A popular Beatles tribute band featuring an original lineup of Steve Ehrenpreis (vocals), Frank Myers (guitar, keyboards ex-Deltas, Shane), Neil Kirk (guitar), Dennis Parrachi (bass), and Ron Gerber (drums ex-Undertakers). By 1975 Kirk was replaced with Tim Savin (guitar), Dennis was replaced with Jerry Schwoerer (bass ex-Shane, Queen’s Chapel), and Gerber replaced with Doug Creamer (drums ex-Moon Raiders, Rubber Band).
The group performed at many clubs in the Baltimore area and ocean resorts as well as in D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Locally they performed at Club Venus, Seagull Inn, Peddler’s Pub, Act III, Painter’s Mill, Civic Center, Toni’s Dream, Sand Bar, Stardust Inn (Waldorf), Bayou (D.C.), Spanky’s (Blacksburg, VA), Back of the Rack (Ocean City)… The Meanies made an appearance at the Tri-State DJ Convention on May 16, 1975 along with the New Diablos and City Star. Also performed at Inner Harbor Festivals, 1976 and 1977 Preakness…
In 1977 Myers left and was replaced with Chuck Ross (ex-Moon Raiders, Rubber Band, Arch Angel). Along with the addition of Peabody trained keyboard/synthesizer player Jim Shiplett (ex-A New Day, Arch Angel), the group added a new dimension and a fresh start. They continued their popular Beatles tribute shows at many Maryland and Virginia clubs and colleges. The group opened for John Mayall, and then Sha Na Na at Painter’s Mill.
Photos courtesy of Chuck Ross.
More member changes eventually took place and by late 1977 the group consisted of Ross, Shiplett, and Creamer, with Mike D’Addario (guitar), and Dave Butt (bass). This five-piece lineup completed contract obligations, culminating in their final gig at Painter’s Mill appearing with John Palumbo on New Year’s Eve 1978.
Myers and Ross performed together in the 1985 American premiere of the theater production “John, Paul, George, Ringo, and Bert.”
The Blue Meanies reunited in 1991 for a show at Timonium Fairgrounds to benefit the American Heart Association.
Myers could be seen in the ‘00s with the Satellites, and a re-formed Gigs.
Gerber returned to Atlanta where he continued playing in bands Zebra, the Retreads, and X-Connect. In the mid-‘80s he worked in Los Angeles as a movie editor. Credits include Apprentice Editor for “River’s Edge” with Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Crispin Glover. He later moved to Clearwater, Florida where he joined local blues bands and toured nationally with the Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute band Double Threat…
