Catonsville area rock and roll band founded and managed by John Byrnes. A 1959 lineup included Byrnes (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Mike Putsche (lead guitar), Mike O’Malley (rhythm guitar), Joe Juknelis (trombone), John Dodson (sax), Bob ‘Chick’ Meehan (drums), and Barbara McNamara (vocals).
Later members included Vaughn Wrightson (lead guitar), Earl Ross (sax), Terry Emig (rhythm guitar), and Jim Brazier (lead vocals). Guitarist Gary D’Addario (ex-Arcades) replaced Vaughn for one summer then joined the Caravelles.
The Omegas played the teen circuit, and clubs such as the Rhapsody. Brazier, an ex-Buddy Deane Committee member, left the band after a serious car accident on the way home from the Rhapsody on New Year’s Eve 1962. He was replaced with Jack Wrightson.
Standing L-R: McNamara, Dodson, Meehan, Juknelis, Byrnes.
Photo courtesy of Justin Juknelis
Back Row (L-R): Byrnes, Meehan, Juknelis. Photo courtesy of Justin Juknelis
The Wrightsons went on to join the Rivieras. Ross was later with the Sentries, Upsetters… Brazier returned to the music scene in the late ‘60s joining the psychedelic band Friendly Stranger.
Record release by the Omegas:
1961 Groove 4 Midnight Run / I Wanna Go Home
