James Montgomery Band To Perform At Marblehead Veteran's Benefit

Local Marblehead band, Wilmot Redd, featuring Fia James and Gus Percy, will be appearing with legendary New England Blues artist James Montgomery and his band at the Gerry 5 VFA Hall on Sat April 8, in a repeat of last year's very successful show.

This year's show, as last year's was, is a benefit event to support local Veterans. Last year Rockin' 4 Vets, the organization that produces these shows, was able to donate $3,000.00 to the Town of Marblehead Veterans; but this year's goal is to do as well, if not better.

Montgomery came to Boston from Michigan, to attend Boston University, in 60's and never left. At that time Boston was a hotbed for the emerging rock music market, competing with San Francisco for domination of the music scene. San Francisco won, but from it came some of the top bands in the region; some impactful but barely remembered such as Beacon Street Union, Ultimate Spinach, Orpheus, and the Remains. Others where to follow shortly, and they would help put Boston on the map as a major music market. Bands such as J. Geils, James Taylor, Aerosmith, Boston and the Cars were all in the development stages.

In this mix was the upstart Montgomery and his self-named band, The James Montgomery Band.

James himself, spent several years as a featured member of Johnny Winter's band. As well, sitting in with James Cotton and the Allman Brothers Band. The James Montgomery Band has also been the launching pad for some very notable Boston performers such as American Idol's Ayla Brown and Jazz phenom Grace Kelly. Members of his band have gone on to play with Rod Stewart, Billy Joel and John Fogerty to name a few while others have left bands such as Joe Cocker, J. Geils, Hall & Oates, MC5 and Billy Squier and worked with James.

On the other hand, Wilmott Redd, is a group born, bred and nurtured in Marblehead. The band consists of members who forged friendships while students at Marblehead High School and continued on.

They got their start as a band when singer Fia James, and guitarists Gus Percy and Max Mellor came together in a garage behind the Three Cod Tavern. Over the years, others have passed through the band, before arriving at their present day line-up.

In April 2021, the band released their first EP “Washington Street.”

Tickets available on-line or at the Three Cod Tavern or Gerry # 5 VFA, in advance. Also, available at the door the evening of the show.