User:Poppapete/The Pied Pipers

The Pied Pipers The Pied Pipers formed in 1964 as a garage rock band from the steel city of Youngstown, Ohio. They honed their skills at sock hops at Cardinal Mooney High School. As the lead guitarist, Les Moro provided the musical genius and creativity for the recordings. Bassist Pete Pompura handled the bookings and management logistics. Lenny Krispinsky played the drums and Kenny Nash played rhythm guitar. Dynamic and unpredictable frontman lead singer Dennis Sesonsky, a clone of Mick Jagger, kept the fans wondering what new antics each performance would bring. AKA Dennis T. Menass, Sesonsky gave the audience a unique Rolling Stones show that in part mimicked the Who as he destroyed musical instruments on stage.

The Pied Pipers first 45, covers done earlier by Sam and Dave was"Hey Joe" and "Hold On I'm Coming", an instantaneous hit with the YTown teen crowd. Done at WAM Records in July of 1966, "Hey Joe" was a faster paced rendition of the original and rose quickly on WHOT's radio Hot Hit Tunedex. Interestingly, during the same time frame In California, the Leaves did an album with the same name and enjoyed huge popularity. The Pied Pipers are recognized as members of Youngstown.s Rock and Roll History and Hall of Fame "YRRH". Later, the group recorded their second 45 - an original with lyrics by Dennis and Les called "Stay in My Life". Again the flip side was another cover by Sam and Dave called - "You Don't Know Like I Know". The studio was Cleveland Recording in Ohio, home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Produced on the Hamlin Town label, airplay by WHOT's popular DJ Boots Bell made it the Pipers second big hit record.

The Pied Pipers favorite venue was the Idora Park, sharing the stage with many world class bands from England and the USA. The Park's Kove served the college crowd, while teens rocked out in the Ballroom.

New members came on the scene with Rich Gula with his twin Vox amplifiers as lead guitar and drummer Brad Naples, a Boardman High student, from the Clockwork Blues. Todd Stevenson joined in as rhythm guitar. Pete Pompura.s last gig with the band was at the psychadelic Freak Out in Niles.He left the band to focus on his teaching career and Todd Stevenson learned to play his Fender Telecaster bass. Lead guitarist Dick Belley of "Nobody But Me" Human Beingz fame joined the Pipers after the Beingz broke up at the conclusion of their Japan Tour.

Pete Pompura and Dick Belley later joined in with Target, a country rock group that was the houseband at motorcycle bar in a suburb of Warren. Dennis T. Menass Sesonsky joined the Left End as frontman. Their album "Spoiled Rotten" rocketed them to stardom. Youtube.com provides a wealth of musical memorabilia.