Chris Tso and Phil Dalessandro join forces in Syracuse, New York after both playing in the club scene. Phil and drummer Dennis Pomilio from the band Chalk, Chris from the band Ace, and bassist Rick Marcellus from Zane form the band Flyer. A founding philosophy of the group was to always exceed the fans expectations with double the performance and production value. Chris, a NYC native via SUNY Oswego, and Phil, a born and raised Syracusan, had no idea where this new band would take them—from the dark depths of Phil’s basement in Liverpool to the stages of some of the largest venues in the Northeast.
Flyer opens for the original Black Sabbath at a sold out show at the Palace Theatre in Albany, NY. This pivotal show establishes the band in New York’s Capital district.
1976 – Dennis leaves the band to pursue other interests. George Mahoney joins the band at the beginning of the year as drummer and vocalist but leaves later that year. The demanding performance and travel schedules are an added challenge in finding musicians that share the band's vision.
1977 – Rick departs and the band continues on with bassist Paul Colella followed by John Barton. After numerous drummers, including Danny Coward and Gary MacNamara, Earl Hamilton becomes a Flyer.
1978 – The powerful lineup of Phil Dalessandro on keyboards, Chris Tso on guitar and vocals, Earl Hamilton on drums and vocals, and Mike Marzullo on bass and vocals, takes shape. Due to another band having secured the name Flyer, the band name is changed and registered as the New York Flyers. Phil and Chris reinvest in the band’s sound and light systems and build a self contained, road ready stage production that would become a hallmark of the group. Backed by a road crew of innovative, energetic and courageous souls, the Flyer show explodes onto a circuit of medium venue rock clubs from Canada to Florida. Pat Benatar opens for the Flyers in Albany, NY.
The band begins working with Tidal Wave Productions, Clearwater, FL, featuring the sales and marketing talents of Joe DeMaso and Bill Werts.
1979 - The band heads into the studio to record two singles and their self-titled LP under the guidance of local legend Mark Doyle. Phil and Chris create Delso Records, recording and promoting The Headlites from Tampa, FL, and Bobby LeRock and The Natives from Central NY.
1980 – 1985 - The band continues traveling up and down the East Coast, rotating markets, and building their fan base. Promoters take note and contract the band to play state fairs, war memorials, and live radio broadcasts of shows with Eddie Money, Marshall Tucker, Edgar Winter, and others. Original material becomes a larger component of the band’s focus. The album goes into a second pressing.
1985 - Phil decides to leave the band looking for a change from running the backbone and production of a live road act. The band continues as an aggressive power trio with Chris, Mike, and Earl. Mike leaves the group for other interests.
Chris and Earl recruit two talented musicians to fill the shoes of Mike and Phil. Jon Celi and John Cannata dive in and begin their journey with the Flyers.
1986 - Chris ponders the future of the Flyers and Earl decides it is time for him to pursue other things. After eleven years of roadwork, over 2000 performances, diminishing venues, and higher liabilities, Chris realizes it is time to put it to rest and the Flyers schedule their last gig for New Year’s Eve. The last 3 months are promoted as “The Flyers’ Last Flight”.
1987 - The Flyers reunite for an energizing show at Stitville Field Days. With a rotating roster, all members shared the stage and gave the audience a night to remember.
2004 - After seventeen years, the core band regroups for a sold out double bill with Alecstar at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY.
2005 - Reunion at the Turning Stone Casio, Verona NY
2007 - Reunion at The Turning Stone Casio, Verona NY
2009 - Reunion at the Turning Stone Casio, Verona NY w/Alecstar
2012 - Reunion at Mac's Bad Art Bar, Syracuse, NY. Getting back to their roots they wanted to play in a club up, close and personal.
