2,654

60,538

58

Mar 16, 2008

1 month ago

36

Ohio

United States

LaFlavour began humbly in Massillon, Ohio in 1967. Twin brothers Pete and Steve Nervo (guitar and drums) joined with schoolmates Craig DeBock (guitar and sax) and Gino Milchak (bass guitar) to form the core of what would actually become several bands. Instead of following the path set by the British Invasion, the boys began playing soul tunes and early Motown, eventually getting gigs at local dances and sockhops. This early version of the band first called themselves The Noblemen, then The Blues Soul. By the mid-1970s, the boys had progressed into one of the hottest dance bands in the area, and eventually began traveling as the show band Ragweed. Eventually, they came to the attention of top entertainment booking agent John Sansone from Buffalo, NY, who took over the booking for the band and decided to re-name them Flavour. The boys became LaFlavour with the release of the album Mandolay in 1980, which was mostly written and produced by Mark Avsec (of Donnie Iris and Wild Cherry fame). Two singles from the album made the Billboard charts, with Mandolay reaching #7. With a certified success under their belts, La Flavour was signed to MCA records, who thought it wise to separate their show image from their recording image. MCA changed the band's name to Fair Warning, and the boys and Mark Avsec recorded a second album, this time of catchy pop/rock tunes. Fair Warning included a sure-fire hit single written by Avsec titled She Don't Know Me. However, an upcoming band from Jersey called Bon Jovi were recording their first album at this time, and the song was selected for them. This move more or less ruined the chances of the song being pushed as a single for Fair Warning, and since the success of Mandolay had come on the heels of the disco/dance craze, Fair Warning was not as well received, and MCA eventually shelved the album and the project. Meanwhile, the show group LaFlavour was taking the country by storm in the big showrooms - the nightclubs and hotels across the country using live entertainment to do big business in the '80s. Since dance music was essential to the atmosphere in these rooms, La Flavour proved to be the perfect act to insure a full house. Since they were now internationally famous for their hit Mandolay, having LaFlavour on the bill was even a bigger draw. Plus, by this time the boys had developed to perfection a novelty in their act which proved to be their crowning jewel: the comedy-oriented floor shows featuring two simple muppet-style puppets, Franklin and Nick. Franklin and Nick were actually two store-bought puppets operated by Pete Nervo. Gino became the voice of Franklin, and perched himself on Craig's left shoulder. With DeBock serving as the host/straight man, Franklin began each puppet show cracking funny lines and telling jokes while Craig led him through a multitude of subjects. Eventually, they would summon Franklin's brother Nick (voiced by Pete), who would grumble as he appeared on Craig's right shoulder - always slightly intoxicated and grumpy. The puppets provided the boys with the vehicle to say almost anything on stage, and audiences roared with laughter - since the material was being delivered by two puppets rather than human beings. Of all the great music LaFlavour performed over the years, and of all their different levels of success, they are probably best remembered for all the floor shows featuring Franklin and Nick. Today, the infamous LaFlavour puppets are enjoying their retirement hanging prominently on the wall of a band member's family home, but the memories of all the fabulous comedy routines are still cherished by LaFlavour fans. As LaFlavour entered the 1990's, the showrooms were beginning to fade. With the arrival of electronic multi-media, and entertainment outlets such as MTV and VH-1, Las Vegas-style shows were not impressing people the same any more. Also, the comedy material that was the cornerstone of the band's puppet shows began to collide with the country's changing political climate. While most didn't find it offensive hearing cagey comedy delivered by two cute puppets in the '80s, the 1990's brought on a whole different attitude toward political correctness. LaFlavour needed a new direction to survive.

The 90's saw LaFlavour returning to a high-energy dance format, where they once again found success, as well as an audience from a new generation eager to experience dance music from the 70's and 80's, an era they missed but craved with a passion. With LaFlavour, they found the genuine article. Here was a band who had actually been there - with a Top-10 disco hit to their credit, no less!Although the new club audiences had lost interest in show bands and became obsessed with packed dance floors, there emerged an audience outside the club scene still wanting to be entertained. At the dawn of the New Millennium, LaFlavour suddenly found themselves in demand to deliver concert performances, particularly during the summer months. Thanks to energetic local concert promoters like Bill Curtain and Walt English, the boys began filling up their summer months with appearances at Community Concert Series events, headlining to thousands of fans of all ages who weren't necessarily regulars at their club dates. Performing a wide variety of popular music, LaFlavour became an annual favorite on this exciting new circuit, enabling them once again to show off the range of their entertainment abilities. The Summer Concert Series also gave longtime LaFlavour fans the opportunity to see all four original members onstage performing together. While Craig, Pete, and Gino have remained with the band for more than 30 years, original drummer/vocalist Steve Nervo retired in 1996 for health reasons. However, when he's able, Steve makes guest appearances with the band during the Summer Concert Series, most notably performing his remarkable lead vocals on the hit song Mandolay. Along with LaFlavour veterans John Casey (guitar/vocals/keyboards) and Vince Scarpitti (drums/vocals), Craig, Pete, Gino, and Steve are still bringing to audiences the highest quality live entertainment available anywhere, filled with the same incredible music, fun, and antics they've become famous for during a remarkable career spanning nearly 40 years!Craig DeBock is La Flavour's main man, and has been for over 30 years. He doesn't like to be called the leader, but simply put, Craig's leadership abilities are among the many reasons for the band's ongoing success. Although he's one of the finest saxophone players anywhere, Craig handles so many other responsibilities that his unique woodwind style is sometimes taken for granted. Craig also fronts the band with an energetic lead vocal style, and a stage presence that commands audiences everywhere. He also plays guitar and handles the electronic percussion programming for the band. If all that isn't enough, Craig manages to stay on top of the band's finances and business matters, including bookings, transportation, and the band's apparel. Craig leads La Flavour like a conductor directs an orchestra; firmly but calmly - with a sincere and friendly personality that has made him a respected member of the show business community all over the country.Pete Nervo is LaFlavour's Utility Man. Whether it's adding a special touch to the band's arrangements with his distinctive guitar style, or playing saxophone or keyboards, Pete's contribution to LaFlavour has helped round out their full sound for more than 30 years. Pete's vocal style goes waaay down low....like Melvin from the Temptations! Along with his musical talents, Pete is probably best remembered for his years on the road with LaFlavour doing the voice of Nick, the more obnoxious of the two LaFlavour puppets! Pete's comedic genius was appreciated from coast to coast during the 70's and 80's. Pete is the twin brother of original LaFlavour drummer Steve Nervo, and the co-writer of LaFlavour's first hit single When The Whistle Blows. Gino Milchak is La Flavour's bass man. He not only plays bass guitar, but adds a unique style to La Flavour's techno-dance tunes on his keyboard bass, making him one of the most versatile bassists in the country. Gino also provides a vital part to La Flavour's harmony stack, often taking the highest voice - always distinctive and first-class. Gino spent many years on the road with La Flavour knockin' 'em dead as the voice of Franklin, one of the famous La Flavour puppets. His comic flair helped gain the band popularity from Atlantic City to Orlando. None of the above talents, however, have been as important to La Flavour fans as Gino's dynamic stage presence. Gino has been La Flavour's heart and soul for over 30 years, and he doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

Vince Scarpitti has been a member of LaFlavour for quite some time now, starting with the band during the summer of 1996. He began playing drums at age 4, listening to early Beatles albums and trying to copy Ringo Starr. When LaFlavour scored a # 7 Billboard hit with Mandolay, Vince was a senior at Canton Central Catholic High School, and never dreamed that one day he'd be providing that distinctive beat to Mandolay onstage. Vince was originally recruited as a fill-in for Steve Nervo . When Steve decided to give up live performing to concentrate on recording, Vince was asked to stay - and he got to fulfill a dream - to work with LaFlavour as a full-fledged member. Vince had previously played in Canton's famous Overture Band with cabaret performers Khikai and Danny Mac, and recorded 7 albums with musician / singer / composer Jack Chesterfield , a collaboration that continued right up until Jack's untimely death in September of 2003. Prior to his work at the Overture, Vince was in the legendary Canton rock band Brimstone , led by recording artist Chris Wintrip, as well as the bands Essence, Act Two, The Gale Parsons Band, Lotus, and Touch. He also spent several years polishing his jazz chops in the local clubs, working with some of Northeast Ohio's finest musicians. Vince's style is alive and energetic, and always gets LaFlavour fans out of their seats and onto their feet!John Casey. Growing up in the 1960's in a musical household with six siblings, John's early influences were established by listening to his two sisters play piano, his brother play folk guitar and another brother sing in a soul band. A pivotal year came just after the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 that influenced John (like many others) to take up guitar at the age of 10. By 1968, John was playing in his first band, The Ties That Bind (aptly named by his brother Terry 'cause it sounded cool). During his teenage years, John started to grow his rock and roll by legs by playing for Akron area high school dances in a band he co-founded called Iron Horse. While in college at The University of Akron, John collaborated with respected friends in a short-lived popular bar band called Stride (circa 1975). Upon graduating from college in 1979, John joined up with an area rock band Ocean playing the Agora nightclubs and other college rock/dance venues. In 1980, John co-founded a club band, Full House, with other disenchanted rock and roll musicians wanting to play more of the dance venues (yep, funk and soul were always at heart). Growing tired of the local music scene, John landed a position with a national touring band California and left Ohio to travel on the road during 1981. This is where John got busy honing his rhythm section chops with an 8 piece horn band. In December of that year, John received a phone call from Craig DeBock of LaFlavour, asking if he would be interested in joining the band (upon recommendation of former guitarist, Rusty Bretts). After that phone call, John auditioned and immediately joined LaFlavour. John toured, played and recorded with LaFlavour until January of 1988 when he made the decision to pursue a career in the sales and marketing field of the professional audio and music manufacturing industry. Since then, John has held key marketing management positions with many audio and electronics companies. Now, reunited with LaFlavour in 2005, John has closed the loop and come full circle with his good friends and bandmates. Hearing the band live, you will notice John plays numerous styles from many guitar influences. One of his strong suits is his ability to lay down funk and rhythm grooves. His tone and styling come very close to many of the original artists covered.Steve Nervo is the original La Flavour drummer, traveling and performing with the band for 29 years. He occasionally sits in with the band and continues to stay active in recording. Steve is probably best known for his melodic and dynamic lead vocals. He was the lead voice on both of La Flavour's chart singles, Mandolay, and When The Whistle Blows. Recently, Steve has made guest appearances with LaFlavour during their annual Summer Concert Series performances, a special and rare treat for LaFlavour fans everywhere! There are currently a number of great Steve Nervo CDs for sale, featuring everything from remakes of LaFlavour hits to awesome oldies compilations and standards, as well as Steve's own original compositions.

Rick Dotin. Yes, in LaFlavour, miracles can happen! After a decade and a half away from the music business, original LaFlavour keyboardist/vocalist Rick Dotin has returned to his familiar spot behind the keys for LaFlavour's Summer Concert Series! Rick didn't decide to come out of mothballs in a subtle way - that's simply not his style. Instead, he has assembled a modern state-of-the-art digital keyboard rig sure to make any worthwhile L.A. session cat drool. When he arrived at the first LaFlavour concert rehearsal, his skeptical bandmates suddenly found their jaws collectively on the studio floor when they realized Mr. Dotin hadn't lost ANY of his trademark chops he became so known for during his long tenure with the band during the 70's and 80's. Rick began playing with The Boys back in the early 70's when they were still struggling to get recognition as Ragweed. Once they changed their name to Flavour, then became national hitmakers as LaFlavour at the start of the 80's, Rick had already become known across the country as a technical keyboard wizard as well as a compelling lead singer. Rick's stage rig consisted of every single keyboard Rick Wakeman ever dreamed about, and was built onto an incredible keyboard riser that allowed him to tower over the band. Ever since Rick slipped into retirement in the early 90's, LaFlavour fans have constantly asked: What ever happened to the incredible tall keyboard player who controlled all that musical hardware with his arms outstretched? The current members of LaFlavour finally have a suitable answer: He'll be onstage with us all summer - don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the us performing all that great show material you've come to expect from us over the years - with Mr. Rick Dotin providing much of the orchestration! Rick's recorded work can be heard on LaFlavour's hit album from 1980, Mandolay, as well as their out-of-print follow-up album Fair Warning. Along with the rest of LaFlavour, he is planning to participate in a live DVD to be recorded at some of the larger shows this summer.