The Avalons

The Fabulous Avalons came on the scene. Four guys, who for their age and experience, brought out a very clean and tight sound. Not long after the transition from the Vikings to The Avalons, Gary Ellinger, the original drummer for The Vikings came on board and we shared the stage for the remainder of the time the Avalons were together. Somewhere along the way we dropped the “fabulous” and became known simply as The Avalons. As months became years, we added a piano player, another horn man and a fantastic front man, Joe Sembly, who helped us define the genre that we would become known for. Bring on the Beach Music and that solid Motown R&B sound.

This was right at the time when R&B was sweeping the nation and still a couple of years before the British Invasion. I remember this time as a time when there were great groups around the Baltimore, Annapolis, and D.C. area. Because of this we had to commit to lots of hard work and dedication to become one of the best. I remember bands like: The Van Dykes, The Pipe Dreamers, The Admirals, The Echoes, The Vikings and The Moditones just to name a few. Remember the Buddy Dean Show? Man I do!

Anyway, with the band members now seasoned ,well rehearsed, and with a vision that we could leap tall buildings in a single bound, we knew that we needed to expand from the college and local dance scene, so it was off to D.C to land our 1st six night a week house gig at The Keg in Georgetown. We found out early on that being a house band took on another dimension, not only did the band need to have the music of the past but had to learn and replicate the songs that were on the charts at that time as well. We also learned about the need to be constantly changing the show.

When it came time to leave the local area to head out country wide, we were picked up by Clay Pitts Associates LTD in New York. With plenty of work and lots of travel, we played many top clubs around the country and even out of the states. I remember working with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins in Montreal. What a hoot! The road was an important part of our growth and experience.

We never made the charts ourselves but did spend time in the studio along the way.

The studio was a good experience for the group and also opened yet another area of the business for me. We’ll talk about my love for original work and recording later on.

I would like to mention the musicians who played a part in the The Fabulous Avalons. Please click on their names for a quick, pop up story

Things were going great for The Avalons until that fateful day, driving out of New York, when I decided to take a nap at 60 miles per hours. A van filled with gear and a stalled tanker truck ahead of me. Not a pretty sight. This left me with several bones broken including three compound fractures of the legs. ouch! After months of recoup and the band having moved on, it appeared the music days were over.

There was one little attempt to regroup with a band called “F-Troupe”. I will say that I needed the time in that band to experience the soulful sound of a singer named Tim Profett. I knew, that if I could ever do anything vocally, it would be influenced by how Tim could bring out the color in a song. He was very, very connected to his talent of singing. Very powerful, yet he could deliver a ballad with ability like I had never heard. Thanks Tim, you made a inspirational and lasting effect on me.

So, performing days seemed to be over, and they were until a certain musician/singer asked me why I wasn’t performing any more? Doug Sherbert (Bowen) wanted to form a new group and man was a new group formed. This was the time of 3 Dog Night, Grand Funk Railroad, and the like, not the Beach music and R&B I had cut my teeth on.And vocals?...not Brooke? He just plays the guitar and leaves the vocals up to the other guys right?. ”We’ll see”, thought Sherbert... which brings us to “The Davidson Exchange” Story.

ps. While you're here, please sign my GUESTBOOK to let me know you stopped by.
thanks,
Brooke

memories via email
Duncan Bradbury	Rich Greengold

webmasters note: As Brooke's baby brother, I grew up with these pictures, always thinking "Wow, I wanna do that". Now, after 25 years as a full time musician and with way too many toys, I still want Geoff's double neck. If you have stories or memories of The Avalons, please drop an Email to robbie.meade@gmail.com
Brooke can also be reached at basic_ministries@cox.net

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The Fabulous Avalons, The Avalons, Clay Pitts, Annapolis, Doo Wop, The Twist, James Brown, Annapolis, Annapolis, petrini, Bob O'Day, Edgar Dove, Ed Dove, Judson Martin, Juddy Martin, Allan Fowler, Joe Sembly, The Vikings, The Del Vikings, Barry Gregory, Brooke Meade, Gary Ellinger, Ray Brokamp, Dale Rorer, Sterling Spell, Geoff Pratt, Jimmy Slebzak, Darlynn Rorer, Lynn Slebzak, Class of 64, Annapolis High School, ahs64,

Gary Ellinger-drums	Judson Martin-drums	Bob O’Day-bass	Sterling Spell-bass
Geoff Pratt-bass	Lenny Shaw-bass	Allen Fowler-sax	Jimmy Slebzak-sax
Edgar Dove-sax	Dale Rorer-sax	Ray Brokamp-keys	Joe Sembly-vocals
Greg Orrigo-Drums	Brooke Meade-guitar

Two mp3s from Allan Fowler
Since You've Been Gone	Try Me