[1][2] In 1958, Szelest formed Stan and the Ravens, a blues group that became popular in western New York.
New York producer David Lucas recorded sessions with the group, resulting in the release "Farmer's Daughter" a song written by Szelest.
Lucas also recorded a song entitled, "Howlin' for My Darlin" and b-side, "It Won't Be Long Now" using the name, the Rivals instead of Stan and the Ravens for the Spector/Wand label.
Szelest went on to have a busy career as a session player with acts as diverse as fellow Hawks alumnus King Biscuit Boy to avant-garde former Velvet Underground member John Cale.
He died of a heart attack in 1991 while in Woodstock recording with Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson.