Rock & roll / R&B band from the Middle River area. An early lineup featured Barry Hart (lead guitar), Carl Kelly (rhythm guitar), Ronnie Ross (drums), and Kitty Hamlin (lead vocals). Kelly was replaced with Bill Shaw around 1962. The group added Charlie Messenger (bass, trombone), Al Baumgart (trumpet, piano), and Clarence ‘Butch’ Williamson (tenor sax). Hart eventually left the group and was replaced with Ed Murray as new lead guitarist. Baumgart later left and was replaced with Bill Winkler (Richard’s brother) on piano. They performed at teen dances and as house band at Hausslingers (later became the Seagull Inn).
Charlie recalled “in the summer of 1963 we were playing at the Rosedale Swim club, our last job, and it just so happened that Fred Allen was there. We were talking to him and told him we were breaking up that night. He said he had a couple of other friends whose band just broke up and we all joined forces and formed the “Jetsons”.
Hart went on to join the Chevelles. Williamson later played for the Admirals… Baumgart co-wrote “Lonesome Pines” a song recorded by Little Jimmy Lee & the Countrykins. He played for the Carousels, and in ‘00s was a member of Flashback…
Clarence ‘Butch’ Williams, Charlie Messenger, Courtesy of Barry Hart
Photos courtesy of Barry Hart.
