Hampden area band in the Bay Sound Records stable of artists. The original group featured Don Lassahn (guitar, vocals), Joe Chemay (bass), Charlie Mund (keyboards, vocals), Don Mark (sax), Tom Pilsch (sax), Otts Marx (trumpet, sax), and Neil Constantinides (original drummer). Nick (Nicky C) Constantinides (drums, lead vocals) replaced Neil who went on to join Saturday.
Joe Chemay, Tom Pilsch. Photo courtesy of Don Lassahn.
The “soulsational” Chateaux were highly rated by WCAO’s Paul Rodgers. They released an excellent soul single on the Bay Sound label. The group played gigs at Notre Dame, Harrisburg Community College, Cumberland Valley High School, University of Maryland College Park, Morgan State, Kenwood High School, Patterson High School, Dixie Ballroom, Hoffman’s Lounge, the Dark Corner in Brooklyn…
The group shared the stage with many national acts including Chicago, Grass Roots, and Savoy Brown.
Mund (keyboards) was later replaced with Bill Wiley, then later Jay Williamson.
The group later billed themselves as simply The Chateaux. Members were Nicky C (drums, vocals), Don Lassahn (guitar, vocals), Al Jackson (trumpet), Jay Williamson (keyboards), Jay Douberly (trombone), and Joe Chemay (bass, vocals).
Standing L-R: John Gifford, Don Lassahn, Al Jackson, Jay Douberly, Joe Chemay.
Photo courtesy of Don Lassahn.
Lassahn was later replaced with Lew Cammarata (ex-Notions).
The Chateaux (minus Lassahn) went on to become Good News, a full-time touring group. Williamson and Chemay were members of Tommy Vann’s backing band
Chemay (see bio) went on to a very successful musical career. Douberly later played for the United Endeavor. Lassahn also backed Bay Sound artist the Bleu Lights. He went on to play for Raven, Jeremiah, Patch, Bits & Pieces, Wise Guise…
Nicky went on to play for Sticky Leaf, United Endeavor, Pzazz… His solo record releases include the 1982 single “You and Me and Summertime” b/w “Erotica Party,” and the 2005 CD “Back in The Swing A Thangs.” In the ‘00s Nicky performed as a member of the Bobby B’s Palace house band. Later formed Sugarbeat…
Don Mark went on to play Las Vegas, served as head of music program for Tampa Hard Rock Café, an international studio jazz musician, and continued playing as solo and with several bands in Fells Point.
John Gifford played with the circus band when in Baltimore, and went on to be head of music for Friends School.
Single release by Nicky C & the Chateaux:
1969 Bay Sound 67012 Try Some Soul / Those Good Times
Releases by Nicky C:
1982 Starship 1001 You and Me and Summertime / Erotica Party
2005(CD) Sugarbeat 25322 Back in The Swing A Thangs
