Lucifer  

Well-known Baltimore area Top-40 and rock classics band formed in 1971. Members hailed from Catonsville to Randallstown to Eldersburg. The original line-up featured George ‘Bunky’ Baumgartner (lead vocals, guitar ex-Lost Cause, Cryptic Image), Gene Parry (lead guitar ex-Nina & the Marcels, Cryptic Image), Jack Rothenhoefer (bass ex-Hot Fudge Sundae, Human Freedom & Security, Cryptic Image), Mark Crisfulli (keyboards), and Steve Beck (drums).

Lucifer performed at many school dances and fire halls. They were also seen locally at the Hollywood Palace, Patapsco Inn, Martin’s West, Club Brandy, Sarano’s, Frigate, Marmaduke’s Mustache, The Barn, Mary’s, the Hippo… and appropriately at Hoffman’s Red Devil Lounge. The group also traveled to clubs in Ocean City, D.C., and neighboring states.

In 1976 Lucifer became a full-time band.

A 1978 line-up included original members Baumgartner, Parry, and Crisfulli, along with George Barnhart (bass ex-Lost Cause, Meat, Treebeard, Calico), and Andy Armetta (drums ex-Meadow, Day Star). The Patapsco Inn was their home base…

Photos courtesy of Andy Armetta:

A 1982 line-up featured mainstays Baumgartner, and Barnhart, with Dave Woodworth (guitar ex-Eliza Jane, Clyde, Climbadonkey, Night Train), Greg Lardieri (keyboards), and Mark Muhler (drums). Keith Larsen (drums ex-Silver Queen) also played for Lucifer in the ‘80s. Other members throughout the years included keyboardist Glenn Workman (ex-Springwind)…

Photos circa 1982 courtesy of Andy Armetta

Baumgartner continued to perform in the ‘00s. He could be seen as a solo guitarist at Bare Bones in Ellicott City. Beck played in Virginia, D.C., and Ocean City clubs with a band called GTU. Armetta went on to perform in Arch Rival and other bands throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s. He could be seen in the ‘00s in the blues group the Upsetters. Muhler later with Rolz Royce, Passion… Larsen later with the Killing Floor… He and Lardieri filled in as members of Gary & the Groove… Beck’s later bands include Shotgun, Wild Rice…