Al Hoffman and his Charades were the weekend house band at Hoffman’s own Red Devil Lounge and Hoffman’s in Essex. They also played the Carousel, Latin Casino, and Club Venus. An early lineup of the group included ex-Crystals members Hoffman (vocals), Joe Adams (sax), Mickey Mezzanotte (sax ex-Swingtones, Playboys, Originals), Joe Pente (B-3 organ), and Johnny Tamberrino (drums). Hoffman, Pente, and Adams later had a group called By Joe.
