Chuck, Fred and Mike were all members of the “horn band” Stoneground which was a great band that specialized in the rock songs of the say from groups such as Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, Sly and the family stone etc. This band also had exceptional vocals and did many tunes from bands like Crosby Stills and Nash etc.
Around the end of 1970, the band broke up. Andy went off to college, Chuck went into the military, and Fred was hired and went on the road with the Lehigh Valley band, The Uproar.
By the summer of 1972, Fred had returned from his road stint and Chuck returned from the military and the 3 guys started meeting, and colaborating on songwriting etc.
Fred also was very active in the local “jam session” scene and was playing his guitar all over the area for many gigs and jams.
Chuck was busy sharpening his song-writing skills. Mike was in his final years of college.
Over the summer, they spent hours working on songs and soon decided to form a band. With hand-picked members of the highest quality we could find in the area. Fred had been at a jam where a very tall , young bass player made a huge impression on him and he searched for this player, found out it was Corey Kissinger from hamburg, a call went out, after a quick audition Corey was hired. Fred knew Mike Weidner since early childhood, and also played in a few soul bands with Mike. Both Fred and Andy played in the school stage band with Mike but Fred knew he was an excellent tallented keyboard player and Mike got the call.
All that was needed was a drummer. Many were auditioned. A local drummer was selected and rehearsals commended. We rehearsed a couple of evenings a week for a YEAR! All the while Andy was working on a marketing plan for the band. A name was selected and soon Andy had a logo, the infamous Uncle Drew character.
When we put out the word that we were taking bookings, our roster filled up quickly but a month or so before we started active gigging... the drummer decided to leave the band. In a panic Fred called his old boss Tommy Zito from the Uproar band looking for a lead on a great drummer. Tommy told me that the great Lehigh-county band, the Dooley Invention had recently broken up and the drummer, Wayne Ackey might be available. Fred gave wayne a cold-call, an auditon was set up, Wayne played one song and he was HIRED and the band was complete and ready to go!
Our first gig was at C E Cole school in Laureldale and we walked onto the stage and faced a full house...a scene that was to be repeated at all our gigs ... they were always packed. We worked almost every night until after about a year and a half, this “original” version of the band broke up . Fred left to dedicate his time to his blossoming music store business, Andy took a “day gig” in New York City, Wayne returned to the Lehigh Valley to pursue other musical endeavors. Chuck and Mike hired a few local guys and formed Uncle Drew II but that’s another story for another day.
