Top-40 pop and R&B group originated in Howard County playing local gigs such as the Columbia Teen Center, the Last Straw, and school dances. On July 20, 1967, the Chelseas made their first appearance on the D.C. television program “Wing-Ding” on channel 20. Heading the band was vocalist Chuck Ansell, also Jim Reske (lead guitar ex-Tremolos), Mike Keelan (rhythm), Matt Garris (bass), Tom Neser (drums), and Bill Goedecke (organ ex-Radicals). Managed by Ed Keelan, the band continued playing local teen dances mainly in Howard County and the Catonsville area.
By October 1967, the band added a horn section and made a few other personnel changes. Butch Sorbo had replaced Jim Reske as lead guitarist, Jay McCarthy (ex-Radicals, Horde) came on as replacement for Tom Neser on drums, and the new horn section consisted of Mike DiPaula on sax (formerly with the Marquis), Tom Redding on trombone, and Charlie Murray on trumpet. With this line-up they made their second appearance on “Wing-Ding” on October 19, 1967. Carl Salas (sax-ex-Ardvarks, Barons) joined the group in late 1967.
Throughout the remainder of 1967 and most of 1968 the band played numerous dances at the Ellicott City Armory, Johns Hopkins, YMCA, Lion’s Club, Dixie Ballroom, Manchester Fire Hall, Dixie Ballroom, many teen centers, and a 2-week June stint at the Pier Ballroom in Ocean City. The band played for the last dance of the Columbia Teen Center, in May 1968, hosted by Kerby Scott.
Above: Last Straw – May 1967 New Years Dance at Pikesville Fire Hall – 1967
Courtesy of Mike DiPaula
In the fall of 1968 Carl Hodge joined the band as lead vocalist replacing Ansell who moved on for a brief stint with the Majestics before joining Alias Sheep, and then forming Appaloosa.
Around 1970 changes in personnel included Garris being replaced with Barry Candell (bass), and DiPaula was replaced with Artie Block. Redding left the band and they continued with brass section of just sax and trumpet.
The Chelseas frequented the Slayton House Columbia Teen Center, performed for Hutzler’s Department Store fashion shows. In 1971 they opened for the Box Tops at Catonsville Community College.
The band split up in the fall of 1971. Goedecke went on to join Bob Brady’s Con Chords. McCarthy joined the Xpressions.
