One of Baltimore’s top teen bands of the 60’s, the Deltas originated from the Carroll Manor/Timonium/Lutherville area in the fall of 1964. Primarily a R&B/Soul band, the group featured exceptional vocal harmony backed by horns. Seen at all the local teen centers, the Deltas also played at CYO dances, debutante balls, school proms, colleges and clubs. Aberdeen Proving Grounds’ “Teen Town” and Gettysburg College were mainstays. For three summers ‘66-68 the Deltas played every Sunday afternoon at Beaver Springs Swim Club in Cockeysville. They were also the exclusive band for teen fashion shows at Hutzler’s and Montgomery Ward “Wendy Ward” during those years.
Early group members included Sonny Weems lead vocals (64-66), Dennis McCallam keyboard/arranger/vocals (64-66), Jeff Jobe drums/vocals (64-67), Mark Wentworth trombone (64-68), Jeff McTyier trumpet (64-70), John Russo trumpet/vocals (64-69), Paul Jennings alto/baritone sax (64-65), Ken Klingler alto sax (65-67), Chip Schmidt guitar (64-65), and Mike Costanza (ex-Fugitives) bass (64-66). During their existence the Deltas remained a close-knit group while experiencing numerous personnel changes.
In 1965 Jennings left for college and in the fall of ‘66 McCallam and Costanza followed suit. Bob McKee then joined as lead guitarist (66-67), John Bowen became Manager (66-71), Sonny Weems was replaced by Tom Engle as lead vocalist (66-70), Ron Dorfler (ex-Esquires) became bassist (66-67), Fred Bianco joined as a second vocalist (66) and Frank Myers joined as keyboard/vocals (66-68). In 1967 as McKee left for college and Jobe joined Denny & the Hitchhikers, Wayne Penczek (ex-Outlaws, Shadwells) joined as lead guitar/vocals (67-70) and Don Gunter (ex-Outlaws) as drummer (67-70). Engle, Myers and Penczek perfected their three-part harmony.
Severna Park High School
In 1968, the Deltas placed second in the Teen Fair Battle of the Bands at the Baltimore Civic Center (first place was awarded to Denny & the Chadwicks). Lead singer Tom Engle won a special award for “Best Individual Performer” of the show.
Also in 1968, the band added Maureen ‘Sugie’ Kimmitt who shared lead vocals with Engle. In the fall of 68, after Wentworth and Myers left for college, they were replaced by Jim Pritchard (68-70 trombone ex-Esquires) and Don McCaig keyboard (68) who was subsequently replaced by Charlie Justice (keyboard (68-69). Myers would later resurface with Shane, Blue Meanies, Satellites.
In 1969, Dorfler was replaced by Gary Owens (ex-Graham Chambers System) bass (69-70), Russo left for college and Kevin McCallam (Dennis’ younger brother) joined as keyboardist. In ‘70 Engle left, McTyier was the last remaining original Delta. When the Deltas disbanded in ‘71, Kimmitt, Penczek, K. McCallam and Gunter stayed together to form McKeever.
Engle later went on to front Tommy & the Artelles (renamed Extra Dry) for a brief time around 1970 before retiring from the music scene. He later resurfaced in the late ‘90s–00s as lead singer for the Charmed Times reunion band and the re-formed Legend. Seen at the Arbutus Fire Hall, Catonsville K of C. The CTRB recording “Echoes of the Past” was featured as the theme song for the program on WTMD radio hosted by Kenny Schreiber. Penczek and Gunter went on to play in a number of bands including Patch. Penczek could later be seen with his ‘00s group Wize Gize. McCaig later with Rock Island Express, Chapter IV… Justice went on to Fantasy, D.C. Review…
In 1998-2006, Russo joined as a singer Skip Scarborough’s Praise and Worship Team featuring Alton McClain Scarborough (see “Alton McClain & Destiny”).
(bio by John Russo and Tom Engle)
