Freedom Band (1975)

Back Row l-r: Kenny Walentukonis, Bob Sandor, Kenny Meyers. Front row i-r: Dominic Bartolini, Kenny Chick

Sometime in the fall of 1974 when I was in 9th grade, I went to this dance at the CYO on South Broad St. There was this band with these older guys from my High School playing there. Guitars, drums, amplifiers and girls.This was very cool! From then on I became a pest to them (they were real nice to me and never seemed to mind!) and eventually became their friend and roadie. I went to several gigs with them and had a whole lot of fun.Yes, this was very cool!

Kenny is a terrific drummer. He was a real showman, he had this clear Fibes drum kit and would surround it with strobe lights. When he hit a fever pitch in his 15 minute drum solo he would switch on the strobes. It was a great effect (hey, I was 14 at the time and easily impressed).

The drums shown in this picture were given to him by Paul Anka. His parents took him to a Paul Anka show when he was little and somehow Kenny got to play with the band. Paul was so impressed, he sent him this drum set.

Devotion started out as a Disco band but eventually changed their name to a Easy Street and played Rock and Roll. The one thing they had going for them was 4 very strong vocalists. They did a excellent Beatles medley that I'd swear Brian and Tim Mahoney heard one night, and from it, created a whole tribute show (and career) !

Devotion / Easy Street (1978)

l-r: Bob Sandor, Mark Masiello, Chuck DeAngelo, George White

I knew and worked with Bob in The Freedom Band and Mark was in my music class at school. They had this band and asked me if I would be their light man (I was terrible). So as a 17 y/o senior in H.S., on weekends I would be working the Sit n' Sip lounge or at the Aquarius .

In 1980, Mark Masiello (left), and Chuck DeAngelo recorded a single as a duo called Chaaz.

(sorry for the bad pic)