Chatting w/ Philly Rock Legend Buddy Blanchard

Recently, I got the chance to sit down with Buddy Blanchard, Lead singer of “Romeo Delight”, the band Matt O’Donnell of ABC Action News and thousands of Americans call the greatest Van Halen tribute band in the world. I met Buddy after seeing Romeo Delight perform at Daryl’s House, the nightclub and television show owned by Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates fame.

DON: When your fans see you and Romeo Delight hit the stage, the crowd goes wild because you bring the look, the sound and the excitement of a true Van Halen concert. We’re really there!

BUDDY: Yeah, that’s right Don. I try to transport everyone back to a special time in their youth. In fact I received many letters yesterday, after a show we played outdoors in Bethlehem, PA on Saturday for a huge audience, thanking me for making them “feel like they were fourteen years old again.”

D: As a mainstay of rock music on the east coast, can you give us a brief history of Buddy Blanchard and Romeo Delight?

B: Absolutely! My friends and I started Romeo Delight in 2007 or 2008. While Van Halen was tearing up America in the top grossing concert of the year, we were playing the same songs at the Galaxy in Summerdale, New Jersey. Eventually, we decided to start a Van Halen band to get us out on Saturday nights but it quickly snowballed into something much bigger than I ever expected. Although band members came and went and one guitarist passed away, I kept the band going because someone always wanted us to play. We were always in demand so I kept the ball rolling! I look forward to where we are going next.

D: What were some wins for the band in the early days?

B: Oh, I got lots! In the early days, things here in the Northeast like the Pennypack Music Festival where we first played for 7,000! Playing at The Electric Factory was also like a dream come true. I also recall the Event Center Concert in Oaks, PA. We played as backup band for the great Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees.

D: This question is of interest to many students of music who will read this interview because here at Bucks County Music we teach people to learn to play the music they love. How in the world did you learn to play and sing well enough to entertain thousands of people? How did you gain the skills to become a rock and roll celebrity?

B: Before the internet, music was the thing to do. We played sports and played music and hung out with different groups of friends. So some different guys would show up and have difference skills. Someone knew drums, another guy knew guitar. Others could sing. And you’d have those guys show you different things and we’d all just play together. I had some formal singing lessons with opera instructors and so that helped me a lot but you don’t need that.

Also the recording artists we listened to were a great influence on me. I was lucky to have Rob Halford of Judas Priest taught me to sing the low notes and the high notes and shape my style, placement and tone. I learned that there is something intrinsically good about all music. The trick is to ride the wave until you become the wave.

D: What do you like to do in your precious spare time Buddy?

B: After music, it’s all family. Movies, vacation or just being together. After work and music it is all family.

D: How does a fan try to get your attention?

B. The guys are great and they are loud and videotaping! You could say, they give me energy and I give it back to them.

Oh, and the girls!  Well usually, they wear a Van Halen shirt and cut it to ribbons so there is nothing left to the imagination [laughs].

Really though, just getting close to the stage and showing enthusiasm. Energy. Eye to eye communication.

D: If you could change your name Buddy, what would it be?

B: We thought about changing my name to Dylan Sky. Dylan Sky sounded pretty good many years ago but it’s a good thing I never changed it because it certainly sounds silly now.

D: If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

B: Runnin’ With the Devil! If I can fit a little bit of that song into the lyric of my life, it will keep me going. It will keep me energized!

D: You mentioned that you and Romeo Delight are having your best year yet. What do you look forward to most?

B: Bigger and better shows and meeting and sharing music with people everywhere.

D: Thank you, Buddy. Folks should check out your website and schedule at vanhalentributeband.com.

B: Thanks Don! Continued success to you also at buckscountymusic.com.