Group formed by Towson High School grad Tom Moore. The Capris were a 10-piece variety band that played BS&T and other Top-40 horn band sounds. An early line-up included vocalists Gary Putnam, and Pat Godman. Rhythm section Tom Moore (guitar), Mike Bryles (bass), Neil Bates (keyboard), and Tony Coliano (drums). The Capris horn section consisted of Keith Ayre (sax), Dave Thomas (trumpet), Curt Wilson (trumpet), and trombonist Jim Ulman, then Jeff Barrett.
Bill Parrish (ex-Escorts) played bass for 2 years when Mike Bryles went on a military assignment. Mike re-joined the band when he returned.
The group played teen centers, school dances, and clubs. A 1969 schedule included appearances at Dulaney, Perry Hall, Sparrows Point High Schools, Queen Anne’s, Frederick, Loyola, Boys Latin, University of Virginia…
Additional members throughout the ‘70s included Steve Geyer (drums), Frank Fertida (trumpet ex-Inner Cyrkle), and Rick Piniecki (brass ex-Chevelles, Stoneberry Blue).
By 1978 the Capris lineup featured long-time members Neil Bates (keys, vocals), and Jeff Barrett (trombone, keys, vocals), with Nondo Tosti (guitar), John Sheridan (bass), Jay Stinemire (lead vocals, drums ex-Inner Cyrkle), Randy Eckley (drums ex-Sage), Fred Bradley (trumpet, flute), and Gene Wood (sax). Tosti was replaced with Bunky Markert (ex-Staggerwing) in 1982. This lineup remained intact until 1988 when the group split.
_________________________________________________________
Thanks to Neil Bates for these great News American clips from 1969 featuring the Capris, and a glimpse at a lost world of teen-to-teen advertising.
