Entertainer, vocalist, musician, comedian Russ Margulis attended Woodlawn High School. As a teenager he played bass guitar, and his brother Rob Margulis played drums as members of a blues/R&B band called the Roadrunners. Their group was the first house band for the Bluesette teen club on Charles Street. Russ and Rob later performed as a musical comedy duo known as the Margo Brothers. Russ also did solo work, later switching to piano.
Russ Margo, and the Margo Brothers photos courtesy of Russ.
After years of playing rock and R&B music Russ gravitated toward performing with society type groups and wedding bands including a stint playing the upright bass with the Morgan Baer Orchestra.
In 1970 he released his first record consisting of a couple of Bacharach/David covers on his OB Productions (Other Brother) label.
Russ traveled to Florida in 1972 and later to California where he continued performing. Highlights included appearances at the Comedy Store (Los Angeles), Universal Studios Tour (Southern California), and parties hosted by President Ford, Bob Hope, Telly Savales, and others.
Since returning to Baltimore in 1987 his Russ Margo Show (from solo to full orchestra) continued to provide entertainment for weddings, private parties, and corporate type events. Russ also wrote and recorded original material for corporate sponsors. He made regular radio appearances as the “Marginally Talented Russ Margo” with WBAL talk show host Allan Prell on programs such as “Honest Al’s Yard Sale.”
In 1993 the Margo Brothers released a children’s recording as Fuzzy Notion and the Backporch Balladeers titled “Happy Birthday Hoedown.”
Russ released his first solo CD in 2000 “Candlelight, Cocktails… and You” (RAZ Music).
Records by Russ Margo:
1969 OB 103 Walk on By / What the World Needs Now
1980 Industry Ent. 101 Great Expectations / Maybe Tomorrow
1993(CS) RAZ Happy Birthday Hoedown
2000(CD) RAZ Candlelight, Cocktails… and You
