Vikings, Barry & the

Annapolis based R&B band noted as being one of the first successful blue-eyed R&B groups in the area. Lead vocalist Barry Gregory joined in 1963. He became known regionally as the ‘blue-eyed Otis Redding’ and the group became known as Barry & the Vikings.

According to Barry “Barry & the Vikings hailed from Annapolis, Maryland. We were the first blue-eyed soul band to gain success from the area. I joined The Vikings in 1963 after successfully working with groups from high school days, the 7th Army Band, California groups and local groups as a drummer and vocalist. The Vikings ages ranged from 14 (John) to 26 (Barry). When our record hit the airwaves, our notoriety exploded. We became very much in demand. Kerby Scott from WYRE and Hoppy Adams from WANN were very instrumental in our success. ‘I Love You, Yes I Do’ was the most requested song on WYRE for three weeks straight. Our success also made it possible to appear on stage with The Dave Clark Five USA Tour at the Baltimore Civic Center. Due to age differences with some of the members we were not able to continue touring. The Vikings were short-lived and I went on with a solo career working with various groups within the Baltimore metro area and throughout the United States and Europe.”

The group included Joey Jewell (guitar), John Petrini (keyboards), Tom Petrini (bass), Terry Riley (drums), Gene Thomas (sax ex-Moditones), plus Vince (trombone), and Allan (tenor sax)… Jewell was later replaced with guitarist Dave Wagner (ex-Bobby & the Martels). Locally they performed at Leo’s Hollywood Park in Essex while also playing various teen centers and clubs throughout Baltimore, D.C., Annapolis, and the Eastern Shore. Sporting Beatle boots and Beatle haircuts, Barry & the Vikings opened for the Dave Clark 5 at the Civic Center in 1965.

The group toured nationally with many popular artists including the Dave Clark Five, Fats Domino, Platters, Otis Redding, Mitch Ryder, James Brown, and many others.

Wagner went on to join Norman’s Norts. Gregory (see bio) later toured with Mitch Ryder for several years. After enjoying a successful gospel music career in the ‘80s he joined the New Sentries in the ‘90s and continued to perform with them as a backup group for Charlie Thomas & the Drifters.