Top 40 show band. History as told by Phil “…After my split with The Inner Cyrkle (late 1972) I formed Phil Hanes & Cyrkle and continued as house band at Ventuno 21 Club in DC.
“When not at our home base, Ventuno’s, we booked ‘road trips’ playing at clubs in Ohio, Atlanta, Florida, and Georgia.”
The original eight-piece band (see photo) members were Phil Hanes (vocals), Don Bruce (guitar), Daryl Matarozza (bass), Mike Meros (keyboards), Chick Padeletti (drums), Richard Winkler (sax, flute), Dave Estes (trombone), and Al Jackson (trumpet).
Not pictured: Don Bruce (guitar).
“In late 1973 I downsized Phil Hanes & Cyrkle to a five-piece group and we continued to play Ventuno 21 Club, Pete & Lenny’s (Ft. Lauderdale) in the winter months, and in summer months we were the house band at Carl & Lenny’s in Rehoboth Beach, DE (sister club to Pete & Lenny’s).
“The five piece band members were Phil Hanes (vocals), Don Bruce (guitar), Steve Crossen (bass), Rick Normoyle (keyboards), and Chick Padeletti (drums).
L-R: Steve Crossen (bass), Phil Hanes (vocals), Don Bruce (guitar). Courtesy of Phil Hanes.
“This group played together until 1978 at which time I purchased and became the new owner of Carl & Lenny’s in Rehoboth Beach, DE.”
The 1979 incarnation of Phil Hanes & Cyrkle included Bill Krahling (guitar) replaced with Mike Gardiner, Rick Olaguer (guitar) replaced with Frank Sorrentino, John Herbert (bass), Jeff Lutzi (bass), Tim Camponeschi (bass), Rick Normoyle (keyboards) replaced with Terry Combs, Chick Padeletti (drums), Howard Zizzi (drums). The group disbanded within a year and Phil went on to run The Library disco in Columbia in spring of 1980. Crossen and Bruce were later with The Wild Bunch.
