Announcing The Sky
May 22, 2009 multi-platinum singer songwriter Robert Fleischman will be unveiling his new band The Sky at the National theatre in Richmond, Virginia. Upon his induction with Journey to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, his desire to perform live was inspired. After auditioning his native town of Los Angeles for musicians, Robert decided to look into a different circle of players.
LA session drummer Andre LaBelle, who played with Robert in the past with KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent, had relocated to Virginia. Robert soon discovered that Richmond was exploding with talent. Upon flying perspective players to Vegas for auditions, Robert decided to develop the band in Virginia. Holding down the rhythm is Andre LaBelle and Steve Barber. The guitars are provided by Stephan LaJaunie and Brady Cole. The sound these five musicians have created is an atmospheric chemistry with a driving punch that could be compared to the likes of Oasis, The Verve, or the more psychedelic sounds produced by The Cult and Bowie. The Sky is excited to debut this fresh material for the city of Richmond at this historical Theatre.
Robert Fleischman was born in Los Angeles, raised in Torrance California, and has enjoyed tremendous success as a vocalist, songwriter and performer during his career. Robert exploded onto the booming California music scene in the late 1970’s when he joined a San Francisco band, looking to make the transformation from rock-fusion to a more radio friendly, commercial rock sound. This band, Journey, would go on to become one of the most successful rock bands in the history of music. Robert, the original lead vocalist, wrote and performed with Journey for just under a year. Due to a conflict of interest with management, vocalist Steve Perry was hired; continuing the sound that Fleischman was instrumental in helping the band establish. With the triple platinum success of Journey’s Infinity album on which Robert’s songs are prominently featured, the name Robert Fleischman had quickly become synonymous with hit songwriting. His most noteworthy contributions to the band were, "Wheel in the Sky", "Anytime", and "Winds of March". In January of 2005 when Journey received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, they insisted that Robert be included in the honor.
Later, Robert signed a deal with Arista Records and recorded his first solo album with Jimmy Iovine, Perfect Stranger (1979), which included former Journey band mate Neal Schon. A successful solo tour would follow the release of the album, including shows with Van Halen, Eddie Money, Boston and Sammy Hagar.
In the early 1980’s, Robert formed the melodic rock band, Channel. The band was signed to Epic Records and they released their self-titled debut in 1984 to great critical success. Channel, however, was short lived because of a new opportunity that would soon be calling for Robert.
Robert next joined Vinnie Vincent, of KISS, and fellow band member Bobby Rock to record Vinnie Vincent Invasion (Chrysalis) in 1986. The record featured Robert’s piercing vocals and Vincent’s wicked guitar playing and included the hit single "Boyz Are Gonna Rock".
Over the next decade, Robert would greatly expand his involvement in the music industry as a staff songwriter for the prestigious Almo Irving Publishing and as a musical score composer for feature film and television projects.
Although his career has been filled with success, Robert Fleischman has always felt more comfortable in the recording studio, flying under the radar while he quietly goes about his business as a songwriter and recording artist. “I think of myself as a songwriter more than anything,” Fleischman admits, “and of course I like recording my own material.”
“Every album I’ve done recently has been different than the others,” Robert explains, “and that is because I like to go in and record whatever I’m feeling at the moment. I’m fortunate that my songwriting career has given me the freedom to do that.” From orchestral to pop to electronic, metal and A/C rock, Robert’s songwriting and vocal abilities transcend genres and stylings. He is a truly gifted singer and songwriter, and a musician’s musician. “For me, it’s all about the writing,” he said, “you can have the greatest singer and band, but what really matters is the songs.”
On his latest solo album, Look At The Dream, Fleischman seems to have found that balance between commercial success and artistic self-interest. Robert explains. “If you can make a record that satisfies your creative muse, the industry and the public, you have achieved something special.” That is what Fleischman has done on Look At The Dream. The title track, which is also the first single off the album, bridges that balance perfectly with a commercially pop-oriented melody blended with personal, introspective lyrics. The CD’s opening track “Come Alive” is a powerful rock track that also showcases Robert’s haunting vocal abilities. He rocks hard on “Temptation,” conjures up catchy hooks on “When You’re Not Around” and then reverts to a lyrically driven ballad like “Déjà Vu,” still making them belong on the same album. The thread that creates the cohesive quality of the album is Robert Fleischman’s talent.
Fleischman reveals “It was time for me to put myself out there as an artist once again.” Look At The Dream takes Robert Fleischman’s years of experience and broad range of talent and puts him out there among the elite storytellers and vocalists of pop music.
