The Fabulous Pharoahs

A Newark, New Jersey group comprised of Ed Stevenson (Lead Vocals, Drums), Aubrey Fisher, (Lead Guitar), Fred Dawson (Tenor Sax & Organ), Bill Rylander (Rhythm Guitar), and Bobby Walker (Bass). They were a garage band playing songs of the day and R&B standards. Stevenson formed his own record label, Three Star Recording, and that winter their first single, "Route 66" c/w "Church Key" (written by Aubrey & Ed) was released. With a single to their credit they began playing at WAMS Radio functions for airplay. Early in 1966 an away gig in Bluefield , West Virginia drew hundreds of spectators who came to see these Philadelphia area recording artists and, while in WV, the Pharaohs appeared on TV's Judy Compton Daytime Show. At the end of the school year, Bobby left the group to further his education at the U of D whereas Bill moved from home to spend more time with the band and took over on bass. That summer The Pharaohs took on a heavy schedule, playing six or seven nights a week at bars, clubs, and dances within a fifty mile radius. But their hearse and trailer also took them as far away as Hollywood where they appeared on the nationally syndicated Pat Boone Show. When school started again the schedule had to go back to weekends to allow for study as Fred was still at Christiana High School and Aubrey and Ed were enrolled at Thompson's Business School . Tragedy struck when Aubrey's brother Jeff, who was being considered as a member, was killed in a car crash. In the Spring of '67, they recorded their second single, Chuck Berry's "Talking About You" c/w Raiders cover "Sometimes", complete with picture sleeve. Ed was sick and in no condition to sing but the session proceeded and is etched in time on the 45. The following winter, a third single, "Hold Me Tight" c/w "Sometimes I Think About", a Blues Magoos cover, was recorded at Cameo Parkway Recording Studio. But friction between key arranger/songwriter, Aubrey Fisher, and Lee Stevenson over royalty agreements had become irreconcilable and two weeks before the group was to appear on Philadelphia's after school TV dance show, The Jerry Blavatt Show in promotion of their new single, Aubrey left the group. With only a few days to prepare, Gene Quaciari, formerly of New Castle's "The Lynx", assumed the lead guitar spot.