Formed by Reisterstown neighborhood friends Ron Cook (guitar), Chris Farrell (keyboards), Gary Dorschell (bass), and Barry Lloyd (drums). They began practicing in the Cook’s carport. While Ron worked during the day hanging drywall, he noticed his supervisor casually singing while he worked. Realizing the potential, he asked Bill Joy to join the band. The line-up was set. They began playing local teen centers – then moving on to the club scene.
The Verdicts could be seen at The White Gables (their first club job), the Hideaway, Bobby’s Club DeVille in Brooklyn, finally becoming one of the house bands at the famed Rhapsody Club. The Verdicts, a guitar combo, were somewhat different from the other bands that frequented the Rhapsody like the larger soul bands the Upsetters, and the Van Dykes. The band played the Top-40 hits of the day along with some blue-eyed soul and the British sounds. For over six years the band played at the Rhapsody and had the opportunity of playing alongside – or backing up – many of the big-name headliners that appeared there including Mitch Ryder, Otis Redding, Dovells, Orlons, Ronnie Dove, and many others.
Guitarist Roy Walman was eventually added to the group, and Joy learned to play the harmonica. Inevitable personnel changes also took place over the years. Cook was called on by Uncle Sam being replaced with guitarist Bill Bussels (ex-Specs). Bob Funk (ex-Del-Vikings, Morgan’s Pirates) replaced Dorschell on bass, while Sonny ‘Lurch’ Clutter replaced Lloyd on drums. Lurch had once played a 1-year stint at the Rhapsody Club with the Van Dykes in place of Roland Brown who had taken time off due to a heart attack.
On double bills at the Rhapsody Lurch played with both the Verdicts and the Van Dykes. Vocalist/songwriter Kenny Kerns did a stint with the group before going on to perform with Joe Lily, Claude Grant, and many others.
The Verdicts could also be seen as the house band at Capt. Harvey’s on Friday and Saturday nights in 1967 while Joy sang there on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. In 1970 they appeared at the Chanticleer as Billy Joy & the Verdicts, while also travelling nationally including Las Vegas clubs. They returned home playing another stint at the Rhapsody for a while before disbanding in 1971.
Cook went on to join Cindy & the Censations, the Sentries, and all the while a highly respected guitar repairman at Bill’s Music House. Dorschell also joined the Sentries, Rhythm Method…. Lloyd became a member of Legend, Time Machine, Rhythm Method…. Walman joined the New Censations. ‘Lurch’ joined A New Day, Krackerjax, and worked with many other groups. Joy and Funk went on to perform with Grok. Bussels later with the Changing Tymes…
Single releases by the Verdicts:
196* O’Dell 111 Love’s in Vain / Turtle Neck Sweaters
As Billy Joy & the Verdicts:
1969 Hope 558/559 When You Cry / One Twenty One
Verdicts history based on the article by Jim Mays from ‘Charmed Times.’
