Variety and dance band played weddings, social clubs, and corporate functions locally and nationally… They did stints as house band at Papa’s Place (formerly the Sphinx Club) on Thursdays and Saturdays for 2½ years, and on Fridays at Silver Shadows in Columbia.
Originally known as Keith Soul & the Rollex Band, an early lineup featured Keith Simmons aka ‘Soul’ Simmons (lead vocals, sax ex-Maximum Strength), with Mike Noel (sax), Robert Wilson (guitar ex-Maximum Strength), Gerard Hill (bass ex-Emperors), Arthur Scribner (keyboards, vocals ex-Emperors, Priority…), and Bobby Ricks (drums, vocals ex–Crosswind, Panama).
Bassist Billy Harris (Crosswind, Panama, Priority) sat in with the group when needed. They later added David Wells (soprano sax, flute), then second bassist Kevin Lunsford.
Later incarnations of the group included Yolanda Parker (vocals ex-Maximum Strength, Priority), Baretta Mercer (vocals ex-MFD & Co.), Sukarno Richardson (guitar), keyboardists Johnnie Miller, Cedric Johnson (ex-Maximum Strength), Dawoud Said, drummers Robert ‘Bug’ Lee (-Panama Band), and Amin Gumbs, saxophonist Scott Paddock…
Scribner, Harris, and Ricks went on to join the Manhattans backing band Manhattan Express, with Scribner also serving as the group’s musical director.
2008(CD) 2 A.M. Music Baretta & Rollex
