Joy

Joy guitarist Larry Simpkins wrote to say said “he had never seen this photo before” and he identified everyone: “In the photo left to right, Al Rossi (sax), Paul Wilson (drums), Barbara Riehl (vocals & flute), Eddie DiMarino (bass) and Me (Larry Simpkins) on guitar.”
“Far left out of view would be Joe Ercole (keyboards) as Bill Deloach left the band temporarily to start “Sirprize”.

A Short JOY History by Larry Simpkins, 2/27/13
“The best I can remember, Al Rossi and JOY first met as a group in 1971 at the Golden 40 Nightclub near Joppatowne. The original members of the group being Al Rossi (saxophones), Larry Simpkins (guitar), Dottie Tim (Hammond organ) and Bill Mojica (drums).
Shortly after, we began a long-lasting stint of close to 8 years at the Golden Horn Nightclub in the Loch Raven Shopping Center. Less than a year after the group formed, we added Denny Weston (bass) to the group.
Bill DeLoach (organ) and Paul Wilson (drums) were at that time both working with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons but were considering moving back to the Baltimore area. Al signed them both, and the group then consisted of Al Rossi (saxophones), Larry Simpkins (guitar), Bill Deloach (keyboards), Denny Weston (bass) and Paul Wilson (drums). Denny Weston left the group in 1974 and was replaced by Eddie DiMarino (bass).
Others who joined the group in various phases were Larry Keighley (drums), Barbara Riehl (vocals, flute), Vernon Smith (drums), Joe Ercole (keyboards), and Bobby Peters (bass).
Al Rossi left the group in 1979, and the remaining members of JOY, Bill DeLoach, (keyboards), Larry Simpkins (guitar), Joe Ercole (keyboards), Bobby Peters (bass) and Paul Wilson (drums) recorded a few originals and played in the Baltimore area until disbanding in 1980. It was a good run.”

The band played steady gigs throughout the ‘70s at clubs such as the Golden Horn (house band 6 nights/week), Club Venus, Golden 40 Inn as house band, Embassy Club, Red Rooster, Mimmie Jr.’s, The Palace, Merritt House, Johnny Walkers, The Loft Lounge… They also traveled to beach resorts from Delaware to Florida. Joy played double bills with many local groups including Coyote, New Diablos, Royal 5+1, Animal Crackers…

Above: Mimmie Jr’s ad – October 1975 Red Rooster ad – October 1976

Joy’s recordings include commercials for the Stereo Discounters store chain.

Rossi was also a member of the ‘70s band Tug Boat. He continued performing in the 2000s with his band the Bell System, seen at Rascals in Towson, and Giovanni’s. DeLoach was a member of Frankie Valli’s band and toured with him Oct. 1973 – March 1974. He later formed the band Sirprize. In the late ‘90s he rejoined Frankie Valli’s group. Wilson also toured with Valli. Riehl went on to perform with the Admirals, and the Hubcaps. DiMarino played for Krackerjax and went on to Las Vegas where he worked as music director for Wayne Newton. In the ‘00s Mojica continued to perform with a group called the Jokers.

Thanks to Larry Simpkins and Ron Borowy for info about the band.