Hampden based rock and roll group. The core members were Bill Becker (rhythm guitar), Judy Barnstein (piano), and Carle Klupt (drums). As needed, they would assemble groups for specific gigs. At times they had a four-man vocal group, sax, bass, and lead guitar.
The Cameos performed at bars around the Hampden area, school dances, band contests, and a University of Maryland concert.
Becker answered an ad in Billboard magazine for cutting demo records. They put together a group and recorded Becker’s original song “Pretty Penny” at Henry O. Burman Studios. A local DJ (thought to have been Jack Gale, although Jack has no recollection) was interested in the record and took the group to a studio in D.C. to record a B-side. “Pretty Penny” was destined to be the hit so as a fill-in the group was asked to play the “worst” song they had, and while they recorded “The Big Baboon,” the engineer overdubbed some jungle sounds. The record released as by The Cameos featuring Billy Rome (aka Bill Becker) was leased to the All label in California and sent out to radio stations. Interestingly the B-side began getting some airplay including by Hot Rod here in Baltimore. Becker did not like that the interest was in the flip so when asked for a percentage to promote the record he refused, and the record mysteriously disappeared from radio station playlists.
Becker later wrote songs that were recorded by the Nomads.
Record by The Cameos featuring Billy Rome:
1958 All 501 Pretty Penny / The Big Baboon
