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The Rhythm Express
Rhythm
Express
The front line: Tony, Bobby, Anthony and
John (Beau)
Promo photo in Forest Park. Management was
thinking of changing the band name to "10 Different People", thus the guy with
his backed turned (who was actually a neighborhood musician named Kenny Mauer.
Greenpoint Gazette promotion of the 1976
BiCentennial Barge celebration
Joe & Beau in Warner-Atlantic studio
Carl at Warner-Atlantic studio
Warner-Atlantic 4th floor sign reads: 4th Floor
Warner Communications Building
ATCO RECORDS 408
BIG TREE RECORDS 408
COTILLION RECORDS 420
21 BRANDS INC. 401
WARNER BROS MUSIC and STUDIO 404
THE WARNER CORNER 402
The Rhythm Express was formed late 1975, early 1976. Their first
manager was Mike Carlo. It included former members of local bands like Tarkus, Southern
Earth, and local vocalist. Their first informal gig was at Mt Carmel Feast in Brooklyn.
Their 1st recording sessions were in 1977 and were followed by recordings of songs that
included What a difference a day makes, Wildflower, Carnival of Love, Dancin' Memoirs,
Makes me feel good inside, I'm Gonna Miss You, and 3 acapella tracks. In 1979 they
were signed to a subsidiary of Warner-Atlantic records known as Emerald City Records.
Under the short lived management of Lou Carr Entertainment,
the Rhythm Express worked with some of the industry’s inner-circle
names of the day including Jerry Lewis (MDS telethon), Joe Franklin,
and Jimmy Angel (Delite Records). But it was a sudden change in management in the
late 70’s, along with the exposure, and the buzz that lead to the band opening
for Deborah Harry (Blondie) at the infamous Anti-Anita Bryant festival on
NYC’s Christopher Street where over 10,000 danced the night (and Anita) away.
By the late 70’s, under the new management of a well
known Bleeker Street entrepreneur, Artie Pucante, the band was picked up
by Emerald City Records, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records, where they were
showcased at the 75 Rock Warner Brothers studio facility as the next
big disco & R&B act. However, as the decade ended (along with the genre), The
Rhythm Express disbanded. The group included:
Lead Vocal - John Curcio
1st Tenor - Tony Torre
2nd Tenor - Bobby Tramutra
Baritone - Anthony Ferzola
Guitar - Carl Battista
Guitar - Joe Kirsch
Bass - John Rivetti
Keyboards - Sal Ferzola
Drums - Brian Falco
