Originating in Annapolis, the Van Dykes were one of the area’s most popular groups and most memorable names from the ‘60s. Ask anyone about local ‘60s bands and the Van Dykes are almost always the first name mentioned.
The R&B group was formed by Roland Brown (drums), and Reggie Harris aka ‘Tiny Tim’ Harris (sax) in 1954. Reggie (not to be confused with Baltimore’s vocalist Tiny Tim Harris, was nicknamed due to his large size). Early members included Roland (drums), Joe Brown (guitar, lead vocals), John Brown (bass) who was later replaced with D.C. based bass guitarist Joe Woods, John Bryant (trombone), Albert Brown (alto sax)… The early group also featured female lead vocalist Miss Pat Winn. They recorded demos of “Ling Ting Tong” and “Hello Little Boy” at WANN studio.
Del Puschert aka “Big Daddy’, Annapolis based tenor saxophonist, worked with Chick Brown’s band in the early ‘50s. They played throughout the Annapolis area, Glen Burnie, Baltimore clubs on the block… Del’s travels took him to the Hut Club in Texarkana in 1953 where he became friends with a young Elvis Presley. At the time, Presley was a virtually unknown musician who was passing through town on his way to perform on the Louisiana Hayride. Elvis sat in with the band that night, and made it a point to stop in and see Del’s group whenever he was passing through.
Puschert returned to Maryland in 1956. He ran into Roland Brown who asked him to join the Van Dykes.
Managed by Roland Brown (who also managed the Pipe Dreamers), the Van Dykes played at many school dances and proms, clubs including the Crystal Ballroom, Rhapsody, Hollywood Park, Latin Casino, Sparrow’s Beach, Carr’s Beach, the Rockin’ Robin Show on August 14, 1966 at the Civic Center… They were the house band at Sparrow’s Beach for eight years. The Maiden Choice Teen Center and Arbutus Teen Center were always packed for their performances.
Their 1962 line-up featured Calvin Offer (lead singer who had replaced Pat Winn), Del Puschert (tenor sax), Albert Brown (alto sax), John Bryant (trombone), John Coates (guitar), Joe Wood (bass), Revlon ‘Lonnie’ Brown (keyboards), and Roland Brown (drums).
Back L-R: L. Brown, Wood, Coates, Offer. Photo courtesy of Del Puschert
Their 1962 Atlantic single “Stupidity,” a rocking soul number was written by Solomon Burke, who had seen the group at Carr’s Beach and took them to New York to record the song. Burke laid down the first vocal track to show how he wanted it sung. The classic record featured Calvin Offer on lead vocals. It was a huge local hit making the regular rotation on Baltimore radio stations including WEBB, and WWIN – but unfortunately the record failed to chart nationally. The Van Dykes also backed Burke on some studio recordings and are uncredited as backing band on several tracks from Burke’s greatest hits CD.
Van Dykes ads:
High School dance.
Puschert left the band in the late ‘60s to form his own band that played throughout the hotel circuit in the D.C. area.
In the ‘70s the Van Dykes returned to the stage under the management of the Music Lovers of America Talent Agency which booked them in local clubs.
The Van Dykes reunited for a 1996 benefit dance for the Revisions Foundation. A live CD was issued to commemorate the event. Unfortunately, Calvin was ill for the date and passed away shortly thereafter. Another reunion dance was held in 1997.
A 1998 dance was organized by Rich Levine. The lineup for the show consisted of Roland Brown (drums), Tom Newman (guitar), Mooney Day (vocals ex-XPD’s), John Bryant (trombone), Barry Brown (drums), Mike Powell (trumpet), Albert Brown (sax), Del Puschert (sax), Bill Brown (bass), Shahid (keyboards), and Rich Levine (keyboards). Levine recalled that “it was an incredible show… needless to say, when the Van Dykes played “Stupidity” everyone went wild!”
Since then, the group has performed at Baltimore Zoomerang, Baltimore’s Best Party at Power Plant Live, annual reunions, and various corporate events and weddings. The ‘90s-00s Van Dykes included many original members including Albert Brown, Bill Brown, John Bryant, and Roland Hall (trumpet). The drummer Darin Brown is Roland’s grandson. Also in the band were Barry Brown, Michael Brown (vocals), Dallas Pace (keyboards), and Tom Newman (guitar).
Puschert continued to play in the ‘00s, splitting time between his Austin Texas based western swing group the Cornell Hurd Band, and Maryland where he could be seen with the New Sentries, and the Van Dykes.
Record release by the Van Dykes:
1962 Atlantic 2161 Stupidity / King of Fools
