Rock and roll band formed in Milford Mill area, later adding two Woodlawn High School graduates. The original group formed in 1964 featured Ronnie Smith (lead guitar), Mike O’Neill (2nd guitar), Jim Zgorski (guitar, harmonica, vocals), Tom O’Neill (bass), and Steve Martin Small (drums).
Originally suggested to be called The Revolutionary Sounds of the Patriots (inspired by Paul Revere & the Raiders) the name was shortened to The Patriots.
Bass guitarist Tom O’Neill tells that “being in a band in the ’60s was the thing to do. We played teen centers, CYO’s, JCC’s, community pools, private parties, debutante balls and anyplace who would pay for live entertainment. We were aspiring to be rock ‘n roll stars. Loving life and playing music. Those were great times.”
“Drummer Steve Small used the stage name ‘Steve Martin’. His mother Rose Small managed the band. His father Melvin Small was business manager for The American Guild for Variety Artists (AGVA) in D.C.
The Patriots recorded at Edgewood Studios in D.C., and in addition to a demo acetate single and a one-sided LP at Edgewood, they released two singles, the first on the Look label (subsidiary of Starday Records in Tennessee) crediting songwriter Jim Zgorski, and the second on New York based Murbo label crediting ‘Todd Rhidar’ (Zgorski’s stage name).
1967(45) – Look 5005 — Close Your Eyes / I Can’t Get You Outta My Mind
1968(45) – Murbo 1025 — What A Drag It Is / Blankets and Candles
“I know (the original lineup) were still going in 1967” recalled Tom “because I missed my senior prom while we were performing at the Shoreham Hotel in D.C. as opening act for Diana Ross & the Supremes.”
L-R: Tom O’Neill, Jim Zgorski, Steve Small, Michael O’Neill.
“The [live photo at Woodlawn High School] is of The Patriots 64-67(68) (left to right, Tom O’Neill, Jim Zgorski, Steve Small and Michael O’Neill). I think I still own that blue tuxedo. I know my brother does. My red Fender Precision bass in the lower photo is the same Precision Bass in the top photo. I had stripped it and repainted it with white lacquer spray paint, sanded it and polished it until it looked like a factory finish. The pick guard was the same one finished with black texture paint. If only I had keep that bass in better condition.”
In summer of (1968) Mike, Ronnie, and Jim left the group, being replaced with Mark Bacon (lead guitar), and Bob Marvin (organ and lead vocals). Along with Tom (bass), and Steve (drums) they continued together as a quartet while in college, eventually breaking up in the summer of 1970.
Tom O’Neill (bottom) Bob Marvin
The group may have later been reorganized by Steve and Bob using the Tony Vee monicker, but it is not yet verified. Marvin went on to play in a number of local groups including Felix, Tapestry, Raintree, Quest, Pat O’Brennan…
Thanks to Tom O’Neill.
