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The story you are about to read is true. No names have been changed to protect the innocent. I was born and raised in Delta, Oh., I am the 3rd child of Paul and Thelma Todd, I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters. I graduated from Delta High School in 1970 and attended Bowling Green State University for 1-1/2 semesters before deciding to concentrate on music. I taught myself to play guitar and learned to sing harmony with Bev Gerdes and Doug Manley. I worked at Pike - Delta - York Public Schools for four years as a Custodial Engineer (Janitor) when I got a call from Doug Manley, telling me about a new group that was forming called “Myron & The Van-Dells” and asking me to be a part of it”! After talking with my family and friends, I decided to give it a try. I was allowed a 2 month leave of absence and “hit the road” for Jacksonville, FL. That was on March 15th, 1974. Doug and I learned songs and vocal parts on the drive to Jacksonville. In our excitement to get there, we drove straight through. When we got there, I had to learn all the choreography and then go get all my show clothes. On Monday, March 18, 1974, I cut my shoulder length hair, greased it back with Crew Comb (Crisco-like texture) and became a “Van-Dell”. I started my new career at “The Other Place”. My first solo was “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” My stage name came after I started to sing “The Duke Of Earl”, hence “Duke”.  I had been with the group for several weeks, still learning the show,
when someone bought me a hat to wear during the show. I wore my new hat
one night and started hitting one of the guys to get him to stop clowning
around and the crowd loved it. Since I was the shortest member of the group
at the time, that added to the humor and my character was born. I became
the Sergeant-of-Arms and had to keep the show running smoothly. Since I
don’t smile on stage, do eye choreography and wear a hat, my character
seems to stand out. As the personnel changed, my character changed also.
Now I am still trying to keep the show running smoothly but, I am also the
brunt of Mark’s humorless jokes.In February of 1976, Myron and some of the band members decided to go in a different direction. That is when “The Van-Dells” were born. We now had four vocals , Doug Manley “Spider”, Stacy Todd “Duke”, Steve Ricks “Moose” and Dave Brumley “Chumley. We were backed up by a 7 piece band that was also a big part of the show. I married Saundra Platt in July of 1976 and have been married for 27 years. We have 2 boys, Kasey (16) and Kyle (11). Both of them enjoy entertaining as well. Both boys have appeared on stage with us and help to close the show. Kasey plays percussion with us for our "History of Rock & Roll" show and Kyle is with a singing and dancing troupe called The Showbiz Kidz. When we are off, I enjoy cooking and baking. I love to go fishing. When I can find the time I also like to play the guitar and I have written several songs. The Van-Dells are the only group I have been with and I plan on doing this for as long as our fans will let us. Thanks for the ride. |
