, Noblemen keyboardist Wayne Clark remarked that “it brought back such a flood of nostalgia of people, places, all triggered by music, dances, parties, witnessing the performances that left lifelong impressions and memories…
“Wayne recalled the Towson based ‘Noblemen of Soul Band’ covering the soul radio hits of the day. In addition to the members noted by founder Larry Simpkins, Wayne recalled others including himself (keyboards), Bob Gelotte (drums), Rick Davey (guitar), Jeffrey Lees (trumpet), Will Lloyd (trumpet), Tom Pilsch (sax), Jim Pritchard (trombone), Charlene Tragas (vocals), Chip King (bass).”
“After Larry, Jr. and the other guys left the Noblemen, I guess it was Steve who rebuilt the band to include the guys in the photo (with drummer Bob Gelotte – not pictured). I joined the band in the summer after my junior year…”
“Mr. Simpkins Sr. continued to manage the band. What a great dude! He never asked for a dime for all of his work and was at every gig. We played almost every Friday and Saturday night with Sunday rehearsals, or once a month Sunday afternoon church dance. Big Larry kept us booked.”
“The Noblemen performed teen centers (Hampton, Rogers Forge, Perry Hall, Villa Cresta…), CYO’s (Immaculate, Sacred Heart…), Church dances (Redeemer, Towson Presbyterian, Towson Methodist…), High schools (Towson Prom, Towsontowne, Towson Catholic, Kenwood…), Swim Clubs (Hampton, Campus Cabana, Stoneleigh, Beaver Dam…), Country clubs (Sparrows Point, Valley, JCC, Har Sinai…), cotillions and private parties… “We appeared on the Kerby Scott TV show and we recorded in a studio on Charles Street two covers – “A Love That Is Real” (Intruders) and “Everlasting Love” (Robert Knight).”
“Most of the band graduated in 1968 and went off to college. We got together the next summer, played some gigs and then moved on with life…”
“Pilsch later played with Nicky C. & the Chateaux. Pritchard went on to play with The Esquires, and The Deltas. Larry Simpkins, Jr., and Larry Sherman went to the Jetsons & Tangiers, Lee Ogborn went to The Lafayettes.”
During his college years Wayne “jammed with a lot of folks… played guitar with blues and bluegrass groups – Mount Vernon Art Guild… sat in with friends at Mimmie Lorenzo’s on Harford Road with Will Nauman, Gordon Michaels, Sonny Clutter, Dennis Dahoff, Roger Pace, Bobby Berger and a bunch of talented folks…” He later joined the Annapolis based jazz/pop group Baraka, and went on to play in bands in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma… “As a buddy once said ‘You’re a lifer.'” He continues to play music (keyboards and guitar) in his Oklahoma City based $3 Bill Band.”
Among other accomplishments, Wayne co-produced the historical musical “Viva Santa Fe!”, which aired at the 1992 World’s Fair, and theaters in the U.S. and Spain.
Bob Gelotte, later known as ‘Gunnar’ Gelotte went on to become a songwriter and studio session drummer in Nashville and New York (also playing guitar, keyboards, and vocals) and appeared on recordings from country to soul. He toured with Dave Loggins (‘Please Come to Boston’). A short list of recording credits include 1978 Bobby Bare LP “Sleeper Wherever I Fall” (Columbia), 1979 Steve Forbert LP “Jackrabbit Slim” (Epic), 1980 Carol Chase LP “The Chase Is On” (Casablanca), 1980 Jimmy Hall LP “Touch You” (Epic), 1982 Jimmy Hall LP “Cadillac Tracks” (Epic), 1982 Bobby Jones & New Life LP “Soul Set Free” (Myrrh).
