Fork + Flask Brunch with the Band to feature Robbie Lablanc April 20
Band members Ken Schleifer and radio personality/columnist Bob Yesbek of 2nd Time Around are pleased to debut singer/guitarist Robbie Lablanc at 11 a.m, Saturday, April 20, at Fork + Flask in Rehoboth. Built around the iconic sound of the Hammond B-3 Console Organ, 2nd Time Around’s eclectic mix of vintage rock, classic blues, light jazz and standards blends perfectly with Lablanc’s unique style.
Robbie starting singing at the age of 3, because his dad brought in a new Trini Lopez record. That, along with the sound of the Beatles, got him and his brother Brian harmonizing. Their first band, Fury, was a hit, performing in 1984 on “Star Search” (as the Furies) on the same show as Toto’s current lead singer, Joseph Williams. A record deal followed, with Fury being produced by Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals. The debut album named for the band did well, followed by another deal with Atlantic Records’ Arif Mardin.
Robbie and Brian then formed Blanc Faces with the help of Serafino Perugino, the head of Frontiers Records. The two resulting CDs were widely accepted in Europe and brought Robbie the Find Me project, earning great reviews with their third release, Angels in Blue. That success was followed by the Cannonbalz project CD with keyboardist Vince Dicola who composed the movie soundtracks for “The Transformers: The Movie,” “Staying Alive” and “Rocky IV.” Drummer and engineer Jonathan Mover, former member of the bands Marillion and GTR, was on drums, along with Doug Wimbish on bass. Doug was a member of band Living Colour and funk/dub/hip hop collective Tackhead, playing session dates with artists such as The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, Depeche Mode, James Brown, Annie Lennox and Barrington Levy. Robbie’s work is enjoying a resurgence, having topped the AOR charts in Australia just a few weeks ago.
Time marches on, and the lure of settling down can be strong. Lablanc is currently the Northeast Regional manager for Bogle Vineyards. After meeting keyboardist Bob Yesbek through Vintage Imports’ Paul Karp on Yesbek’s radio show, the two musical veterans decided to jam a bit. Add master percussionist and educator Ken Schleifer into the mix, and the jam turned into membership in 2nd Time Around. After playing professionally for 28 years - including three years as The Hi-Notes at the former Hideaway Lounge rock club in Ocean City, Md., this project is indeed Yesbek’s second time around.
After expenses and payroll, the band’s profits are donated to the RehobothFoodie.com/Touch of Italy Culinary Scholarship Fund. The charity is in its fourth year of providing tuition assistance to local high school culinary students and others to continue their education at universities and vocational institutions. The foundation has contributed thousands of dollars to help these budding chefs and foodservice managers realize their goals in the hospitality industry.
Everyone’s encouraged to join the Fork + Flask crew and 2nd Time Around starting at 11 a.m. this coming Saturday, and the third Saturday of every month this year. As a special surprise, Fork + Flask’s brunch menu will include Lablanc’s favorite brunch dish - aptly named Robbie’s Hangover Cure! Reservations are strongly suggested; call 302-226-2037.
