LAPANO, GABE

Homebase: Spokane / San Diego / Elk, Washington
Stats:
Misc Notes: Raised in Spokane, Gabriel "Gabe" Lapano began playing piano at age 11.  At age 15 he helped form his first band, the Dominotes. In 1963 his family moved from Spokane to San Diego. In his senior year in high school he auditioned and joined The Accents, which with the addition of singer Sandra Rouse, became the Accents featuring Sandi (or Sandi and the Accents). Between May 1964 and May 1966 they recorded five singles - all produced by their manager (and San Diego area guitar teacher) Andy DiMartino. Rouse and Lapano shared vocal duties on 1964's "Tell Me What's On Your Mind" (Commerce Records). Lapano penned "Then He Starts To Cry," which the Accents recorded for CRC/Charter Records. He also wrote "I Really Love You" and co-wrote "What Do You Want To Do (Little Darlin')" as released by Liberty Records in July 1965. In May 1966 his songs "On The Run" and "He's The One" were released by Karate Records. Then, at one point, Lapano was recruited to play piano on the "Truly Julie's Blues" / "Cheryl's Goin' Home" single by another combo that DiMartino was managing: the Cascades. In late 1966 the original Cascades began to crumble, and Lapano was recruited to fill in for the departing members, John Gummoe (keys, and composer of their first hit, 1963's "Rhythm Of The Rain) and Ron Lynch (keys and sax). In 1967 Smash Records released his songs "Hey Little Girl Of Mine"/ "Blue Hours." In 1968 Lapano conceptualized the Cascades' What Goes On Inside album (including his "Have You Seen Maria") for their own Cascades Records label, and during its three-day recording session Kent Morrill (former Wailers keyboardist / singer) contributed some vocals and several songs. The Cascades cut their final album, Maybe The Rain Will Fall, in 1969, and Lapano soon recorded his songs ("Never To Leave" / "Things Must Change") with Gummoe and DiMartino, as The Two Bits.

Various other artists would record Lapano's songs, including: the 7 Sons (On The Run"); the Care Package ("Keep on Keeping On"); Cher ("If It Gets Me Where I Want To Go"); Denny Doherty (" Neighbors").

In 1970 Lapano, Gummoe, DiMartino, and Morrill, began working together in a short-lived group called Image, before recasting it as Kentucky Express, which then cut two albums. In 1973 Lapano's new band, Gabriel, recorded his songs, "Back On The Road Again" and "Canadian Gold", which were released by Elektra Records. In 1975 Gabriel recorded his "The Bump" and "Will You" for the Artists of America label, and then between 1976 and 1977 Lapano performed in a lounge duo, before resettling back in his home state of Washington.

ALSO SEE:
1.) Accents featuring Sandi, The
2.) The Cascades
3.) The Two Bits
4.) Kentucky Express
5.) Kent Morrill
6.) Gabriel [CA]

search by ARTIST