Psychedelic rock band formed by guitarist Denny Romans (real name Dennis Tobell ex-Moss, Barbarians) and Paul Welsh (drums ex-Paupers). Maypole derived their name from the literary “Maypole of Marrymount” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The band performed at local teen centers and school dances including gigs at the Holy Family CYO, and Parkville Teen Center. Club performances included Hollywood Park, Club Venus, The Beachcomber, and LaFeets Cage Saloon in Ocean City…
Maypole photos courtesy of Demian Bell
The original group consisted of Romans (lead guitar, lead vocals), Steve Mace (rhythm guitar), John Nickel (bass), and Paul Welsh (drums). Kenny Ross was added as lead vocalist. Subsequent personnel changes included Jeff Lutzi (bass ex-Progressions, Good Grief) replacing Nickel. Welsh was later replaced with Larry Lundy, who was in turn replaced with Lee Morgan.
Maypole became one of the first progressive rock bands in the area to release a full-length album (“Maypole” Colossus CS-1007 circa 1970). A single from the album was also released “Show Me the Way” b/w “Johnny” (Colossus 131).
The group toured extensively and opened shows for many top artists including Bob Seger, Elephants Memory, Nazz, Grin, and many others. In Baltimore Maypole appeared on the Kerby Scott Show in 1970 to showcase their new record release. As was the practice in those days, the group was to do a mock (lip-sync) performance to the record. Disastrously according to Denny “the engineer started the record about halfway in and I nearly killed the guy after the show!”
Romans was later a member of the Michael Goldberg Band, Renaud & the Junction, Mean Green, The Denny Romans Group (circa 1974), Ozz (circa 1975), Roy Buchanan’s band in D.C., and performances with the late Dale Coleman. Lutzi was later with the bands Meadow, and Day Star. Welsh also later played for the Michael Goldberg band.
Romans (Tobell) went on to play with Los Bravos (1985-89) and continued to play professionally as Demian Bell. He released the 1981 single “Gotta Let Go” b/w “The Move” (Nouveaux 1002) with his Miami based band. In Germany his most recent ventures include touring with the Maypole Blues Band. He also earned a gold record in Japan on Avec Records for Techno music with the group Bass Waves, and with Neil Case with the Bass Mekanik. Bell did the entire score and soundtrack for “Manasaur,” a film starring Vernon Wells and Will Smith.
The critically acclaimed Maypole album was re-released in 2006 on Gear Fab Records, and again on clear vinyl on Anopheles Records in 2006. The group still has fans all over the world.
1970(LP) Colossus 1007 Maypole
1970 Colossus 131 Show Me the Way / Johnny
