R & B and variety group evolved from the Chaumonts. Upon the departure of former lead vocalist who kept the name, the group chose to use the name “Saturday” as they heard on the high energy radio advertisements of Capitol Drag Raceway “…Saturday!… Funny cars!…”
Saturday performed mostly at corporate events, as well as weddings, bull roasts, proms, etc… They played quite often and were able to provide a mix of pop and R&B ranging from dinner music to dance. In fact, at one point Paul Johns, leader and saxophonist, joked that the group should have been named “Eclectic” due to their vast repertoire. Gigs were plentiful in the Baltimore area as well as central Pennsylvania where they were also very popular.
The early members of Saturday included Paul Johns (alto sax), Raul Sushman (tenor sax), Ronnie Bang (trumpet) later replaced with Tony Neenan, Ken Kennedy (trombone) later replaced with Dwight Smith, Carl Filipiak (guitar), Ray Gagne (bass) later replaced with Robert Bell, Robert ‘Bobby’ Rucks (keyboards), and Fred Grimmel (drums)…
As with most groups of longevity, over the years the group members changed, according to Paul “with a new guy here, and a new guy there… We eventually dropped from four horns to three, and finally two.” The group employed numerous music students, many from Peabody.
Early on they tried a couple female lead vocalists, then Jimmy Dotson came on board. He provided lead vocals for about five years, before deciding to move on to the Atlantic City scene. Replacing Dotson was former Bleu Light Al Townes.
The longest running lineup featured Townes (lead vocals), Bruce Casteel (guitar ex-Knights, Tremolos), Ron Tilghman (bass ex-Bleu Lights), Bob Spaulding (drums), Charlie Lewis (trumpet), Stanley Meros (trumpet), and Paul Johns (alto sax)…
Bass guitarist Rick Dempsey was with the group for a while before joining Patch. Townes was replaced on lead vocals with Phil Hendricks who stayed with the group for about ten years. Hendricks was later replaced with Erica ‘Nikki’ Scoggins as lead vocalist from ‘80s through late ‘90s (she later went on to sing gospel music)… Drummer Tyrone Johnson (ex-Last Dynasty, Arterials) was with the group circa 1978-80.
Saturday continued to perform in the ‘00s. Seen in ’05 at the Kennedy Center Millenium Show. Members in ‘00s included Johns, Tilghman, with Cindy Burns (lead vocals ex-Fragile), Dave Senkus (guitar), Kevin Cronin (keys), Jeremy Meeks (trumpet), and Lynne Cook (drums).
Kennedy and his wife went on to tour nationally. Lewis played on TV’s Saturday Night Live. Bang became a music teacher at Gilman School. Casteel went on to teach guitar at Howard Community College.
Saturday recorded at Ru-Jac Records and released a couple singles in 1971. Songs written by Robert Bell, Paul Johns, Martin Carter, and Leroy Arrington, arrangements by Paul Johns. Saturday also backed Jimmy Dotson on his two Aar-O-Dot singles.
1971 Ru-Jac 1971 Changes (Pt. 1) / Changes (Pt. 2)
1971 Ru-Jac 81171 The Drums and Bells of Christmas / Love of A Child
