Velvet Crosswalk

Cleveland, 1971-5

The Velvet Crosswalk started as a horn band that played the Corral. The band leader was Tim "Tee" Cernan on keyboards and bass. Joe Kurilec was the drummer, Ken Ratajczak played trumpet, John Grae played tenor sax, and Mike Hasinski played alto sax. The band also had Bob (last name unknown) as lead singer and bass guitar. and a guitarist whose name is unknown.

John Grae provides some more details: "Mike Hasinski, John Grae, and Ken Ratajczak were friends and went to Garfield Hts. High, in Garfield Hts., Ohio. Mike and Joe Kurilek  were brother-in-laws. Mike recruited me (John) and Ken to complete the horn section.  Mike played alto sax, I played tenor sax, and Ken played trumpet.  Bob ? wWas our singer and also played bass guitar.  Joe came up with the name, Velvet Crosswalk and we all accepted it as our band name. We did write two original songs.  Joe had Joe Mayer and his wife, from WHK 1420 come to Tim's basement to hear us and possibly back us.  Unfortunately that did not work out."

In 1972 the band changed to backing singer Alan Broze and they played the lounge circuit, including travelling out of state. Mick Bruno was the new guitarist. Al Riche was the drummer as of January 1973. The band restarted as Velvet Crosswalk in November 1973, with  Bill Wischmeier on guitar. They also played lthe lounge circuit, and according to newspaper accounts, travelled to Michigan and Key West.

Tim Cernan had been in the Solid Gold (as was Mick Bruno). He passed away in 2014.

Thanks to John Grae