R&B/rock group originally a teen group known as the Echoes (1961-63), and eventually to become one of the most prominent local recording bands of the 1960s. The original group featured Ed Bonadio (tenor sax), Dave Wladkowski (alto sax), Charlie (lead guitar), Joe Sanzone (guitar), Bill Socha (bass), and Steve Majka (drums). The Echoes played CYO’s and dance halls, Mayo Beach, clubs including Sperl’s, Bear’s Den, Carl’s Club 33, and in Atlantic City Monticello Hall and the Steel Pier. Vocalist George Layfield joined and the group, famed for their James Brown set, won the local battle of the bands. In 1963 the group merged with a group called the Con Chords. Socha and Majka left, and the new group consisted of Layfield, Bonadio, Wladkowski, Joe Sanzone (guitar), Vince Sanzone (bass), with Jim Samuel (electric piano), Benny Cellitto (Accord organ), Lou Patti (trumpet ex-Adjectives…), and John Drexler (drums).
In 1964 vocalist Bob Brady (ex-Flintstones) joined the group. Brady and Layfield were known for their blue-eyed soul versions of the Miracles and Righteous Brothers…Bonadio left the group in late 1965. Additional members included Denny Zwirlein (guitar), Larry Sprigg (trombone)…
Lou Patti was later replaced with multi-instrumentalist Tony Consantino (ex-Three Rhythms) in 1967. Tony was primarily a drummer, and an outstanding drummer at that, having appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show as a young boy. With the Con Chords Tony primarily played trumpet, with occasional songs on tenor or baritone sax, drums, and vibraphones. In 1968 Drexler was replaced with Marty Fischer (ex-Delmonicos, Epics), and Sanzone was replaced with Tommy Thompson.
The band played every weekend from 1965 through 1969 including school dances, proms, college shows, TV shows, teen center gigs as well as clubs and road touring. They were seen at the Baltimore Civic Center with the Beach Boys and Buffalo Springfield, The Civic Center with Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, at Robin Hood Dell Amphitheater in Philadelphia with a who’s who of east coast R&B talent in June 1968, at Cole Field House in 1968 with the Dells. The group was winner of the Civic Center’s Battle of the Bands on September 11, 1966. In January 1967 they competed in a Black Jack Club battle vs. Frankie & the Spinners. They were seen at St. Paul’s CYO in Clarksville in September 1967, the Zoo in Brooklyn, the Columbia Teen Center at Atholton High School in March 1968, the U.A.W. Hall Double Soul Explosion on Friday, August 9, 1968 with the Persians.
The rhythm section of the original line-up split off in late 1969 and became known as Pen Lucy.
Brady formed another group featuring Chuck Beaty (lead guitar ex-Princetons), Jim Kestle (bass ex-Cindy & Censations), Rody Barthelmes (organ), Tony Consantino (sax, guitar), and Tim Lloyd (drums). This new group recorded “Saving All My Love for You” (Chariot 528). The record spent 3 months in WCAO’s Top-60 charts peaking at #26 in October 1969. The group eventually split from Brady and become Coyote.
Brady later went on to the groups Energy, and Rise. Wladkowski appeared on the 1981 LP by Guy & Tony. He later played drums in Penelope, Fresh Air, Pen Lucy… Brady and Drexler were later members of the Cadillac Cruisers…
The Con Chords records were published by Cascargo Music, and produced by Jonas ‘Joe’ Cash and Brent Gordon.
Also see – Mystery Tour
1966 Chariot 100 Goodbye Baby / Tell Me Why
1967 Chariot 101 More, More, More of Your Love / It’s A Better World
1968 Chariot 525 Illusion / I Love You Baby
1968 Chariot 526 Everybody’s Goin’ To the Love-In / It’s Been a Long Time Between Kisses
1969 Chariot 527 Love Is the Master (I’m The Slave) /It’s Love
1969 Chariot 528 Savin’ All My Love for You / Please Stay
1971 A&M 1382 More, More, More of Your Love / I Stand Rejected
