The Invitation Only band - one of Connecticut's own 'oldies' bands has a rich musical heritage.

From the beginning of the Rock 'N' Roll era, CT's own Invitation Only has a direct connection to Rock 'N' Roll pioneer DJ Alan Freed and The Kingsmen - the well-known N.W. band of Louie, Louie fame.

Founding member and leader of Invitation Only, Geoff Bell explains ''My dad Charlie Bell worked at a local radio station, and he'd get 45's and LP's by Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Buddy Holly, Johnny Tillotson, and many other legends of Rock 'N' Roll."

"By the time I was 3-4-5 years old, I was playing 'radio station' in my bedroom. I even had a microphone and speaker."

"Over time, my record collection grew. I also discovered my dad's guitar and thought, 'thats cool'. In 1964, when The Beatles 'happened' to the world, I gave that guitar another look. A year later, my parents divorced."

"My mother remarried. My new stepfather, a former drummer with pioneer Rock 'N' Roll DJ Alan Freed (having appeared with such early Rock 'N' Roll legends as Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, CT's Five Satins, the Everly Brothers and others) was now in artist management - handling artists such as Johnny Tillotson, Dionne Warwick, The Crystals, as well as the legendary Kingsmen of 'Louie, Louie' fame."

"My stepdad would take me on the road with him and The Kingsmen on winter and summer vacations when I was 12-13-14 years old. It was a GREAT experience. That did it for me. I didn't know exacty what, where, how, but I did know that music was my life."

"At the age of 12, I got my first guitar. At 13, my first electric and formed my first band... we'll discuss that some other time... more time out with The Kingsmen."

"As i got older, and better on guitar, the music got better, and my bands got better. I picked up valuable music business knowledge, and with a strong desire to keep the musical legacy alive, I decided, to form a band to perform 'Real' dance-able Rock 'N' Roll."

"I polished my playing, designed a plan, found some like minded local musicians, and, in 1991, the Invitation Only band took form."

"Now, 20 years after its birth, the band carries on the rich musical heritage it was born from. We do what we want, when we want, and hopefully people like what they hear."

"We try to help others with our music. One of the band's goals is to raise funds for New Horizons Shelter that supports women who are victims of domestic violence, a cause the band believes in. It's something we need to do, and we enjoy helping. Its a ministry, in a way."

Former founding member John Swingler agrees. "I was with the band for 20 years, and the greatest performances were the domestic violence benefits. There were others, but we really enjoyed helping."

Today, the Invitation Only band continues their rich tradition, and carries their musical heritage with them proudly.