Top-40 rock and oldies band from the Parkville area. Members included Joe Dugan (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Ken Bacon (lead guitar), Mark Webb (bass), Bob Cochran (keyboards, guitar), and Dave Boyer (drums ex-Steel Fire)…
With the familiar slogan “what’s a dance without PERCHANCE?” the band was prolific throughout the school dance, frat parties and club circuits.
Managed by Themis Smyrnioudis. Booking agents at various times included Gary Chalmers, Denny Picasso, and Mark Landis. Soundman Jerry Brown did lighting and special effects including fog, bubble machines, and explosion boxes. The group could be seen at Latin Casino, Club Venus, Golden 40, Melody Lounge in Dundalk, Pier 7 in Annapolis, Hollywood Palace, Bayview Inn in Edgewood, Sand Bar, Port Welcome cruises, teen dances at Eudowood Gardens…
Perchance opened for many top national acts including Heart, Byrds, Firefall, Spirit…
Above: October 29, 1976 October 28, 1977 – Dundalk High School
Photos below courtesy of Dave Boyer
As with most bands, the group went through a few personnel changes toward the end, including Dave Boyer replaced with Joey Calato.
Drummer Joey Calato had been working with Alex Karas 1974-75 performing the Howard Johnson / Hilton circuit. He recalled that “Perchance offered me a job in 75-76 & I jumped at the chance! Perchance was going thru some changes at the time. The Line-up was Kenny Bacon (lead guitar RIP 12/24), Bil Shippell (keyboards RIP 12/21), Joe Dugan (lead singer & rhythm guitar), Jack Cole (bass guitarist formally in Fragile), and Carol Tate (singer added late 1976).” Carol formerly with Easy.
Photos below courtesy of Joey Calato:
Photo courtesy of Joey Colato
Cole was replaced with a new bassist. Then Calato left the band and was replaced with drummer Bob Sutter.
Boyer continued to play music, seen with Breakaway in the ‘00s. Sutter was later with Tail Gunner, Crowded Stage… Webb continued to do sound production work and was a member of mid-‘90s band Hyndsite. Cochran later with the Dalton Gang… After Calato left the group he started working for a mobile DJ company in 1978, and in 1980 started his own business that continues to 2026+ performing at VFW’s, senior centers, private parties…
