From left to right:
Richie Bora – B3 and vocals
Dave Cancell – Drums
Bruce Herring – Vocals
Tony Petrigliano – Guitar & Vocals
Childe Harold was born in the Flame Cafe in Ozone Park in the spring of 1967. The band was put together by Bruce Herring (lead singer/front man) who hand-picked the guys from several other bands. The other members were Richie Bora (Hammond B3 and vocals) Dave Cancell (drums) and Tony Petrigliano (guitar and vocals). There was also a bassist for a short time, but he left the group and Richie took up the slack on the B3 bass pedals. The first rehearsal was pure magic with a synergy that was unforgettable.
The band then retreated to the basement of Richie’s mother’s candy store on Woodhaven Boulevard for several months to develop its act. Their style could best be described as “Performance Rock” and featured grand arrangements of popular songs which included lights, a fog machine and magnesium flares. The light show was built and produced by Mike Nelson, a friend of Bruce’s younger brother, Gary (they both served unselfishly as road men for the band). Although they never recorded, they were briefly courted by Kama Sutra records.
Childe Harold played at all the area clubs: Mickey’s Part 2, One Eyed Jack and Bay Lounge to name a few. They also played many gigs in the city at the Peppermint Lounge, Trude Heller’s, the Electric circus and the Cheetah. They were a regular attraction on the WMCA Good Guy shows in 1967 and opened concerts for the Yardbirds, Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, and many others.
SONGS