Parkville based band featuring the lead guitar of ‘Bobby J’ Davis, with Don Rogers (bass), Tony Montone (keyboards), and Alan Klein (drums).
In February 1967 the band earned the title Band of the Month at the Fort Meade Special Services Club by winning the battle of the bands competition. Their original song “Lost in Time” was featured on the 1967 album “Baltimore Teen Beat a Go Go.”
In the early years they could be seen nightly at Schulzes Club Basement, Judges (with the Koffee Beans), Captain Harvey’s on Cross Street, and the Satyr House. Performed the entire summer of 1967 as the house band at the Beach Club in Ocean City. The group also embarked on an early 1969 European tour.
Rogers and Montone left the band in 1967 and went on to become original members of Dryed Ice, later returning to join ex-Generations and Bittersweet.
Throughout the early ‘70s the band performed as a trio, seen at places like the Escapade and the Flaming Pit featuring Bobby’s guitar along with John Armetta (bass) and Tommy Davis (drums). Rogers and Montone had gone on to form the band Bittersweet which sometimes had Bobby stand in on guitar. In 1975 Howard Brown joined the band as the new bassist. They performed an extended house band stint at the Playboy Club in Baltimore during 1975-76 and traveled to many cities across the country including many stops in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The band continued performing throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s including numerous self-sponsored dances at the Hamilton American Legion Hall.
Photo courtesy of Howard Brown
Bobby was reportedly once offered a job with Charlie Daniels but declined due to family obligations. He performed briefly with country singer Gary Morris and appeared on a Nashville TV talent show as Bob Merrick. He continued performing as Bob Merrick until his death in the late ‘90s.
Rogers also played in Monopoly, and Steppin’ Out. Montone later worked as a recording engineer at Flite Three Studios. Brown performed as a member of Taxie in the late ‘70s. He continued playing in the ‘00s with bands Borderline Express, Flipside, Sterling Rust with Walt Bailey (guitar, vocals), Mike Dixon (drums, vocals).
