Mary Beth Cronin - Lead Vocals and Percussion
Mary Beth was originally inspired to perform from watching 'The Partridge Family" TV show. Her singing career started at the Cherry Avenue Elementary School in Sayville, N.Y., where as a fifth grader, she sang music from "Godspell" in the school chorus. Her natural love of music led her to dabble in playing violin, tympani, keyboards, and guitar in her search for self-expression, but the stage was where she would find her niche.
By the time she was in high school, Mary Beth was studying acting with Lillian Pape. She also played multiple parts as a nurse, a reporter, and a screaming teenage fan in a school production of "Bye-Bye Birdie". After graduation in 1979, she continued her acting with the Ivy Lane Repertory Group in a production of "Strange Bedfellows".
In 1982 she met a band called The Insane Element, while at a friend’s party. She asked if she could audition for them as a singer. She auditioned and joined her first band, playing clubs in New York City and Long Island, and gaining her first recording experience until the group disbanded a year later.
By 1986 she had formed, managed and was the Lead Vocalist for Grand Passion, performing original music of which she co-wrote several songs with their lead guitarist, Reg Monsanto. The group began recording and performing at clubs including: CBGB's, My Father's Place, The Limelight, Kenny's Castaways, and a series of public TV appearances including several appearances on the Joe Franklin show. Mary Beth also appeared at IMAC (Huntington, NY) in a Sam Ash sponsored tribute to Elvis Presley.
In 2000, Mary Beth renamed the band Talk of the Town and started performing a tribute to The Pretenders. By 2007, with the addition of a keyboardist, the band incorporated a tribute to The Cars. In 2011, the band's name changed to Drive The Cars Tribute, and became The East Coast's Premiere tribute to The Cars, in addition to performing a tribute to The 80's.
Mary Beth has performed and recorded with various artists, including: Felix Hanemann (ZEBRA), Billy Pascali (Vanilla Fudge/New Rascals), Mike Score (Flock of Seagulls), Martin Chambers (The Pretenders), Liberty Devitto (Billy Joel and Big People).
Pat “Batman" Ruhlman-Bass Guitar & Vocals
Pat, a seasoned bass virtuoso and dynamic singer, has left an indelible mark on the New York music scene.
His musical odyssey has taken him on a thrilling ride, covering extensive ground as he showcased his exceptional talents in gigs across the globe, with a diverse range of acts.
From the vibrant streets of New York to the lively stages of venues in NJ, CT, PA and Greece, Pat's bass grooves and melodic vocals have resonated with audiences far and wide.
No stranger to the electrifying pulse of the Long Island music scene, Pat has recently graced the stage alongside several popular bands, adding his signature style to the sonic tapestry of the region.
Additionally, as a prolific multi-instrumentalist/ singer-songwriter, he has released 3 albums of original music. Pat brings an exhilarating musical experience to the stage, honoring Benjamin Orr, with DRIVE.
Bob Gallo - Lead Guitar
Bob Gallo is a veteran New York studio guitarist and composer. His playing and writing can be heard on numerous television shows from the 90’s to the present. Some of the highlights are "The Cosby Show,” "It's A Different World,” “Living Single,” “Little Bill.” Bob was the guitarist who accompanied Aretha Franklin on the theme song of "It's A Different World.” An active studio musician, Gallo has played various theme sessions with Al Green, Gladys Knight and Grover Washington, Jr. Currently, Bob is contributing music to the Netflix series “Emily In Paris” and “Rust Valley Restorers.” He has contributed music to other televisions series such as “Love and Hip Hop,” “Siesta Key,” “MTV Road Rules,” “Pawn Stars” and “Housewives of Atlanta,” among others. As a session guitarist, credits include singer Denise Williams’ Grammy Award-winning Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album "This Is My Song".
Bob Gallo has played alongside a wide range of artists, including Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Bob Malach, Gerald Albright, Grover Washington, Jr., John Lewis, Clark Terry, Dave Valentin, Jon Faddis, Eric Gale, Wah Wah Watson, Rodney Jones, Will Lee and Clarence Clemons.
Rick Chiarello-Keyboards
Rick is the youngest of three siblings and grew up surrounded by the sounds of classic rock, with early influences including The Doors, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and the innovative new-wave rock of The Cars. He began taking piano lessons at the age of nine, but his passion for music truly ignited in his early teens when he got his first synthesizer.
As Rick explored synthesizers and keyboard-driven music, he became especially inspired by the work of The Cars’ keyboardist Greg Hawkes. Hawkes’ distinctive synth sounds and unforgettable melodic hooks had a lasting impact on Rick’s playing style.
Throughout the mid-1990s to today, Rick has performed with several cover and other tribute bands across the tri-state area, gaining valuable live performance experience while sharpening his keyboard and synth skills. He also played with several original local hard rock bands, continuing to develop his sound and stage presence.
Today, Rick still performs in several tribute acts, bringing his love of classic and alternative rock to audiences by covering the music of Pink Floyd, Ozzy Osbourne, No Doubt and of course the music of The Cars!
Jay, the rhythmic force hailing from New York, is not just a drummer; he’s a powerhouse of vocals, a dynamic performer who has left an indelible mark on the stages across the vibrant tri-state area.
Venture into the electric nightlife, and you'll find Jay's beats resonating through legendary clubs, defining the heartbeat of New York and Long Island's rock and blues scenes. As both a seasoned drummer and a versatile lead/backup vocalist, Jay has shared his musical prowess with numerous bands, adding his signature touch to genres spanning Blues, Reggae, Rock, Heavy Metal, Jazz, Latin, Funk, and Soul.
In the annals of 1973, Jay made his mark with "Spontaneous Combustion," stepping into the shoes of drummer Tony Brock, who later rocked the stages with John Waite (The Babys), Rod Stewart, and Elton John. Jay's journey includes sharing the spotlight with soon-to-be legends Cyndi Lauper and Billy Idol before they skyrocketed to fame. From 1983 to 2007, Jay was the go-to fill-in drummer for Johnnie Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge, gracing their performances with his rhythmic finesse.
But the saga doesn't end there – since 2006, Jay has been an integral part of the sonic phenomenon that is Drive The Cars Tribute. Witness the fusion of his rhythmic mastery and vocal prowess as he continues to captivate audiences with the timeless tunes of "The Cars." Brace yourself for a musical journey that transcends time, led by the unstoppable force that is Jay – the heartbeat of New York's rock and roll legacy.