The Artelles were formed in 1963 in the Hamilton / Parkville area by Tommy DiMarco (lead vocals), and Fran Schindler (lead guitar). They soon added Jimmy Schindler (drums), Mark Sindall (rhythm guitar), Thom Mulgrew (bass guitar), Phil Yost (tenor sax), and Chuck Volpe (trumpet). They early years also featured the female vocal quartet of Sue Costello (lead), and backing vocals by Janice DiMarco, Linda Mulgrew, and Linda Shields.
Other mid-’60s members included Bert Kelly (keyboard, sax), Geoff Jones (trumpet)…
The most successful Tommy & the Artelles group consisted of DiMarco, Mulgrew, Yost, with Paul Watkins (lead guitar), Don Wimbrough (keyboards, vocals ex-Road Runners), Mike Kraus (drums), and Jerry Sokol (alto sax).
The band was very popular at teen dances. Performances included a gig at the Ellicott City Armory on February 4, 1967 hosted by WCAO air personalities Paul Rodgers, and Frank Luber. Often seen at The Zoo, they were one of ten bands to appear at the Zoo’s St. Jude Parade of Stars on April 17, 1968. The band also performed at the Sierra Torch Club on Dorsey Road.
In 1968 the group started to fall apart. Don left to form Paper Cup. There were personnel changes and several attempts to keep the group going. Drew Bauer joined as the new keyboard player. Soon thereafter Tommy joined the National Guard and had to leave the group. Mike Kraus was soon to follow. The remaining group became known as “And the Artelles” just like “And the Echoes” had done after Tommy Vann left.
Former Delta’s lead singer Tom Engle joined the group in 1969 taking DiMarco’s place. The group later became known as Extra Dry.
In the ‘70s some of the original Artelles got back together as the group Stoneberry. DiMarco later returned to the music scene joining the Premiers, out of which came the Stoneberry Blue. Bauer went on to play in the Gigs, Hinge, Denny & the Hitchhikers, and Good & Plenty. Yost was later with United Endeavor
