One of the first bands in Baltimore to wear Beatle style haircuts. Their debut at Elmer’s Musical Bar was with mixed reaction as the new British rock and roll fad in the U.S. was such a new phenomenon. The group persevered and became quite popular throughout the region. Members were James Preston ‘J.P.’ Poteat (guitar), Johnny Poteat (bass), J.D. Frye (keyboards, guitar), and Benny Frye (drums).
In 1964 the group recorded their original songs “From Now On” (a Motown style song written by Benny), and “I Told You So” (a British rock style song written by J.P.) and released them on the Nashville based Spot label. “From Now On” reached #8 on radio playlists in D.C. culminating in the Neutrons performing a concert with Link Wray, the Showmen, and Maxine Brown for a crowd of over 3,000.
Johnny went on to join the Wrecking Crew, Jay & the Jury, Persuasions… J.P. was later with several Chuck Dehn groups and eventually played country music. J.D. continued in music including a ‘70s album in Nashville.
