Rock and roll group formed by members of the ‘70s band Crossroads and led by Bert Zimmerman a.k.a. Gene Vincentt (guitar, keyboards, drums ex-Rockin’ Aires, Notables, Mo-Jos, Majic, Crossroads). It was in Crossroads that Bert began using the moniker Gene Vincentt (see Crossroads).
The original concept of the group developed from a well-received performance in which they took the stage clad as ‘50s style greasers with slicked back hair, white tee shirts and leather jackets. They called themselves Gene Vincentt & the Do-Was.
For the next twelve years the retro oldies group also known as the Juke Box Revue was fashioned after the oldies group Sha Na Na. As a glitter and Vegas style show band they continually molded their style into a composite of all the nationally known acts that they performed with, incorporating bits of the schtick, comedy, personalities and mannerisms into their stage routines. Through the years the group began to add covers of more contemporary hits to their repertoire.
The Cadillac Cruisers rhythm section along with their Roadhouse Horns, a four-piece (and sometimes 5) horn section gave the group the ability to cover virtually any popular hit including their signature opener “Dance to the Music.”
With self-admitted “average” musical abilities, Gene’s major strength was his exceptional promotional and marketing abilities. He always recruited some of the best local musicians, and used his promotional talent to catapult the group into one of the most popular local attractions for concerts, fire hall dances, bull roasts, festivals, county fairs…
As their personal monicker attests, “Baltimore’s opening act to the stars,” Gene & the Cadillac Cruisers provided backing music or opened for well over 300 different major recording and touring groups from their inception in 1979 through the mid-‘00s. Artists they have performed with include Fabian, Frankie Ford, Joey Dee & the Starlighters, Danny & the Juniors, Bobby Lewis, Little Richard, Crystals, Tommy Roe, Beach Boys…
Vincentt and his Juke Box Revue participated in the Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial Concert on August 18, 1986 at Oregon Ridge Park to benefit the Maryland Food Bank. Gene & the Cadillac Cruisers have performed on the Maryland Public Television production “Rock, Rhythm & Doo-Wop,” the “Legends of Rock & Roll” show at the Baltimore Arena, and opened for many major stars at the Ocean City Arena.
Zimmerman also performed stints with Bobby Berger’s Goin’ Back Band. He has played shows in New York with Brenda Lee, in New Orleans with Frankie Ford, and the Cavern Club in Liverpool with Bobby Morris…
Over the years there have been over 100 members and it would be nearly impossible to name everyone. Members of group have included Clyde Allen (vocals ex-Crossroads), Joe Bontz (guitar ex-Band With No Name), Bob Brady (vocals), Harry Cocoras (trombone ex-Swingtones, Dardanelles…), John Drexler (drums ex-Con Chords), Phil Morawski (drums 1981-84 ex-Crossroads, Hope, and later with Jukebox Live, Pastime, and Full Circle),
Charles Fertig (ex-Hayden Butler, Package Deal), Gary Gardner (bass ex-Notables, Holidays…), Mark Grier (trumpet), Bob Grover (keyboards), Joe ‘Stix’ Jones (drums ex-Three-of-a-Kind), John Kotrla (vocals), Joey McCann (vocals), Bobby Morris (keyboards, guitar –Boss Company), Joe Sanzone (guitar –Rockin’ Airs…), John Pealock (sax), Lou Randall (drums), Lew Schwartz (drums ex-New Diablos, Happy Daze), Rich Schwartz (guitar), Jim Stevens (bass), Jim Sowder (guitar, sax, keyboards ex-Mojo’s, Libra –Boss Company), Richard Winkler (sax ex-Emeralds, As You Like It…), Paul Faatz (sax), Rick Dempsey (bass ex-Kotton, Bits & Pieces, Patch, Saturday…)…
Gene Vincentt & the Cadillac Cruiser with the Roadhouse Horns, as of April 2025 the Cruisers consisted of Gene Vincentt (guitar, vocals), John Kotrla (lead vocals), Bobby Morris (keyboards, vocals), Rick Dempsey (bass), and Greg Fenlon (drums, vocals), and the Roadhouse Horns consisting of Bobby List (trumpet), Gary Hendrickson (trumpet), and Stanley Rouse (sax).
Original music by the Cadillac Cruisers includes the ‘50s style song “@lonely.com” that was later re-recorded by Ronnie Dove.
