Formed in 1968 by Ed Pitman (drums ex-Uncertain Things) and Bill Short (vocals and blues harp), with Matt Siran (bass ex-Uncertain Things), Pete Wulforst (guitar), and Bill Rollins (guitar). The Glen Burnie based group started out in Pitman’s garage and became the first true blues band to play the Bluesette club in Baltimore They played mainly Chicago style blues covers including Paul Butterfield’s “Born in Chicago,” and cuts by artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, etc. Their first gig was the ‘Be-In’ at the shelter in Druid Hill Park. After a well-received opening they were followed by the Uncertain Things and then Urch Perch.
Bill Short writes “I used to play at the Bluesette. Actually, I used to live there and run the place.”
“I was in the first, all-white blues band in the Baltimore area. At least as far as we knew, “Stonebridge.” Art (Peyton – Bluesette owner) booked us for our very first gig at the Druid Hill Park Bandshell with Urch Perch. In fact, our bass player, Matt Siran, was lifted by Urch Perch about 6 months after that. We regularly played a rotation at the club with Urch Perch, and 2 or 3 other bands that Art booked. I, and the rest of another band I was in later, were responsible for bringing Nils Lofgren and Grin to the Bluesette. We played a gig with them at American University. I helped get Nils a deferment from the draft. When Art took the Urch Perch to LA to “Make it Big,” I ran the club with Henry Johnson and Dennis Wilt.”
Soon afterward Siran left to join Urch Perch and he was replaced with bass guitarist Jeff Silverman. Around this time the group shortened their name to Stonebridge.
“Somewhere in that time frame,” according to Pete, “Rich Abrams became our next drummer. Eventually, the band decided to broaden our scope from exclusively blues to other genres, and the name was shortened to “Stonebridge”. Bill Short left and a few lead singers were auditioned, but Pete and Jeff ended up sharing lead vocals.”
Larry Minotaur followed as the next drummer, and when he left he was replaced by a very young Frank Baucia. Frank’s drumming lent itself to the development of new material by groups such as Nazz, Spirit and others. Somewhere along the line, the band came to an end.”
“A little later, Bill Rollins, Jeff and Pete formed a band called “SNAFU” with Ken Wolle on drums.”
The group played several times at the ‘Collage’ at the new UMBC campus, some frat house gigs around Johns Hopkins, and a regular gig at the Bluesette.
Stonebridge also made an appearance on the Kerby Scott Show. The group performed (lip sync as was required on most TV shows) some recordings they made with George Massenberg in Cockeysville.
Wulforst was later with Quinn, OHO… Rollins was later with Howdy Duty…
Pitman went on to help form the Atlanta Blues Band. After a nine-year stint in the army then drifting around a bit, he got involved with radio station KZFR, Chico, California. There he has hosted a blues show, a call-in talk show, and a 6am morning show with a mix of music, comedy, and some guests that he likes to call “an Eclectic mix.” He also produced a show for teens, done by teens, called “Teen Talk.”
