City Lights started at the Dutch Mill by Tommy Christian who was a bartender there. During their early years they could also be heard at the Belford House on Belair Road, Partners, Merritt House, and longtime house band at Ruggerios.
The group featured Tommy Christian (vocals), John Robinson (sax –City Police Band), Rusty Hill (keys ex-Better Half), Bob ‘Spider’ Shower (drums ex-Buddy Robbins Combo, Johnny Walker’s Good Guys)…
Norm Seifert (ex-Brass Rail, Iguana) joined in 1978 as guitarist and musical director. Hill was later replaced with Benny Cellitto (keys ex-Hot Property, Paco…) who remained with the group for about 8 years.
During their tenure at Ruggerios (1981-92+) the group also featured stints by keyboardists Tim Tamassia, and Graham Eckler.
Seifert left in 1992 and formed a duo with Carlos Olaguer. He was replaced with Gary Sweeta. Robinson passed away in the mid-‘90s.
In ‘00s City Lights continued as a trio consisting of ‘Spider,’ with Eckler, and Jeff Byer (guitar, lead vocals). Teddy Bell (sax) also played with the group briefly. They performed throughout the Moose Club circuit, Edgemere, Dundalk, Glen Burnie…
