Group formed in 1968 by Jack Bennett (bass), and Foster Peacock (drums), adding John McNulty (lead guitar), and Charlie Stagmer (lead vocal, rhythm guitar, harmonica). The band originally played R&B and Chicago Blues.
Their first audition at the Cockeysville Teen Center went over so well that, according to Peacock, the group became the first to actually get paid for their audition. Cabbage continued to perform throughout the teen center circuit with a great deal of success. In 1969 Peacock left the band and was replaced with Rocky Cox. After a few months the group split up.
Shortly afterward Peacock met guitarist Joe Farace at the music store where they were both taking lessons. They got together with McNulty and Bennett forming the second version of Cabbage. They soon added vocalist Tony Carpenter who excelled at covering artists such as Joe Cocker and Robert Plant. The new Cabbage was known as a progressive rock group. They played at Levering Hall at JHU, the Bluesette, and Chester’s Place as an advertisement proclaimed “with folk singers and a few other strange things.”
Cabbage appeared at Parkville Teen Center, Furley Rec Center, the UAW Concert Hall on a double bill with Momma Max. They also performed in a number of local concerts including the Corpus Christi Church Benefit Concert on March 14, 1971 with Joshua, Calhoun, Live Steam, Gary & Louise, and others.
Over the next year Peacock left the band twice, both times being replaced by their manager (and drummer) Herb Wall. A new keyboardist / guitarist Steve Kennedy was added. At this point there was no longer a need for two lead guitarists so Farace was let go. He went on to join Orange Wedge.
Guitarist Hiram Bullock (see bio) also played with the group. McNulty, Bennett and Peacock later joined River. Cox went on to join Hoi Polloi. Peacock went on to play for Kee, London Fog…
