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THIS PAGE IS UNDER ONGOING CONSTRUCTION!!
It all started in the early 60's. The three guitars(brothers Mark & Terry and long time friend Denny) formed the original group at ages 14 & 17, playing "Ventures" instrumental songs. Then later we began experimenting with vocal arrangements using two and three part harmonies. Mark and Denny still carry on the tradition and actively perform in GRAFFITI and Terry occasionally as a fill in. You can see us in our photo gallery in current pictures. 
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Here we are (above) at home, in our rehearsal room in Chicago and (right) at St. Hilary's School hall for a sock hop in Chicago.
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In the late 60's we expanded to 5 pc. group, known then as "the Contenders", teaming with Bob, a lead vocalist and keyboardist(far right) and brought in a replacement guitar, a friend, Elmer(far left) while our lead guitar player, Denny, served in Pakistan during the Viet Nam war. We went with quite a few drummers to this point, but Bob Weiss(second from right,top) stuck & played with GRAFFITI til 1999 & still subs with the group occasionally. |
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This formation (left) of GRAFFITI, performed together for the next 35 yrs!!, Playing for parties, weddings, banquets, country club festivities, New Years Eve parties and other types of formal events.
During the late 80's & early 90's, non-talented amature DJ's infiltrated the market and nearly "did in" live music replacing it with cheap CD spinning. And that almost spelled the end of the bands, including our GRAFFITI. We gradually disbanded and by 1999 we were down to just two original guitars.
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After the wedding and banquet scene dried up. We got a bunch of old musician buddies together and decided to have fun playing oldies at our friends car shows and oldies events. We started out here at DanDee's Marathon in Palatine IL.(right) Then at a friends car theme restaurant CRUISIN' in Gilberts, Illinois.(below)
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Car shows began popping up all over the place, and that's where the whole thing started. We now play for car shows, oldies events,and various other parties from Davenport IA. to Crown Point IN. and from Oak Creek WI. to Sycamore IL. |
Here we are, the current collective members of the Graffiti Unlimited Band pictured with legendary, 94.7 FM. Rock & Roll radio personality, Dick Biondi. |
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<= <= <= DENNY BILOTTA
Original founding member plays lead & rhythm guitar, sings lead & backup vocals.
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MARK MERTENS => => =>
Original founding member plays rhythm & lead guitar, sings lead & back up vocals.
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<= <= <= JIM SCHROEDER
Started as a fill in. Now, main percussionist maintaining the tempo for GRAFFITI since 1999. |
JOHN INGRAM => => =>
Wailin' on the sax with GRAFFITI since 2006. |
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<= <= <= JOE RICHARDS
Plays bass, sings lead & backup vocals. |
RON MEYERS => => =>
Playin' the keys and fills in backup vocals. |
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