One of Baltimore’s premier bands for over 50 years. Formed by vocalist / keyboardist Chuck Ansell (ex-Chelseas, Majestics, Alias Sheep, Coming Generation, Flying Circus). At the time Ansell was working at B&G Music on Route 40 and was looking to form a full-time band. Friends Bill Stahly and Jimmy Neeson (of the Boat) used to hang out at the store. Chuck asked if they’d be interested in starting a band. Neeson joined but Stahley was not yet old enough to join a full-time club band. Bill would later join The Ellicott Brothers, Sage… Bassist Frank Frazier was recommended by the guys over at Bill’s Music House. In the ensuing months Stahley sat in for practice sessions while they searched for a full-time drummer. Finally, Mike Flaherty (ex-Inmates) was added as the permanent drummer.
Throughout the years, the band performed for a mix of teen centers, high school dances, club engagements, and private affairs. Some appearance highlights include open air concerts at Putty Hill Park along with bands including Fragile, Cotton, Expressway, Wizard, Sage, Royal 5+1. Opened for Slade at the Eastwind on January 15, 1974 on the heels of their second Concord Records single release “Rosie (Can You Feel It).” The band played the halftime show in Memorial Stadium on June 11, 1974 for the Baltimore Comets soccer team. A 1974 concert at Atholton High School featured the band performing a ‘50s show as the Vaselineaires. They also performed annually at the Preakness Festival throughout the ‘70s. The band released a single on their Appaloosa label, two singles on the Concord label in 1973/1974, and one on SMZ in 1976. The recordings were produced by Al Cunniff and received some regional air play.
Appaloosa played in most area clubs including the Pirates Den, Squires Inn, Dulaney Inn, Sierra Club, Rhapsody, Marmadukes, Mimmie Jr.’s, the Barge, Dixie Ballroom, Patapsco Inn… The played countless teen centers, high school dances and Proms.
Over the years they appeared as the opening act for many top name bands including Slade, Starcastle, Spinners, Hall & Oates, Point Blank, Edgar Winter, and Dr. Hook. In addition to the local scene and the national tours they also flew to California where they competed on TV’s Star Search.
In 1976 the band embarked on a grand tour across the U.S. and South America. They performed at the “All American City Night” celebration at Memorial Stadium and were recipients of the Baltimore’s Best Award for rock group of the year. Also in 1976, the band released another single “Take Me with You” b/w “Steal the Night Away” on the SMZ label, engineered and produced by Adrian Barber, the legendary producer of rock greats Cream, Velvet Underground and others.
Jimmy left the band in 1977 and joined Bandit (later going on to Pinch, Mars, and Freed at Last). He was replaced with Rob Finecey (guitar ex-Visions of Red, Expedition, Silver Queen, Arch Angel).
The band traveled to New York where they did some recordings under the direction of Felix Cavaliere. Their song “Hold Me” was included on the 1978 “98 Rock Album” featuring Finecey (lead vocals, guitar), Ansell (keyboards), Frazier (bass), Flaherty (drums).
Photo courtesy of Frank Frazier.
Another original song “All Night My Friend” was included on the 1978 WKTK LP with the same line-up as noted above.
Frazier left around 1981. He later played in Shooter, Loose Lips, and in the ‘00s with Make-a-Face.
Appaloosa continued to perform into the ‘00s with Ansell and Flaherty the only two remaining original members. They could be seen at Loafers (formerly Patapsco Inn), Champions, Harbor Lights Festivals, Dundalk Heritage Festival… Other members throughout the years have included guitarists John Bell (ex-Heat & Cold Sweat Horns), Bill DiNisio, Gordon Holder. Bassists Dave Marsh, Larry Neeson (see Pynz), Tim Lawrence, Leo Kelly, Tony Cesenaro (ex-Glenn & Gemtones), Craig McFarlane, Joel Brengle. Lead vocalists Dave Fenwick, Joe Cowman, Ed Knuckey, Denny Twigg. Marsh plays in the ‘90s-00s band Time Will Tell… Bell later with Tommy Lepson Band…
Tony Cesenaro retired from Appaloosa in 2012 – just shy of 22 years with the group. He was replaced with Craig McFarlane until 2015, then Joel Brengle was bassist until their last gig on November 12, 2021.
Through Appaloosa’s amazing 50 year run they had 8 guitarists, 8 bass guitarists, and 7 lead singers. Their final lineup included original members Chuck Ansell (keyboards), and Mike Flaherty (drums), with Mark Ramsburg (guitar), Joel Brengle (bass), and Denny Twigg (lead vocals – a veteran of many groups including Trilogy, Secrets, Majestics…).
The band broke up in 2021.
Single releases by Appaloosa:
1972 Appaloosa 4272 Comet’s Theme / Comet’s Theme (instr)
1973 Concord 3 Rosie (Can You Feel It) / Saved by Rock and Roll
1974 Concord 5 Roll Me Over / Such A Woman True
As Jimmy, Chuck, Mike and Frank:
1976 SMZ 1976 Take Me with You / Steal the Night Away
