Sharman Strode - Keyboards and Vocals
Shar started playing piano in third grade. She went on to play
and sing for school choirs and church groups. Entertaining her
big sister by mimicking the singing voice of girls on the radio
and ladies in her church was one of her favorite past times. In
high school she enjoyed singing and dancing in the swing choir
where hot pants and white go-go boots were all the rage.
After high school she went on to sing and play with several
gospel and community groups performing in the area. Now,
once again she finds herself zipping up her white go-go boots
and heading out to play the keys and mimic the vocals styles of
the 60s and 70s.
Shar started playing piano in third grade. She went on to play
and sing for school choirs and church groups. Entertaining her
big sister by mimicking the singing voice of girls on the radio
and ladies in her church was one of her favorite past times. In
high school she enjoyed singing and dancing in the swing choir
where hot pants and white go-go boots were all the rage.
After high school she went on to sing and play with several
gospel and community groups performing in the area. Now,
once again she finds herself zipping up her white go-go boots
and heading out to play the keys and mimic the vocals styles of
the 60s and 70s.
Ron Romero - Guitar and Vocals
Born on the south side of Chicago and into a musical family, it
was certain that someday Ron would play a musical
instrument. Starting as a young lad, he played his Mom’s pots
and pans in the kitchen under her feet until one day Dad brought
home his first drum set, which his Mom and Dad immediately
regretted.
Ron’s grandmother was one of many who influenced his
musical career. She played several instruments including
piano, classical guitar, mandolin and many others. His Dad
played trumpet in jazz bands in the early days, and also plays
clarinet and harmonica. Ron’s older brother, an accomplished
guitarist and organist, has been his greatest musical influence.
His Mom, as she states, “plays the radio”…listening to that
radio has also been a big influence.
Ron has played bass and guitar for several years, having played
in almost every style of band; however his heart lies in 60’s
American and British music. His love for genre has brought him
to “Checkered Past”.
Born on the south side of Chicago and into a musical family, it
was certain that someday Ron would play a musical
instrument. Starting as a young lad, he played his Mom’s pots
and pans in the kitchen under her feet until one day Dad brought
home his first drum set, which his Mom and Dad immediately
regretted.
Ron’s grandmother was one of many who influenced his
musical career. She played several instruments including
piano, classical guitar, mandolin and many others. His Dad
played trumpet in jazz bands in the early days, and also plays
clarinet and harmonica. Ron’s older brother, an accomplished
guitarist and organist, has been his greatest musical influence.
His Mom, as she states, “plays the radio”…listening to that
radio has also been a big influence.
Ron has played bass and guitar for several years, having played
in almost every style of band; however his heart lies in 60’s
American and British music. His love for genre has brought him
to “Checkered Past”.
Keith Weatherhead - Bass and Vocals
Keith was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago.
Both of his parents were involved in music, his father having been
a violinist in a local symphony and his mother played piano and
was involved in church choirs. Keith’s introduction to music
began while he was young, starting out playing violin. As he
approached his teen years Keith’s interests began to focus on
guitar. Shortly after picking up guitar and joining a band with
some local musicians they found themselves without a bass
player. After thoughtful consideration, Keith decided to switch to
bass rather than searching for another bass player. Throughout
high school Keith played bass in local bands that played at many
of the high schools, junior colleges and universities in the area.
Those bands moved into local clubs and performed all around the
Chicagoland area. While the groups enjoyed a large local fan
base, they never left the Chicagoland club circuit.
During this time, Keith joined a unique, 45 voice Gospel Choir with
a 7 piece backing band that had a special charter project “to save
a beautiful, historic church building on the south side of Chicago
that was in danger of being condemned due to structural
issues”. The choir traveled extensively, recorded two albums
and did live television and radio performances to raise the funds
to restore the church. As that project was a success and the
issues with the building were able to be addressed, the choir was
dissolved and disbanded.
Keith was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago.
Both of his parents were involved in music, his father having been
a violinist in a local symphony and his mother played piano and
was involved in church choirs. Keith’s introduction to music
began while he was young, starting out playing violin. As he
approached his teen years Keith’s interests began to focus on
guitar. Shortly after picking up guitar and joining a band with
some local musicians they found themselves without a bass
player. After thoughtful consideration, Keith decided to switch to
bass rather than searching for another bass player. Throughout
high school Keith played bass in local bands that played at many
of the high schools, junior colleges and universities in the area.
Those bands moved into local clubs and performed all around the
Chicagoland area. While the groups enjoyed a large local fan
base, they never left the Chicagoland club circuit.
During this time, Keith joined a unique, 45 voice Gospel Choir with
a 7 piece backing band that had a special charter project “to save
a beautiful, historic church building on the south side of Chicago
that was in danger of being condemned due to structural
issues”. The choir traveled extensively, recorded two albums
and did live television and radio performances to raise the funds
to restore the church. As that project was a success and the
issues with the building were able to be addressed, the choir was
dissolved and disbanded.
Mark Lega - Drums and Vocals
Drummer Mark Lega comes from a talented musical family in which his father and two of his
brothers made a living as musicians. His father was Teddy Lee, a Chicagoland legend in the Big
Band arena and his youngest brother Chris is an accomplished Jazz Saxophonist who has
recorded with Jazz Members Big Band and traveled the world playing alto sax for Ray Charles.
Following in his father's footsteps, Mark played saxophone as a child, but always wanted to play
drums. He actually played 60's music in a grade school rock and roll band ...and yes...they
played Louie Louie!! His first drum set came from his younger brother John, who plays bass
with several local bands, and who encouraged Mark to pursue his passion for 60’s rock and
British invasion music. Mark played for 3 years with the No Hit Wonders a suburban Chicago
classic rock band and for two years with Mad Fish an eclectic blues, country rock and classic
rock band. He is a 60’s rock trivia buff, favoring strong vocal groups like the Beatles,
Searchers, Hollies, Byrds, and CSN, who showcase complex harmonies. He is also a big fan of
the 60’s Chicago bands; The New Colony Six, The Buckinghams, The Cryan’ Shames, The
American Breed, etc.
Drummer Mark Lega comes from a talented musical family in which his father and two of his
brothers made a living as musicians. His father was Teddy Lee, a Chicagoland legend in the Big
Band arena and his youngest brother Chris is an accomplished Jazz Saxophonist who has
recorded with Jazz Members Big Band and traveled the world playing alto sax for Ray Charles.
Following in his father's footsteps, Mark played saxophone as a child, but always wanted to play
drums. He actually played 60's music in a grade school rock and roll band ...and yes...they
played Louie Louie!! His first drum set came from his younger brother John, who plays bass
with several local bands, and who encouraged Mark to pursue his passion for 60’s rock and
British invasion music. Mark played for 3 years with the No Hit Wonders a suburban Chicago
classic rock band and for two years with Mad Fish an eclectic blues, country rock and classic
rock band. He is a 60’s rock trivia buff, favoring strong vocal groups like the Beatles,
Searchers, Hollies, Byrds, and CSN, who showcase complex harmonies. He is also a big fan of
the 60’s Chicago bands; The New Colony Six, The Buckinghams, The Cryan’ Shames, The
American Breed, etc.
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