Biography

In the late Sixties Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, was a crucible of musical talent, and may be most remembered for its impact on R&B with "The Philly Sound." But from 1969 to 1971 it was also home to a rock band so loaded with talent that its members and its management went on to help shape the American music scene in the 70’s and 80’s and beyond.

For a time Wax was the hottest band in Philly, performing a unique blend of art rock, blues, and jazz, that was complex and intelligent yet driving and catchy. Combining rhythmic and instrumental intensity with multi-layered vocal arrangements and original songwriting, Wax made their mark quickly. The band opened for The Byrds, Chicago, John Mayall, The Everly Brothers, and Manfred Mann, as well as headlining concerts and festivals all over the region.

In late 1970, the group was signed by legendary producer Bob Crewe (The Four Seasons/Jersey Boys, Mitch Ryder, and Lesley Gore) and his label CGC (distributed by Atlantic). The band started to make an album at New York City’s famed Record Plant but the record was never finished due to financial difficulties at the label. The disappointment eventually caused the group to disband, but all remained friends and went on to pursue many other musical projects.

Shortly before the unanticipated break-up, Wax managers John Kalodner and Bill Sisca arranged a two hour live studio recording session in New York to tape the best of the band's considerable repertoire. In a burst of creative brilliance fueled by passion and unstoppable enthusiasm, a noteworthy album was recorded live from beginning to end, with neither overdubs nor post-production mixing. For nearly forty years the tape sat in Kalodner’s personal collection, and was recently rediscovered and restored. The musicianship, singing, and unique creative sound of Wax, at their “live” finest, may finally be heard on their long-overdue debut.

ROLLING STONES' DAVID FRICKE's 2010 pick
"Wax were from my hometown, Philadelphia, and they were everywhere between 1969-71, in the clubs, opening shows for John Mayall, the Byrds and Chicago....Melted is a set of songs WAX taped live in the studio,...it is vintage early 70s ambition: progressive songwriting with snappy instrumental digressions, just enough pop gloss and that inevitable Philly-R&B tang. Now I know what I missed-and I wish I'd been there." DAVID FRICKE-ROLLING STONE MAG.

Here then is “Melted”…!



ROB HYMAN..keys..went on to form THE HOOTERS, and co
wrote TIME AFTER TIME.
RICK CHERTOFF..drums..became a 5 time grammy nominated producer (Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, etc)
RICK LEVY..guitar..went on to manage and/or lead bands for Hermans Hermits, Tommy Roe, Bo Diddley, Jay & Techniques, Freddy Cannon and others.
DAVID KAGAN..recorded w Baby Grand, and then pursued a highly successful career in magazine advertising and publishing.
BEAU JONES..played bass for various oldies groups, and was retired when he developed brain cancer.

WAX performing NEARER TO GOD
LIVE at BEAUFEST Oct 29, 2010
The memorial for original WAX bassist
BEAU JONES, who died Sept 3, 2010.
WAX..melted CD is dedicated to him.
First time performing together since 1971!

WAX..montage of still photos
>From 1969-70
The original WAX from Philadelphia PA
Song: Things She Likes to Do
WAX..melted CD

WAX..ending of IT DON'T MATTER AT ALL
At BEAUFEST..memorial for BEAU JONES, original WAX bassist who died Sept 3,
2010 of brain cancer

At end..the great JAY PROCTOR (JAY & THE TECHNIQUES) Joins for STAND BY ME!!