Affinity evolved from Tailwynd/Sabre, starting out as prog-rock group, later evolving to Top-40 fare. Ellsworth Hall (keys), Mark Van Natta (guitar), Bill Myers (bass), and Courtney Eckler (drums). Their 11-minute original “Melchizedek” got some airplay and group sold out Oddfellow’s Hall Towson in Feb. ‘82. Myers left soon after. Ells played keyboard bass, and group added female vocalist Erin Gill. Ells did a stint with Logos and brought into the group Chris Marks (guitar), and Erik Marks (bass). This lineup did many gigs through the Music Men Agency.
The Marks brothers left in early ’84 as Affinity reverted to their original lineup. Bassist Scott Noyle joined in late ‘84. Erin left to seek fame and fortune in New York in June ‘85. Courtney’s brother Graham filled in on keys on occasion. Mark left in March ‘86. Gary Thacker was lead singer for several months, then Mac Ford (guitar, sax, flute), and Viki Ford (keys, vocals) joined (both ex-Double Jeopardy). Mac had once been in Iguana with Graham Eckler.
Ells left in early ‘87. He recalled “I formed a duo around that time with John Walsh (Nuance) and we gigged doing cover and originals a lot playing places like Harborplace and OC Sneakers in Ocean City. By 1988 Mark, Courtney and I had been writing music together again and started doing a few little concerts as Affinity again. John Walsh joined Affinity in 1989, although Courtney was absent, and the four of us did gigs in 1990-92. Mark and I formed Affinity Music Library in 1989 as well and recorded CDs for royalty-free use by video and film producers.
John left and we did a few gigs with my best friend from high school, Joe Dwyer on sax in 1993 and 1995. But by 1994 Courtney and I had reunited with Chris and Erik…” With this lineup the group was known as Logos Affinity, or simply the Logos Band (see bio).
Noyle was also with Advantage, The Slip… The Ford’s started Dime Store Split.
