Formed in 1961 as a result of jam sessions organized at St. Rose of Lima CYO in Brooklyn. Original members included Larry Lingg Jr. (lead vocals), Shelley Hopkins (guitar), Gerry Ingley (piano), and a drummer. After a couple successful jams, guitarist John Nowakowski and drummer Roger Helmers were added as the group became a band calling themselves the Emeralds. Soon afterward Gene Meros (tenor sax) joined the group.
The Emeralds began playing Top-40 music at local teen centers and CYO’s. Upon hearing of another local band with the same name the members decided to rename the group Shelley’s Emeralds after the group leader Hopkins. In 1962 Nowakowski left due to health reasons and was replaced with Norm Seifert. Helmers also left with John Ruskoscus joining as the new drummer. The group also added Larry Prascus aka ‘Limey’ (alto sax), and Richard Barthalow (trombone). In early 1963 Bill Bacon aka ‘Buzzy’ (bass) was also added to the group.
While playing a Christmas office party for Alex Brown & Sons (where some of the members were employed) at Vellegia’s, A fellow employee Donna Marie Abramo asked if she could sing a couple songs with the group. Her performance was a hit and she was asked to join the group.
Below left: Donna Marie Below right: Donna Marie and Frank. Photos courtesy of Frank Primestein
In 1964 they added trumpet player Bob Sanner. Ruskoscus left the band being replaced with drummer Richard Spicer – a cousin of Donna Marie. Seifert left and was replaced with Bob Meyers (lead guitar), and Nowakowski returned permanently replacing ‘Buzzy’ on bass.
During this period Shelley’s brother Joe Hopkins worked as booking agent and public relations for the group. He contacted WCAO who booked the band for a dance at the New Windor Fire Hall with emcee Johnny Dark. The band soon began appearing around the state with WCAO personalities Dark, Les Alexander, Jack Edwards, Paul Rodgers, and Kerby Scott. They performed at the Dixie Ballroom, Annapolis Armory, Milford Mill Swim Club, and many teen centers, CYO’s, schools and fire halls.
A large record hop at the Ellicott City Armory in early ‘64 became a defining moment for the band. All the WCAO personalities were there to emcee the dance with special guests to include Jimmy Velvet, Al Martino, and Link Wray. When the turntable malfunctioned, Shelley’s Emeralds were asked to start playing for the already packed house. Since a turntable still was not available when it was time to bring on the guests, first up Jimmy Velvet would have to sing his songs “live.” The group was asked to back up Jimmy who sang his hit “We Belong Together.” They also backed some other singers until someone arrived from the radio station with another turntable.
The group continued to play WCAO record hops appearing with Lou Christie, Pixies Three, Ronnie Dove, and many others. The group also began to play clubs including Club Venus, Denny’s Tavern, Club 40, and Hollywood Park where they played between sets for Tommy Vann & the Echoes.
Donna later left to pursue a solo career (see Donna Marie) later returning to the area to sing with the Uptowns, and the Scottsmen.
Ingley, Prascus, and Barthalow left during the summer of ‘65 and saxophonists George Stelmach, and Mike Konski joined the band. With this line-up the group began playing more weddings and adult dances. Gene Meros oversaw the brass arrangements which enabled the band to play dance band classics as well as Top-40 and rock music. The group expanded to ten pieces with Gene’s brothers Stanley Meros (trumpet), and Mike Meros (piano, accordion) joining. Lingg soon left and trumpet player Bob Sanner took over most of the vocals.
The line-up at the peak of the dance band years ‘65-66 was Stanley Meros (1st trumpet), Sanner (trumpet, lead vocals), Stelmach (1st alto sax), Gene Meros (2nd alto sax), Konski (3rd alto sax), Stanley Seratzki (4th tenor sax), Mike Meros (piano, accordion), Hopkins (guitar, vocals), Nowakaowski (bass), and Rich Spicer (drums).
Courtesy of Shelley Hopkins
The popularity of the group increased as they performed many wedding receptions, bull roasts, proms, private affairs at various country clubs, yacht clubs, American Legions, Elks Clubs, Eastwind, Martin’s West, etc. – dates were often booked a year in advance. They continued with these types of upscale functions throughout the remaining history of the group.
By the summer of 1967 the three Meros Brothers decided to perform only with their family group. A few others also decided to move on in order to play more rock/soul oriented material. Due to the difficulties of booking a ten-piece band they continued with seven pieces with Bob East joining as lead trumpet player. During this time the group also went through several lead singers.
Courtesy of Shelley Hopkins
Other than that, the line-up stayed fairly constant through 1972 with the exception of tenor sax. ‘Limey’ rejoined the band for two years. He was eventually replaced with Ed Boulson. Jay Berwanger replaced Sanner on trumpet in ‘69, and Joe Hopkins became the lead vocalist in 1970.
In 1972 Shelley decided to quit due to health reasons and announced his last gig would be the 1972 New Year’s Eve dance. Harris Blackwell joined as guitarist.
By the end of 1973 Nowakowski, Spicer, and Boulson left. East left in 1974. The group became known as Emerald in 1975-76. In the summer of ‘76 Joe Hopkins left to form Lite n’ Easy, thus signaling the end of the original Shelley’s Emeralds. The group continued with different membership until the mid-’80s. There were many other members that came and went over the years including Don Powell (guitar ex-Satellites), Dawn Winkler (vocals), and Richard Winkler (tenor sax ex-Galaxies) – both went on to join As You Like It in 1969. Dawn (Carey) also went on to join the New Diablos, and Paper Cup.
Shelley later returned to music as a member of Lite n’ Easy, Easy Street, Don Roberts Dance Band, the Breakers, and Lou Mann’s Dance Band. In the ‘00s he could be seen with Railway Express – an acoustic and pop rock group that performed on train excursions.
Mike Meros and Gene Meros went on to perform with top national groups (see Meros Brothers). Bob Meyers went to Las Vegas where he worked with many top performers including Frank Sinatra. Prascus played with the Casuals. Seifert played with many local bands including the Brass Rail, Iguana, Chapter IV, City Lights… In the ‘00s Stelmach played for Robin & the Rhythmix.
Excerpts from “History of Shelley’s Emeralds” by Mary Ann Townsend.
