Upon return to the Baltimore area after living in Alaska for a few years, bass guitarist Ray Quigley sought out some of his old musician friends. Looking to start a band he assembled a collection of musicians including Bob Holland (guitar, organ), Tim Bibo (drums), John St. Jean (bass), and Ron Murphy (lead singer).
In the fall of 1966, while attending Towson State, Ray developed a friendship with guitarist Marty Mettee and bassist Gary Owens who were both members of another local band called the Marauders. As fate would have it, Bibo decided to leave Quigley’s group while at the same time some of the Marauders had been considering leaving to continue their education. As a result, the two groups joined forces. Lead vocalist Dave Michaels, and drummer Burns Waters of the Marauders continued briefly before leaving to join B.J. & the Betrayers. Michaels was replaced with the original Graham Chambers System vocalist Ron Murphy, and Waters was replaced with Paul Treffinger. Paul eventually left to play for Billy Storm and the Tempests, the Bushwackers, Good Grief, and later with Chalet. He was replaced with former Rysing Sun drummer Tom Goldsborough. This line-up lasted until spring of 1969. On February 18, 1968 they appeared at the Club Venus with Gladys Knight & the Pips. The band played teen dances, Bluesette (7 times in summer ‘67), Black Jack, The Zoo Club, Club Venus, Towson State affairs, Sperl’s, Nixon-Agnew rally, etc.
GCS was featured on the front cover of the September 1967 issue of Baltimore Magazine for a cover story about the Bluesette club.
Photos courtesy of Marty Mettee.
Holland also managed the Kaymar recording group Human Freedom & Security. Mettee went on to join Happy Erv, and Yowza Dowza.
Ray continued to host the monthly Arbutus record show in the 2000s. Along with Marty they formed the Charmed Times Reunion Band in 2000 (see bio)…
