Towson area R&B and Top-40 group members included Danny Shaw (lead vocals, trumpet ex-Flamingos), Henry Orpin (guitar), Sam Towers (guitar, bass ex-Dynamics, RaVons, Gary & the GTO’s), Jerry Treffinger (keyboards, lead vocals ex-Dynamics), Buddy Novak (drums), Tommy Thompson (sax, bass). The group employed a horn section from the Peabody Conservatory that included Don Lehnhoff (trombone) and Don Barto (trumpet).
In the early ‘60s Shaw worked his day job with Tangiers vocalist Richard Quarles. When they discovered that each were involved with bands, they arranged a rehearsal and ultimately formed a group that performed teen centers, CYO’s, and regular gigs at Hollywood Park. By 1965 the Tangiers moved on to join with the Jetsons.
Danny & the Elegants performed as a house band at Hollywood Park. They often appeared on double bills with Tommy Vann & the Echoes. The group doubled as the rhythm section to provide backup music for many star acts that George Mihalos booked to play at Hollywood Park. Shows often consisted of a set by Vann & the Echoes, followed by a set by the Elegants. During the break the Elegants would set up sit-down type music stands for the band in preparation for the main attraction. Some of the groups they backed included the Angels, Shirelles, Platters, Coasters, Drifters, and many others.
L-R: Treffinger, Novak, Towers, Thompson, Orpin, Shaw. Courtesy of Sam Towers
Vocalist Mike Hodgeman aka Mike Jones also fronted the band. He later joined his own band and sang for the Satins, and the Majestics. Shaw fronted the Majestics in the ‘70s. Towers later joined Flow, Touch… Thompson and Novak were both members of the Better Half. Treffinger later played for Majic. Thompson went on to play for the Con Chords, Pen Lucy, Better Half, Flywheel, Phoenix, Admirals…
