The Beloved Few

Biography

Singer/keyboardist Michael Troy and drummer David Stefanelli met in 1985 in their hometown of Boston when Stefanelli helped out on Troy's demo. They wrote songs together from that time forward, but it wasn't until 1998, however, that they decided to call themselves the Beloved Few and release their debut album. Stefanelli's career began in earnest in 1981 when he signed on as the drummer for Robert Ellis Orrall. In the mid-'80s he played with Boston-area guitarist Barry Goudreau, the California Raisins, and RTZ. Stefanelli hooked up with Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band in 1994 and became a member of Peter Wolf and the Houseparty 5 for several years. Michael Troy spent his teenage years playing piano and listening to Elton John and Billy Joel. In the '80s he recorded some of his songs with Boston producer/studio owner Mitch Bennoff. One of those songs, "Kayleigh," won first place in the Billboard Magazine Song Festival. Troy continued to work playing in a piano bar, writing, and recording. He did many local and national radio and TV voice-overs, including a "Chevy of America" spot. In 1989, Troy worked as a studio musician with members of the Cars and Billy Ocean's band. Some of his songs were used on the television shows Melrose Place, Pacific Heights, and The Young and the Restless. Stefanelli and Troy are regular fixtures on the New England pop/rock scene.