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, Blues Soul 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". Thanks to notable Akron club owner Arnie "Red" Shapiro, 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, Mandolaywhich was written and produced by Mark Avsec (of Donnie Iris and Wild Cherry fame), as well as a great composition (Rollershake) by Chris Wintrip & George Payne, and dance favorite "When The Whistle Blows", co-written by Pete Nervo and Mark Avsec. Two singles from the album made the Billboard charts, with Mandolay reaching #7 on the Club Dance/Disco chart, and "Only The Lonely" cracking the Hot 100 as a pop single. With 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. While Craig, Pete, and Gino have remained with the band for more than 40 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), beloved LaFlavour keyboard wizard Rick Dotin, who came out of retirement for the 2006 Summer Series and has remained at his familiar post ever since, and Vince Scarpitti (drums/vocals) who was handed the unenviable task of filling Steve's role in 1996, The Boys 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 45 years! There's a Spanish disco in a town not far from France Known throughout the continent where people love to dance There's a dark-skinned lady there Whose legs have brought her fame She dances in the center ring, and the people call her name Mandolay, say hey Say Mandolay Say hey Say Mandolay All the men they know her Or at least they think they do She knows she can have them all She thinks all men are fools So she winks and smiles at them and brings them to their knees Leaves them with their fantasies, but the people never see Mandolay, say hey Say Mandolay Say hey Say Mandolay She can make men happy But she'll never let them know Mandolay, she's much too cool to let her feelings show So she'll tease them with her moves, Confuse them with her mind Make love to everyone of them, But only with her eyes Mandolay, say hey Say Mandolay Say hey Say Mandolay

• published: 25 Sep 2014
• views: 42641