Mel Wynn & The Rhythm Aces

Inducted Members: Ron Ashton, Rich Bachman, Ned Endler, John Gainard, Rich Garinger, Frank Loch, Ted Maus, Bob O’Connell, Dave Pearn, Jerry Sechleer, Larry Sechleer, Angelo Stella, Tommy Wynder, Mel Wynn

Mel Wynn & the Rhythm Aces were possibly the most influential band on the local music scene in the 1960s, playing shows lined with high-quality musicianship and explosive performances. Beyond the music, the group did their part to break down social barriers and, in doing so, they made Luzerne County a more culturally diverse and open place to be.

The band’s story traces back to the 1950s, when a doo-wop group called the Shalomars clashed with the rock and roll of the Rhythm Aces. These bands were respectively popular in their day, but neither had truly reached their apex. In 1958, the Shalomars and Rhythm Aces combined their talents, taking the latter’s name. It was Rhythm Ace Jerry Sechleer who had the foresight to introduce a new voice to the Rhythm Aces’ musical equation.

Enter Mel Wynn of the Shalomars, whose contributions took the Rhythm Aces to new heights with his charming vocals and electric showmanship. With Wynn on board, the group’s heart and soul had been established, and they introduced a distinct rhythm and blues sound to an area dominated by the sounds of rock and roll and country. Though the Rhythm Aces were more than proficient in those familiar genres as well, their rhythm and blues influence did make them stand out for a local band in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

After starting off as a literal house band performing in people's homes, Mel Wynn & the Rhythm Aces became a sought-after regional act. They performed at local hotspots like The Flame and The Spinning Wheel, as well as large-scale venues like Pocono Downs, becoming an audience favorite in just about every context.

The story of Mel Wynn & the Rhythm Aces cannot be told without mentioning their impact beyond the music. As an integrated band, they broke down racial barriers during a time when school dances in the region were segregated. This was a reflection of the larger Civil Rights Movement that swept across the country during the 1960s. Mel Wynn & the Rhythm Aces were a local example of the larger national emphasis on racial equality.

Mel Wynn & the Rhythm Aces’ special place in the area’s music scene was aided by the fact that the group’s ranks included some of the area’s most respected musicians. They were considered true gentlemen of the music scene, and they earned the respect and admiration of their local contemporaries.

Beyond their local impact, Mel Wynn & the Rhythm Aces were also one of the first acts from Luzerne County to gain traction through their recorded music. Tracks like "Stop Sign" and "Don't Want To Lose You" capture some of the energy of their live performances, but they also ensure that the Rhythm Aces sound is preserved on wax.

This preservation paid off in a big way when, in 2003, British vocalist and rapper Abs heavily sampled, and practically covered, “Stop Sign.” Over 30 years after their peak, the music of Mel Wynn & the Rhythm Aces had reached a new and wider audience. Abs’ version of the song became a charting success in the United Kingdom.

The individual members of the Rhythm Aces stayed active in music throughout their lives, from Mel Wynn promoting the relevance of rap music, to drummer Angelo Stella teaching a long line of local drummers from his base of operations in Plains Twp. Considering the social climate in which they were formed, Mel Wynn & the Rhythm Aces have played a pivotal part in making Luzerne County a more open locale for musicians to achieve their dreams, regardless of their background.