Mitch Ryder Show, Baltimore Band

In the fall of 1966, Mitch Ryder broke with the Detroit Wheels and formed a 10-piece back-up band in the style of Wilson Pickett and others. His management team put out the call to Baltimore DJ, Paul Rodgers, to invite bands to audition. The result was 5 musicians from the Majestics and Princetons hired for the Mitch Ryder Show.

The Chicago Loop was the opening act for the tour, and the Loop’s rhythm section made up the rhythm section for the Ryder band, plus the addition of a NYC lead guitarist named Johnny (?).

JIMMY WILSON, trumpet – Baltimore, MD – Princetons
ANDY DIO, trumpet – Miami, FL – Wayne Cochran & the C.C. Riders
DON LEHNHOFF, trombone – Baltimore, MD – Poker Chips, Dynamics, Majestics
JOHN SIOMIS, drums – Chicago, IL- Chicago Loop (later Music and Peter Frampton)
FRANK INVERNIZZI, B3 organ – Baltimore, MD – Majestics
BOB SLAWSON, rhythm guitar – Chicago, IL – Chicago Loop
CARMINE RIALE, bass guitar – Chicago, IL – Chicago Loop
JOHNNY (UNKNOWN), lead guitar – New York, NY – Joey Dee & the Starlighters
BOB SHIPLEY, tenor sax – Baltimore, MD – Princetons
JIM LOOMIS, tenor sax – Baltimore, MD – Chaun-Tels, the Echoes, Majestics

During a period of 1-2 years Mitch Ryder was promoted heavily, toured the US and Europe, and headlined everywhere the band played. They appeared on national TV on the New York variety show “Coliseum,” and also appeared on “The Mike Douglas Show” out of Philadelphia.

CLEVELAND ARENA

After about 7 months the Chicago Loop was replaced on tour by a popular Long Island band called the Illusion.
[Photos courtesy of George Shuba Photography]
April 1967