The Outsiders featuring Darren Dowler

The year was 1965. In Cleveland, Ohio, a successful area rhythm and blues band called Tom King and The Starfires pooled their meager resources to record an original song composed by Tom King and his brother-in-law Chet Kelly. “Time Won’t Let Me” was submitted to regional Capitol Records promotional people. With the record company behind them, Tom King and the Starfires were renamed The Outsiders, and “Time Won’t Let Me” began to receive AM radio station airplay across the U.S. Gathering airplay and live performance momentum, The Outsiders, fronted by a young lead singer named Sonny Geraci, began making their reputation in pop music history. “Time Won’t Let Me” climbed to #5 on the Billboard record industry national charts. The Group’s popularity led to television appearances on entertainment shows like Dick Clark’s Where The Action Is, Hullabaloo, Shindig, and local teen shows across the United States. Subsequent Outsiders releases also received radio airplay success on the National Charts. Their second single, “Girl In Love,” reached #11. “Respectable” reached #15, and “Help Me Girl” reached #21. Members changed in the original Outsiders lineup, and like so many groups of the era, the band slowly faded into Top 40 music history. That is…until now! The Outsiders, now fronted by original drummer Ricky Biagiola (Baker), and accompanied by some of Cleveland’s best musicians. Members include keyboardist Rik Storm, bassist Rob Mitchell, and guitarist Jimmy Aschenbener.

Singer-Songwriter Bill March’s thoughtful and introspective songwriting, combined with his melodic and soulful pop/rock musical style reflects his early influencers from Paul McCartney to Brian Wilson. Using the Internet to his advantage, Bill’s original songs have gained airplay and exposure on sites like Spotify, Apple Music, Facebook, SoundCloud, and Reverbnation.

With roots in Cleveland, Ohio, Bill March began playing music at the early age. Inspired by Paul McCartney, he trained as a bass player, honed his vocal skills and subsequently became a working musician. As student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston for a year, he studied music theory and learned to visualize music. After a brief stretch with a band in California, Bill returned to Cleveland and became skilled in guitar and piano as part of his songwriting journey.

While back in Cleveland and well-known for his bass playing prowess, Bill played with established recording acts and singer-ongwriters, during which he still focused on his own music. In the ‘80’s, he became one of the founding members Amherst Records recording artists, Beau Coup. With a record contract in hand and songs getting heavy airplay on Cleveland and regional radio, it was an exciting time.

In the early ‘90’s, Bill played with several bands in New York for three years and moved back to Cleveland, working as a freelance musician, solo performer, and supporting other local musicians satisfying his craving for music.

More recently, Bill wanted to dig back into not only live performances, but also writing and recording more of his music. He continues to play bass with bands including Wally Bryson (Raspberries and Fotomaker), as well as Jonah Koslen (Michael Stanley Band and Breathless) who he has worked with for more than 25 years.

Bill’s strong commitment to music continues today as he records his original songs and covers that have received airplay on radio stations/streaming platforms. In addition, he is recording originals from other musicians. His first EP, entitled Songs From a Lifetime was released in 2018 and his second EP, Home Remedies, was released at an event held at The Music Box on July 15, 2021.