JOE SALEM
KEYBOARDS AND VOCALS
Joe Salem AKA "THE SILVER FOX first joined Yearbook in 1993. He plays keyboards for the band, sings both backup and lead vocals, and manages the band. He is responsible for booking, promotion, and marketing YEARBOOK. In addition to his role in the band, Joe is happily married to MaryAnn , He is a pharmacist /and the proud father of five children as well as step father to four children. He is also proud to have a group of beautiful grandchildren beginning with Jasmine Rose, Madison Rose, Isabela Rose, Logan James, Logan Michael, and Mia Josephine. His music career began in his childhood and he has been in five bands over the course of the last thirty years. He was one of the founding members of the band Timeless which was a Cleveland classic rock and original band in the area for five years before Yearbook. Other area bands included Electric Earth, The Blues Wall, The WIXY 1260's, Brothers at Odds, and The Time Machine. Hobbies include cars, music, of course, and riding his bicycle. Joe is also interested in electronics, computers, science fiction, and he loves a good joke.
Joe has been the backbone of YEARBOOK for over nineteen years and is the only original member to have survived the transitions that a band goes through. YEARBOOK was founded by Gary Lennox and Joe was the last member to join the original line-up which consisted of: Gary Lennox, Tom Muntean, Jim Sucy, and of course Joe . He will be the one you talk to for the booking info for the band.
If you were to ask him how this group has changed over the years he would tell you that it has evolved into a family. Not only are these guys members of a rock band, they have become the best of friends. This encompasses the newest member as well as Dick has quickly become part of the FAMILY. Ask Joe anytime and he will tell you that he is truly proud to be involved with this group. He enjoys a good joke or just hearing from you. Feel free to send him e-mail..
Todd Samaritani on Guitars and vocals
Todd Anthony - Musical artist, primarily a Guitarist. Grew up in Motor City (Detroit area) playing in the local rock scene in the '80s, 90s, and 2k. Played local gigs, festivals, and battle of the bands. Won a few of them.
Played and recorded with a group called Assassin, and other Detroit local cover bands.
Style is basically Guitar Rock and blues. You know those long 12-minute guitar solos like Stranglehold and Too Rollin Stoned. Inspired by so many of the greatest Guitarists. Enjoy writing and recording music and will do session work.
A former student of Blues guitar great, Robbie Noll. Check him out !! He is great and he played in Albert Collins and along with other blues greats.
Currently, lives in Ohio and played in the band Renagade. A Great Southern Rock tribute act and part of the three guitar slinger attack.
ROB JOHNSTON
DRUMS AND LEAD VOCALS
Rob Johnston plays the drums for Yearbook and joined the band in 1998. The band's surge and the addition of Rob are not coincidences. In addition to shoring up the rhythm section, he adds great vocals to the harmonies. Hence, vocals have become a cornerstone of Yearbook's sound. Rob started playing drums in high school and has been in ten different bands since. In addition to Yearbook, Rob also drums for The Palindromes, a staple on the Cleveland alternative music scene. Look for their release on Twee Kitten Records at local record shops. When he is not drumming, he works for The Cuyahoga County Public Library System. He enjoys not only playing music but listening as well. Books and movies are also big interests for Rob. His hobbies include hiking, collecting records, and writing songs. Feel free to drop him an e-mail. |
Another note of interest. Many people have e-mailed "YEARBOOK" to congratulate Rob on his vocal skills especially in the areas of his favorites "THE BEATLES". Rob's steady beat and strong vocals have kept our growth on a steady rise. His talents move beyond the drums as he is proficient on acoustic guitar as well. His musical interests cover a wide variety of groups and styles including the BEATLES, The STONES, PINK FLOYD, and ELVIS COSTELLO, just to name a few. His vocal ability encompasses all of these fine groups. We are all proud to have him as a member of our group. |
Jodie Weckbacher
Lead Vocals
Jodie comes to YEARBOOK from a wide array of music and groups. Most recently the band Limited Edition and The Docs that Rock. Her singing style compliments such artists as Heart, Aretha Franklin, Pat Benatar, Linda Ronstadt, Abba, The Pretenders, Blondie, and a host of others. She adds a wide variety of dance material from the 60's to the 80's and will help make YEARBOOK the band to see and enjoy.
Keith Parker -Bass and Vocals
Keith Parker has been singing and playing guitar since he was 13.
He was a member of Yearbook in the mid 90's returning as their rhythm guitarist/vocalist in 2023 & 2024.
For the 2025 season he's looking forward to playing bass guitar and adding some lead and backing vocals to the diverse selection of songs that the band covers.
Joe Salem Keyboards & vocals
Rob Johnston Drums & Vocals
Jodie Welbacher Vocals
Todd Samaritani
Guitars and vocals
Keith Parker
Bass and Vocals
The first Yearbook lineup to play out frequently was completed in1994 when Joeanswered an ad in the Scene Magazine. The original lineup featured Gary Lennox on lead guitar, Tom Muntean on drums, Joe Salem on keyboards and Jim Suchy played bass guitar and some acoustic. All members contributed to the vocal harmonies as well. When Gary left on an extended break, he was replaced by Keith Parker. Jim left in 1998 and went on to form a band named Sunset Highway. He was replaced by Kyp Schubert. With Kyp's addition, attention was turned to the vocal side of the band and they were greatly improved. This moved Yearbook to a newer, higher plateau and opened the door for more new and exciting musical arrangements .Then Tom departed and Rob Johnston replaced him. It looked like the final move came when Keith left to join Jim in Sunset Highway and Gary rejoined the group, however, In September of 1999, Kyp had an accident and broke his leg which had put him on the temporary Disabled List until December.
In Kyp's absence, his son Lon, Bassist Al Adkins from the Cleveland Beat, and Bassist Kim Sullivan from Roll Ya Over all stepped in durring his Recovery. These three fine muscians helped to keep Yearbook on track. Each one of the three pushed to keep "the drive alive" and to help it grow. Kyp Returned to the band on December 4th at a performance at Alexander's Restaurante which had temporarily re-united this power lineup making Yearbook one of the most entertaining and fun bands in the area today. In January 2000, Kyp decided to leave Yearbook to persue his own project called Johnny Lightning and the Hotwheels; a 50's group. Once again the lineup of Yearbook changed with the addition of Kim Sullivan former bass player of Roll Ya Over. She is no stranger to this group as she is one of those responsible for keeping Yearbook going and growing in Kyp's absence.
Bill Uhler now enters the picture as the new bass/vocal in the band. He enters and adds yet another strong driving piece to the picture. Bill's background makes him the best choice to keep the yearbook machine moving.
The saga continues even further as 12/31/2006 Gary Lennox announced that he is leaving the band. his position has been filled by Dave as the new regular member. Dave broke out with us as the regular on 1/5/2007 at "THE DOCS BAR AND GRILLE" in Broadview Heights.
January 1, 2013, with the return of Gary Lennox to the family. Bobby Z has moved on to pursue other areas in music and become more active in the church. He remains in all of our hearts. Don't be surprised to see him fill in now and then if need be. Then in June 2014, Thomas Javorsky (TJ) joined us as Gary Lennox leaves the band.
In March of 2020, TJ leaves and is
replaced by current guitarist Joe Paulsey. Rob Johnston also left the band in March of 2020 for a hiatus and was replaced by current drummer /singer Dave Kammerman. The YEARBOOK saga has been a long and interesting one but we have survived all of these years and put out a better product with each change.
In October of 2022, YEARBOOK Revival was born with the return of Rob Johnston, Keith Parker, Joe Salem, Bill Uhler, and the addition of Todd Samaritani moving back to the earlier musical format including, ELO, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Joe Walsh, The Moody Blues, Alan Parsons Project, and many others. So once again, the YEARBOOK saga continues and is once again complete.
So Now the lineup is complete once again and will take on a new tone and style as we grow in our quest to be one of Cleveland's most fun, entertaining , and energetic Oldies/Classic Rock/Dance Rock groups ever.