Top-40 dance band featuring veteran musicians of many local groups. Fronted by lead singer Dave Collins (ex-Rysing Sun, Crown of Creation, Jabez Stone, Cathouse), the band included Carl Filipiak (guitar ex-most recent groups to this point Dryed Ice, Cain, Sawbuck), Mark Tiernan (keyboards ex-And the Echoes, Sawbuck, Tim Buckley band), Jay Williamson (keyboards ex-Legend, Good News…), Herbie (bass), and Bart Arconti (drums ex-Panda, Please, Felix).
Monopoly was one of the most in demand Top-40 / disco cover bands in the area. The group also mixed in some originals. They kept a busy schedule throughout the mid-late ‘70s with mostly extended house band engagements at clubs including the Latin Casino, The Other Place, Embassy, Red Rooster, Johnny Walkers, Loft Lounge, Hollywood Palace, Pecora’s, Club Venus, Babylons (on Fridays with Hollins Ferry), Golden Horn, Flaming Pit, Bonfire (Ocean City), and the Capricorn’s Zodiac Room. The group also traveled to beach resorts from Delaware to Florida.
Collins was the main lead vocalist throughout the years with Ann Beccio (Royal 5+1…) joining on co-lead. Later Barbara Riehl (ex-Pumphouse – and later with Joy, Admirals, Hub Caps) co-fronted the group, followed by Roni Brown (ex-Royalettes).
Crislen Entertainment photo courtesy of Barbara Riehl
The band featured two keyboard players later including Al Ruzicka (ex-Bad Boys, Professionals, Sound Foundation, Tug Boat), Bruce Calvert (keyboards, vocals ex-Please), and Bruce Marvin. Bass guitarists included Don Rogers (ex-Generations, Dryed Ice, Bittersweet), Howard Brown, Bobby Peters (ex-New Diablos, Cain, Staggerwing) – replaced with Dave Lowery (ex-Brandy), and Jay Dulaney (bass –Both Worlds…).
Filipiak went on to the Stand, Rock Island Express, and continued in the ‘00s as one of Baltimore’s top jazz guitarists. Collins also went on to the Stand, and Secrets. Williams later played for Fancy Pants, Scott Cunningham, Jeffrey… Ruzicka had also performed in Frankie Valli’s band, and went on join the Main Event. Tiernan later played in Dion DiMucci’s Streetheart Band. Dulaney played with Mary Lou & the Untouchables in the ‘00s as well as appearing with Carl Filipiak. Calvert later with Company, Odyssey, the Legendary Doolittle Boys…
