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).
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.
Kevin Richards - Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar
Kevin has been traveling and performing as a professional musician since 1989 playing to over 100,000 people in countries like Japan, China, South Korea, Germany, Sweden, and the UK with his early 1990s original band “Eleventh Hour”. The band eventually released a 7 song album on Teichuku Records in Japan and South Korea, touring on that record in 1996 to over 80,000 people in 3 months. Throughout the 1990s and 2000's Kevin played and recorded with various bands in Southern California, eventually settling back in New York in 2001.
When Kevin isn't performing with Drive The Cars Tribute, he can be seen fronting his own 60's tribute “SHOUT!” and in a theater production called “One and Done” which performs one-hit wonders from the ‘60s, ’70s and '80s. You might also catch him sitting in with various bands on vocals, guitar or bass throughout the NY/NJ area.
As well as being a dynamic performer, Kevin is also a world renowned voice coach to Grammy Award winners like Bette Midler and Sir Rod Stewart and Rock 'n Roll Inductee Paul Stanley of KISS. His current roster of students including major recording artists, touring musicians and songwriters all over the world.
Kevin started lending his stellar vocal talents to Drive The Cars Tribute in the Summer of 2023. Look for Kevin at a venue near you.
“My philosophy is to have a good time, all the time. That's my philosophy Marty” - Viv Savage of Spinal Tap
Steve Ferraro- Keyboards & Vocals
Steve Ferraro started learning how to play keyboards when he was four years old and continued throughout his childhood. At 16, he began performing professionally as a keyboardist with the fifties band "THE CHAPERONES" and later joined the Portuguese band "Flamango" singing back vocals and playing keyboards.
Steve is no stranger to the synth pop scene. In 2005, with Steve Ferraro on vocals and John Sepulveda on synths, their venture In-A-Sense released the Electropop Album “Seclusion”. Steve Ferraro writes and produces IN-A-SENSE's music. Their album is available streaming on Apple Music.
In 2018 he returned to the Long Island music scene as the lead keyboardist, backing vocalist, and backing track producer for WLIR Tribute band “Screamer of the Week.”
In 2023 Steve started “ NuWave Radio” which is a tribute to all of the 80s New Wave .
In 2024 Steve will also be performing with “Drive” The Cars Tribute band in which he is looking forward to because he was inspired to play keyboards like Greg Hawkes of The Cars at an early age.
Frank Cee - Bass Guitar and Vocals
Frank, a seasoned bass virtuoso and dynamic singer, has left an indelible mark on the New York music scene. With roots deeply embedded in rock 'n' roll, he kicked off his musical journey as the bassist for a Top-40 band back in the '80s.
His musical odyssey has taken him on a thrilling ride, covering extensive ground as he showcased his exceptional talents in gigs across the country with a diverse range of acts. From the vibrant streets of New York to the lively stages of venues nationwide, Frank's bass grooves and soulful vocals have resonated with audiences far and wide.
No stranger to the electrifying pulse of the Long Island music scene, Frank has recently graced the stage alongside several popular bands, adding his signature style to the sonic tapestry of the region.
Now, the stage is set for an exhilarating musical experience as Frank takes center stage with DRIVE. Catch the magic, feel the energy, and let the rhythm of Frank's music take you on a journey through the heart of rock 'n' roll.
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.