Group name came from the phrase “Expressway to Reality.” A hard rock band fronted by guitar wizard Dale Coleman (ex-Fugitives, Professionals, Ulysses), Bob Bartlett (bass ex-Souls of Britton), and Gary Chalmers (drums ex-GTO’s, Fugitives, Ulysses). The group was seen at Kale’s on Belair Road.
Gary, who had been working with Phil Collector producing local records by And the Echoes on the Soultrain and Pulse labels, soon left the group to manage A&C Talents. The agency began by exclusively booking Expressway. He expanded it to include many other bands. They later created the Music Lovers of America, and Music Men Talent Agencies. Chick Padeletti took over on drums. Eventually Bartlett left (joining Seventh See) and was replaced with Gary Dorschell (Edwards) on bass guitar (ex-Upsetters), and Chick (later with Better Half) was replaced on drums by Andy Armetta. (ex-Exit).
Expressway featured Dale’s daring guitar fire act. They opened for the up-and-coming band Aerosmith at the ‘Happening ’73’ concert at the Civic Center, and opened for Badfinger and Edgar Winter in concerts at Calvert Hall and UMBC. They also participated in many of the area’s large local band extravaganza’s including the June 4, 1972 Putty Hill free concert with Aux, Coyote, Legend, Grok, and Felix, and the Putty Hill Park Concert on Sunday June 2, 1974 with Fragile, Kotton, Appaloosa, Joshua, and Wizard. They also played at the Bel Air Armory on October 12, 1973 with Ishmael Day. The group played many local teen centers and school dances. On local television they made an appearance on WBAL-TV on Tuesday Oct 17, 1972.
Expressway did some studio work including their reworking of Terry Reid song “Tinker Taylor.”
O.C. Music Fest ad, 1973
Coleman’s health caused him to drop in and out of the band through the years. The group made a comeback and performed the last Putty Hill Park concert, a show where the crowd ended up in a huge brawl.
Armetta left the group in 1974 joining Apricot Brandy.
In 1975 the band Oah’s Nark merged with Coleman and continued performing locally. Members during the mid-‘70s included Ed Haywood (drums), Steve Fauth (guitar), and Mark Weil (bass). Gary Fuchs was a roadie and Rich Williams managed the group.
The next incarnation named the Dale Coleman Revue featured Coleman (guitar), Frank Barranco (bass), Denny Mainhart (drums), Jimmy Rossi (sax ex-Dichotomy…), Mike Essig (keys)… This group played Top-40 and disco. After Denny went out again, Frank carried on the band shortening the name to D.C. Revue (see bio).
A chop-shopped version of the band Expressway played frequently in Fells Point and South Baltimore clubs throughout the mid-‘90s featuring a lineup of Coleman (lead guitar, vocals), Greg Brecker (rhythm guitar, vocals), John Cochran (bass, keyboards ex-Two Stoned Kids, Down ‘n’ Dirty), and Matt ‘Pineapple’ Gongong (drums). Jack Armetta replaced Cochran in 1993.
Coleman passed away in February 2007 after a long battle with Crohn’s disease.
Fauth later played in ‘00s band Southpaw…
