the Convention

Cleveland, 1968

Ray Saporita was the lead singer for this Cleveland band, which started after the US Male, Ray's previous band, disbanded. The band included Ray on lead vocals, Ray Cifnai on organ, Gary Lesher on bass, and John Casale (formerly of the Motions) on drums. 

Right out of the gate they recorded a 45 for Buddah. The record was recorded at Cleveland Recording under the pioduction guidance of Eric Stevens/Brilliant Sun. The A side was a remake of "Hey There, Little Miss Mary" written by the famous British songwriting team of Greenaway and Cook and first recorded by Whistling Jack Smith. The flip side was wittern by Ray. 

The band played a few local gigs, but were mainly known for being the house band on the Lou "King" Kirby TV show, which ran from September to December 1968. The Convention ended about the same time.

Gary Lesher was later in Pig Iron, Scratch, and Frenz. Before the Convention he was in the Outcasts.

Discography:
Hey There, Little Miss Mary / The Story Of Our Love - Buddah 53, July 1968

Thanks to Gary Lesher