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Eden Rock is an American rock band who entertained in clubs and other popular venues in the Midwest from 1970 through 1978. The band consisted of a bass, drums, guitar and keyboard quartet with a unique male duet fronting their shows and featured in their recordings. The band also offered powerful four-part vocal harmonies and instrumental woodwind coloration. The band was one of the most popular live acts in the Chicago area along with having a number of original releases such as “Dancin’ Shoes”; “How I Wonder”; “Nice to Be Together” and “In Paradise”. Almost all of the members of Eden Rock went on to have stellar solo careers and as of this writing have reorganized the band’s alumni into a composing and recording company also titled Eden Rock. Their new collection is scheduled for release in February of 2021 lead by the singles “City of Big Shoulders” and “Baby Its You”.

Origins

The origins of Eden Rock go as far back as the early 1960’s in high schools on the northwest side of Chicago. Mike Walker, the bands drummer sat next to bass player Bob Camastro in class where the two of them formed a friendship centered around their music. As they finished up their high school years they played together in a number of local bands performing as young musicians in night clubs throughout the Midwest. During that time, they learned to play together and would compose and practice bass/drum grooves until they could read each other’s minds. Their work got the attention of Phil Barrile who was busy making a name for himself as an upcoming premier guitar player and vocalist. It was inevitable that the three of them would get together with the dream of forming a new and better band. The last piece of the quartet puzzle was the addition of Jack DeFiore, an outstanding local keyboard player on B3 and piano. So, by the spring of 1970 the core of the band was formed. And although daily rehearsals began in earnest, it didn’t take long for the new quartet to realize that they needed help with vocals if they wanted to achieve their musical objectives. Without delay, the search for a lead singer was underway.

This was an era of live music in Chicago. Many new bands were being formed so competition for talent was fierce. Through his musical contacts, however, Barrile managed to organize an audition with Frank Lombardo who was fortunately between projects at the time. To everyone’s surprise, Lombardo came to the audition with his good friend and colleague Al Sofia. Sofia was also a singer looking for a new project so at first it appeared as though the new quartet would have their choice between the two male singers. Lombardo and Sofia were, of course, auditioning the band as much as the band was auditioning them.

Lombardo stepped up to the microphone first as the band ran through a short set of standard Motown tunes. Lombardo is a soulful singer with the uncommon ability to explode the funk-factor of any song he sings. Sofia’s performance was entirely different. His smooth and silky voice was ideal for pop songs and ballads which was the type of music he enjoyed singing the most. Regardless of style, however, both singers blew away the four guys in the quartet and vice versa. In the end, the decision was an easy one. The band would include both singers and from this combination a unique sound would emerge. They would become the two-dog-night of Three Dog Night fame. As a bonus, Lombardo was a very accomplished alto sax player which added another dimension to the band’s sound and scope.

Origins

The origins of Eden Rock go as far back as the early 1960’s in high schools on the northwest side of Chicago. Mike Walker, the bands drummer sat next to bass player Bob Camastro in class where the two of them formed a friendship centered around their music. As they finished up their high school years they played together in a number of local bands performing as young musicians in night clubs throughout the Midwest. During that time, they learned to play together and would compose and practice bass/drum grooves until they could read each other’s minds. Their work got the attention of Phil Barrile who was busy making a name for himself as an upcoming premier guitar player and vocalist. It was inevitable that the three of them would get together with the dream of forming a new and better band. The last piece of the quartet puzzle was the addition of Jack DeFiore, an outstanding local keyboard player on B3 and piano. So, by the spring of 1970 the core of the band was formed. And although daily rehearsals began in earnest, it didn’t take long for the new quartet to realize that they needed help with vocals if they wanted to achieve their musical objectives. Without delay, the search for a lead singer was underway.

This was an era of live music in Chicago. Many new bands were being formed so competition for talent was fierce. Through his musical contacts, however, Barrile managed to organize an audition with Frank Lombardo who was fortunately between projects at the time. To everyone’s surprise, Lombardo came to the audition with his good friend and colleague Al Sofia. Sofia was also a singer looking for a new project so at first it appeared as though the new quartet would have their choice between the two male singers. Lombardo and Sofia were, of course, auditioning the band as much as the band was auditioning them.

Lombardo stepped up to the microphone first as the band ran through a short set of standard Motown tunes. Lombardo is a soulful singer with the uncommon ability to explode the funk-factor of any song he sings. Sofia’s performance was entirely different. His smooth and silky voice was ideal for pop songs and ballads which was the type of music he enjoyed singing the most. Regardless of style, however, both singers blew away the four guys in the quartet and vice versa. In the end, the decision was an easy one. The band would include both singers and from this combination a unique sound would emerge. They would become the two-dog-night of Three Dog Night fame. As a bonus, Lombardo was a very accomplished alto sax player which added another dimension to the band’s sound and scope.

Marketing Plan

In doing research on original material they came across a one-album band from NYC named The Fifth Avenue Band. The album had a song which they loved so much that they used the song title to name their new group. The name of the song was Eden Rock. With their name selected the guys started working on a musical and commercial game plan. Like all of its competitors, the band’s primary objective was to land a record deal. The reality however, was that building a band costs money and they also had bills to pay. As such, a two pronged marketing approach was adopted – play danceable pop music in clubs and compose, arrange and record original music off stage. With their work cut out for them they rented a store-front on an industrial street in Oak Park and set out to build their practice studio between daily rehearsals.

The band was first managed by George Koester, singer in The Bondsmen, who many Chicago people remember for their frequently played Santa Fe Speedway radio commercial. Koester put together a media package, booked the band’s first gigs and landed them some commercial work with a major retailor called Just Jeans. Koester got the band off to a good start but they still needed more help.

A great deal of that help came from Leo Grazziano the percussionist of Ask Rufus (later renamed Chaka Kahn and Rufus). Grazziano took the band under his wing and became an invaluable friend and mentor. He got the band together with Jimmy Stella, also of Ask Rufus fame. Stella took on the role as the band’s manager when Koester left to pursue other interests. In turn, Stella hooked the band up with Rose Mann who became the band’s booking agent. Mann was the premier booking agent in the City at the time and later became president of the famous Record Plant Recording Studio in LA.

Initial Success

Eden Rock achieved success in all of its endeavors. As a live act they took the Midwest by storm. Lombardo and Sofia were natural stage performers who developed a unique and entertaining live act and male duet vocal style. Their collective vocal talent not only allowed them to cover everything from funk to pop to easy-listening but their duets were a thing of beauty. In fact, most everyone in the band sang and Eden Rock also became known for their powerful harmonies. Their strong musicianship, vocal range and stage presence gave Eden Rock all the tools needed to rock any club or concert hall which they did night after night throughout the Midwest. The band played all of Chicago’s iconic clubs such as Mothers, The Thirsty Whale, Rush Up, Granny’s, The Holiday Ballroom and The Deep End. They also shared the stage with many emerging and successful bands such as Styx, REO Speedwagon, Baby Hughy & the Babysitters, and Deep Purple.

Although the band is still remembered by the Eden Rock faithful for their live performances, the group also made their mark in the recording studio. They composed and arranged most of the tunes they recorded under the direction of Danny Bellock who had also produced The Buckinghams, and The Mauds. Some of Eden Rock’s releases included: “Dancin’ Shoes” and “How I Wonder” - with “Nice to Be Together” and “In Paradise” being their most successful singles.

The best thing that Eden Rock had going for itself, however, was intangible. Jeff Alpert (aka Zeppo T Chaucer) replaced DeFiore on keyboard a couple years after the band was formed but other than that the band members remained the same for six solid years through 1976. The guys were like brothers.

Evolution

In the last two years of their initial run, the band saw the best of times and the worst of times. Through some additional personnel changes they had the opportunity to work with some of the best musicians in the City including Don Markese on woodwinds and Wayne Nelson on bass and vocal. Jeff Steele eventually joined the band when Nelson moved on.

Head Winds

Like all bands of that era, however, Eden Rock’s momentum in the marketplace was dramatically impacted by the Disco phenomenon of 1976 and the rise of electronically produced music. The steady reduction in opportunities for live musicians in the City caught up to the group and by the Summer of 78’ they ended this chapter of their musical careers. The break-up of the band may have marked the end to one musical success story but it was actually the beginning many others.

Continuing Careers

Phil Barrile went on to become a successful song and jingle composer as well as a premier studio recording artist. Music from his studio group xSive was featured on network TV including shows such as All My Children; As The World Turns and Families. Frank Lombardo formed a new recording group called Winchester which he relocated to California where he signed with Curb Records. Winchester performed on the Diana Shore Show, at the famous Troubadour and at many other key venues in LA as they promoted their feature single, “City Girl”. Later, Lombardo performed for fifteen years with The Convertibles - the popular LA cover soul band. Al Sofia formed The Al Sofia Orchestra with the help of Bob Camastro which became one of the highest grossing Orchestras in the history of Chicago’s black-tie music scene. Jeff Steele moved to California with Winchester and from there went on to become a prominent bass player, vocalist and producer in Los Angeles. He worked with a number of popular bands, some of which toured with Poco. Wayne Nelson also moved to LA to work with Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina. Nelson was then recruited by The Little River Band where he sang lead on the hit single “The Night Owls”. At the time of this writing Nelson is still working with The Little River Band and is the driving force behind their recording and touring projects. Don Markese, who moved to LA with Winchester, eventually became LA’s first-call woodwind artist accumulating a monumental number of musical and motion picture credits. And, while achieving this extraordinary body of work, he also performed on stage and in the studio with Neil Diamond for over thirty years up until Neil Diamond’s retirement.

Recent Years/Renewal

The Eden Rock story has still not come to an end. After a successful eight year run as a Chicago-based rock band and years of individual accomplishments, in 2019 Phil Barrile organized a reunion of the band with the intent of launching Eden Rock into its most ambitious and creative project to date. Barrile proposed that all Eden Rock alumni endeavor to compose, record and promote a portfolio of twelve brand new songs. Just about every former Eden Rock member is participating in the project in some way with Barrile, Camastro and Markese heading up the composing and production duties. At the time this article was written, the group has two songs complete including “City of Big Shoulders” and “Baby It’s You”. Another nine songs are in advanced stages of development. Internet-based release of the collection is scheduled for February, 2021.

Although this article was intended to tell the Eden Rock story, the fact is that the history of this extraordinary group of musicians is still being written. We look forward to their upcoming collection of new songs and continue to count the ways they bring recognition and pride to the Chicago music scene.

Personnel

Frank Lombardo (1970 – 1978) Al Sofia (1970 – 1977) Bob Camastro (1970 – 1976) Mike Walker (1970 – 1978) Phil Barrile (1970 – 1978) Jack DeFiore (1970 – 1973) Jeff Alpert (1972 – 1978) Don Markese (1976 – 1978) Wayne Nelson (1976 – 1977) Jeff Steele (1977 – 1978)

Discography

Dancin’ Shoes (1973)

How I Wonder (1973)

Nice to Be Together (1975)

In Paradise (1975)

Contact

Phil Barrile: edenrockusa@gmail.com