The Sons Of Liberty was a rock and roll band from the late sixities and seveties. Their favorite group was the Beatles. The Sons of Liberty were based in Wellsburg, WV but played throughout the tri-state area.

Original core band members inluded Frank DeFede (lead vocals and guitar), Dave Buhl (lead vocals and guitar), Glenn Reasner (lead vocals and base), John Rasz (keyboards). There were three different drumes but the last drummer and drummer on the Gateway recording was Gregg Gorby (drums).

Jim Brandolino (lead vocals and drums) stayed with The 8th Day and was replaced by Gregg Gorby. The group released a 45 rpm record with the song "Love Babe" on the first side and "There's A Little Girl" on the flip side. The record became a top hit in the Ohio Valley from Huntington, WV to Pittsburgh, PA. It made it number one on several music surveys.

When the group formed Dave Buhl (below to left) was a student at West Liberty State College and was from Pittsburgh, PA. He eventually married and moved back to Pittsburgh, where he became an insurance agent and eventual a group manager. After selling his insurance business to his son Dave and two other started a Sports Shop that sell Pittsburgh Steeler and Pirate memorabelia. He also sells on E-Bay.

Glenn Reasner (above to the right) was a student in Wellsburg High School. Since the band disbanded he moved to Pittsburgh and continued playing music in numerous bands. He works as a carpenter.

Frank DeFede (above to the left), the leader of the band, attended West Liberty where he meet Dave Buhl and other band members. Glenn Reasner and Greg Gorby were both from Wellsburg. Frank later worked at Sears but later started his own business called Technimedia Studios and is still president of the Jewett, OH company.

John Rasz (to the right), another Wellsburg native, attended West Virginia University and then joined the Sons of Liberty. He managed maintainance at Three Springs Golf Course in Wellsburg and also pastored a church in Wellsburg. Later he became assistant pastor of the Vineyard Church in Wheeling and is presently the senior paster. John has also been a worship leader at the Vineyard Church. John plays keyboards, drums and guitar.

Greg Gorby (left) the third and final drummer worked at Weirton Steel and still lives in Wellsburg, WV.

Jim Brandalino (2nd drummer not pictured) from Weirton graduated from West Liberty with a B.A. and then earned a Masters Degree from West Virginia University. He has taught Social Studies and Speech courses in several Hancock County Schools. Currently Jim teaches West Virginia History at Oak Glen Middle School. He also co-produces a closed-circuit TV show daily.

Jim meet Frank and Dave while all where students at West Liberty State College. Eventually the Sons Of Liberty merged with two female members of another band and for a time were called The Eighth Day. They had a recording contract with Kapp Records in New York and spent a lot of time in New York City.

The 45 rpm that was released had the picture of the original group. See picture to right. Members included Jim Brandalino, Nancy Petit, Dave Buhl, Glenn Reasner, John Rasz, Frank DeFede and Melanie Ross. The cover of the 45 was of the original group (Sons of Liberty) but the song was actually done by the replacement group (Opus 4). The album had the picture of the replacement group but six of the ten songs were by the original group. Three people, Jim Brandalino, Nany Petit and Melanie Ross were in both groups. Click on the cover to listen to the albumn.

In summarry the original group split when the albumn was about 2/3 completed. A group called "The Opus 4" from Steubenville, OH took their place. Frank, John, Glenn and Dave reformed the "Sons of Liberty" and released a single 45 rpm on Gateway Records with the song "Love Babe" The "Eighth Day" forty five and albumn were eventually released but were unsuccessful. Members of the Opus 4 eventually formed a band called "Wild Cherry" and became a famous one hit wonder with the song "Play That Funky Music".

The core of the Sons of Liberty group got together twice in the 90's for the 4th of July celebrations at Wellsburg, WV and once for a picnic at the Wheeling Vineyard Church.

Some of the members will be appearing at the John Rasz Rock and Roll Night to be held on March 25, 2008 at the Vineyard Cafe which is located at the Vineyard Church, 135 Waddles Run Road, Wheeling, WV.

All photos were taken on New Years even at Tom's Lounge in Wheeling, WV in 1967 by John Fluharty.