Tonight's show features the music of Eddie Floyd and Doc Pomus and there are other great songs and musicians as well. The group, at the left, is Jon Bartel and The Soul Masters from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.
I found the pix while googling. It's a bit later in their career as you can tell by the 70's haircuts.
Back in the mid/late 60's this group played predominately black clubs all across the northeast. They packed the house, by the way. I first saw them at Lawson's in Harrisburg. Whenever they were in town I made it a point to stop in and just listen. Jon could kick hell out of a B3 and Larry O'Brian was the first person I ever heard sing the notes as he was playing them. I know, big deal, but this was before anyone heard of George Benson.
As musical tastes changed in the 70's so did the group. They tried to move into the "fusion" sound of BS&T etc. but I always felt they were at their best playing jazz and soul. Great memories of a terrific band.
Have a great week and remember, July 15th is our request night. Send those e-mails and I'll do my best.
Thank you for joining us.
PD
In the summer of 1967, I was on leave from IGMR summer camp. A group of ROTC Cadets and myself went to Harrisburg for a night on the town. We went to Lawsons and heard Jon and the Soulmasters. From outside, I thought it was an all Black group. I walked in and saw this whiteboy wailing on the B3. What a night. I also had my first Philly Cheese steak, that night. I never forgot this group. Everytime I eat a cheese steak, I think of them.
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