Windsor is a city built on the back of industry and the hum of the assembly line, and Rick LaBonté is the human personification of that grit. Standing in the back of the Cosmos Lounge at Caesars Windsor, you can feel the low-end frequencies rattling the cocktail glasses before you even see the band. LaBonté is a fixture here, a man who has navigated the local circuit since the early 90s with a stubborn refusal to let a physiological disadvantage dictate his volume.
He was born with a hearing impairment that would have sidelined a lesser ego. But LaBonté does not do quiet. His hearing loss, concentrated primarily in his right ear, is a technical hurdle he clears with a combination of high-end gear and raw intuition. When he is on stage, the hearing aids stay in the case. He does not need them when the stack is dimed.
“The bands I play in are loud enough,” LaBonté says, leaning into the reality of his workspace. “I also own decent sound gear to address my needs on stage, if my band was supplying the sound as well as the entertainment. Frankly, everywhere I perform they provide a sound engineer such as Cosmos Lounge in Caesars Windsor – they usually take care of my needs. My personal monitor will be dialed in to exactly what I need to sing in key and to clearly hear the instruments. As a front man, I can move around and find my sweet spot where I can perform without compromising my pitch. When it comes to listening to music, I generally use headphones or play it fairly loud in my vehicle. As a singer, I have to double my effort to learn the lyrics, pronunciations and phrasing. There is no doubt that I have to work harder on my musical journey than some, due to my hearing disability.”
That extra effort is evident in the sheer volume of his catalogue. To look at his history is to read a map of Windsor’s bar scene over three decades. He has fronted everything from the Sensational Sixties Woodstock Revue to Jukebox Heroes, The Force, Secret Formula, Centerpeace, Shady Characters, Feedback and Soundstorm. It is a dizzying list of credits that speaks to a man who cannot stay off a stage.
His 2016 debut, *On A Mission*, was not just an album; it was an act of reclamation. It started as a Soundstorm project in the late 90s before the band imploded, leaving the tracks to gather dust. Most artists would have let those tapes rot. LaBonté, however, is a completionist.
“I recorded ‘On A Mission’ at Polaris Recording Studio in Windsor, Ont.,” he explains. “This project was originally a ‘Soundstorm’ album in the late 90s and it was abandoned with a few tracks ‘in the can’ due to the fact the band had broken up. I felt it was unfinished business. Needless to say, I put this on my bucket list to release an album. In 2014, I decided to preserve the songs that I wrote or collaborated with and complete the album with new songs. The best of both worlds of technology was used to record this album; using analog tape and digital recording process with Pro Tools software.”
The resulting 14-track record is a snapshot of his DNA. It is rooted in the 70s, an era that defined his sonic palate. He is a self-taught harmonica player who cut his teeth on high school musicals at Riverside Secondary School before picking up the guitar in his 20s. He is the outlier in a family of music lovers who never picked up an instrument themselves.
“I was raised in the 70s and in my house, music was played often, whether on the radio or my father’s records,” LaBonté says. “I would later become a music collector especially CDs. My mother would often sing in the house and encourage me to sing along. Though my immediate family were non-musicians, we all were music lovers. In my family, I am the only musician. I am a self-taught harmonica player since my early teens. I participated in high school musicals such as Grease and Godspell in Riverside Secondary School. I’ve learned how to play the guitar in my early 20s. I’ve learned and still dabble on keyboards especially in songwriting. I am a singer, songwriter on the local scene, since the early 90s. Every band I was in I was the lead singer. Often as a front man, I would be the booking agent and spokesperson for the group.”
And he keeps the calendar full. Currently, he splits his time between The Formula, a rock and dance outfit formed in 2010, and The Blues Side, a group dedicated to the purer forms of R&B and Motown. When he wants to play the material from *On A Mission*, he assembles the Band of Brothers. It is a revolving door of Windsor’s elite players.
“Presently, I am in a couple of bands,” he says. “The Formula formed in 2010 – still is going strong. This band plays a variety of music mainly classic/modern rock and dance music. The Blues Side formed in 2014 and continues to keep the blues scene alive. The band consists of Michael Hereford, John Kersey, Matt David, Denis Bastarache and I performs traditional to contemporary blues, R&B, Motown and Rock and Roll. Each band performs some of my original songs. When I perform strictly original songs from my album then I am billed under Rick LaBonté and the Band of Brothers. In the 21st century, the bands I was in, were Sensational Sixties ‘Woodstock Revue’, Jukebox Heroes, The Force, and Secret Formula. In the 90s, I was in bands such as Centerpeace, Shady Characters, Feedback, and Soundstorm.”
The industry respect he commands is perhaps best illustrated by his invitation to share the stage with Tallan Noble Latz at the Walkerville Theatre. For a guy who held his own CD release party in that same venue, the return was a full-circle moment. Latz, a guitar prodigy with a heavy touring schedule, recognized the fire in LaBonté’s performance style.
“Yes, I received an invitation to join him on stage in August of this year, to sing a few songs with Tallan’s band at the Walkerville Theatre,” LaBonté recalls. “Of course, I was delighted he is a great player and a real good person. I saw him perform the year before and he has lot of passion on stage and that is something I could relate to. He asked me to sing and bring my harmonica for ‘Roadhouse Blues’ and ‘Rocking In The Free World’. So I did, and it was a good show. Tallan has a bright future ahead of him. I had a great time. I have a soft spot for Walkerville Theatre where the show was held because that is where I held my CD release party in 2016. It was a full house. Another great memory.”
This project was originally a ‘Soundstorm’ album in the late 90’s and it was abandoned... I felt it was unfinished business. Needless to say, I put this on my bucket list to release an album.
But if you want to see LaBonté truly light up, ask him about Uriah Heep. Most fans are content with a signed poster. LaBonté ended up on the mic during the encore. It is the kind of rock and roll serendipity that only happens to people who actually know the liner notes. He is a walking encyclopedia of the British Invasion and the prog-rock era, and that knowledge earned him a spot in the inner circle.
“Talk about living the dream,” he says. “I have been a fan of Uriah Heep since I was 17 or 18. As a huge record and CD collector, I’ve studied the whole history of rock music from 50s to the modern age. I know my albums inside and out whether its Beatles, Who, Led Zeppelin, Styx, Rush, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep etc. Therefore, it has definitely played a role in why I became fast friends with the band. I knew their anthology and their history. Another thing to know about me, I attend many concerts. I saw Uriah Heep in Windsor in 1990 at the Capitol Theatre for the first time. They shook my hand when I was in front row. It would be another 28 years before they would tour near Windsor again. In February of this year, Uriah Heep was coming to Ontario. The closest gig was in London. I arranged with their management for a ‘meet and greet’ and the plan just got better and better. I was invited to their sound check. We became fast friends when they met me and learned I have all their CDs. I sang ‘Easy Living’ with the band. It went so well that they called me back up that night to perform the song on their encore. I was already on cloud nine to meet them and have them sign my CDs let alone perform to a full house with them. My friends and I were invited to the backstage party afterwards and I kept in contact with the band ever since. In fact, Mick Box (Founder and guitarist for Uriah Heep) wrote about me in his blog calling me Super Heep Fan. I got to hang out with Bassist Davy Rimmer and Drummer Russ Gilbrook till the wee hours. We are Facebook friends today. In September, I received an autographed copy of their latest CD release ‘Living The Dream’ in the mail. I highly recommend it. Long Live Uriah Heep !!”
His resume is littered with these moments. He has jammed with The Tea Party, played Beale Street in Memphis and shared microphones with Thornetta Davis and Scott Holt. In 2017, the city officially recognized his contribution by inducting him into the Windsor Musicians Hall of Fame. It was a validation of the grind.
“Many great memories that could be considered a highlight,” he says. “I was invited to join The Tea Party on stage once. I have performed on Beale Street in Memphis when I visit there in 2016. I have performed some blues on various occasions with artists such as Scott Holt, Tom Lavin (Powder Blues) and the Queen of Detroit Blues, Thornetta Davis. In 2017, I was honored to be inducted in Windsor’s Musicians Hall of Fame. It was a humbling and overwhelming experience. Other highlights are making videos to support my CD release. Another highlight was seeing my album under the best local artists section at Sunrise Records in the Devonshire Mall. Another highlight is hearing my song ‘I’ve Been There’ and ‘Me Time’ on the radio. I think just the fact that I have a large following in all my musical endeavors feels pretty special. But most of all, I am playing with the finest musicians that Windsor has to offer and hanging with the greatest friends you could ever ask for.”
The technical side of his debut album is a lesson in local collaboration. Recorded at Polaris and mastered at SLR, the record features a who’s who of the 519 scene. Jeff Burrows of The Tea Party provided the percussion on the title track, while members of United Snakes and Guitar Army filled out the arrangements.
“I recorded ‘On A Mission’ at Polaris Recording Studio in Windsor, Ont.,” LaBonté repeats, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the work. “I literally got by with a little help from friends. The Formula (Chris Van Lare, Wayne Bracewell, Al Kenney, Dan Laframboise then later Kevin Gagnon) was the core band that recorded many tracks. However, I had guests from other local bands sharing their time and talent. To name a few, Jeff Burrows (The Tea Party), Mark Chichkan (United Snakes), Pete Palazzolo and Jim Bonventre (Greatest Hits Live), Dale D’Amore (Guitar Army) Jack Lehoux and Nino Maniaci (The Source), Lee Amlin (Soul Minor), Michael Hereford (British Beat 66), Jeff Leboeuf and Brian Higgins (Mr. Please) and many more friends from the community. The album running at 70 minutes, has 14 original songs with a lyric booklet inside. The album entitled ‘On A Mission’ was because it was my mission to release a CD as a bucket list item. Plus, when Jeff Burrows agreed to perform on the record I wrote the title track that week. Within two years that album was released on Earth Day April 22, 2016.”
And he is not done. He is currently back at SLR, working through a fresh batch of material. The new record promises to be a more personal affair, revamping songs that didn't fit the first time around and introducing new compositions written in the wake of his 2016 success.
“Yes currently, I am recording a new album at SLR (Sound Lab Recordings) using all new songs that I have written since 2016,” he says. “There are a few songs that did not make it on the first album, I revamped 70 % of the album with new material. I have 4 songs completed out of 12 so far. Once again, I am using the great talent that Windsor has to offer. For instance, Jeff Burrows has recorded drums on three tracks so far. There are many other musicians like Jim Kickham (The Mixx) and Mark Stevens (SPMG) that I did not use on the first album, however, I will be reaching out to them. It is equally important to me to record these personal songs, with many friends that I have in our music community.”
Behind the music, there is the reality of the midnight shift. LaBonté has been a fixture at the Windsor Assembly Plant since 1995. But he isn't just a cog in the machine; he is a trainer for Unifor 444, teaching members about labour rights, economics and human rights. He is a man who understands that the health of the arts is tied directly to the health of the working class.
“My ‘real job’ I am employed by Fiat-Chrysler at the Windsor Assembly Plant since July 1995 on the midnight shift,” he says. “However, I am working for my union Unifor 444. I am a trainer and teach programs to our members regarding the auto industry, labour and human rights, politics and the economy etc. Recently, I have been acclaimed as a member-at-large on the Unifor Local 444 Executive Board. I also teach for McMaster University Labour Studies program part time.”
This activism is not a hobby. It is a response to the city that raised him. Windsor is a border town, influenced by the radio signals and social movements crossing the Detroit River. For LaBonté, being a musician and being an activist are two sides of the same coin.
“Windsor has a rich history of social activism,” he notes. “I’ve been encouraged to be community minded and I am involved politically and socially through my union since my twenties. I always believe in helping out and will continue to participate in many charities and fundraisers as an organizer or entertainer for the events.”
The geography of the 519 area has dictated his sound. The proximity to Detroit’s legendary airwaves provided a masterclass in showmanship. He watched the greats and brought that energy back to the local clubs, even as those clubs began to disappear under the weight of economic shifts.
“Geography wise, Windsor is a great city to hear great rock music,” he says. “Being in a border town to Detroit, many great radio stations across the river have turned me on to so many great bands and artists of all time. I became a huge collector of music. There were many record stores, once upon a time. Also, Detroit and now Windsor offer many concerts to see your musical heroes. I learned a great deal about showmanship from the best in the business by deeply observing and attending these shows. Windsor is very blessed with many great musicians. I’ve had the chance to rub shoulders and break bread with many. They have helped to shape my musical career.”
His environmental work is equally fierce. As the chairperson of the Local 444 Environment Committee, he has lobbied for everything from water safety to poverty reduction. He sees the world through the lens of a father who refuse to leave a mess for his children to clean up.
“Yes, I have been involved one way or another since I was 20,” he says. “I was elected as a chairperson of Local 444 Environment Committee since 1999. I have been involved in many political elections and campaigns. I have attended many demonstrations to protect our environment, health care, labour rights, protect our sovereignty when it comes to trade deals. I think what really motivates me, is being a father of two. I want to do my part to make a better future and a better world for them. I cannot sit on the sidelines like an arm chair quarterback and watch it fall apart. I have to get on field and tackle the issues. I have to try, by getting involved. It does not matter if I win or lose, at least I know I went down swinging for my loved ones. I participate in any way I can. I saw many positive results along the way. Laws were improved both municipally, provincially and federally from lobbying on certain campaigns. There are also many issues that still need to be challenged like pollution, poverty and water safety etc. So, I won’t be quitting anytime soon. Speaking about activism, I was recognized by Essex Regional Conservation Authority and was given an Environmental Award in 2013. The Windsor District Labour Council gave me an award for my social and environmental activism in 2017. I guess there are people who appreciate what I am trying to do. That is another reason to love Windsor and the 519 area. Hard work does not go by without being noticed.”
His critique of the current state of Windsor is sharp. He links the decline of the live music scene directly to the loss of manufacturing jobs. If people don't have disposable income, the bars stay empty, and the bands stay home. It is a cycle he hopes to see broken.
“I like to see more meaningful employment return to our community and the 519 area,” he says. “We have been hit hard with NAFTA since the late 90s. Ontario lost over 800,000 manufacturing jobs. So naturally, that will affect people’s disposal income. Less money being made means less money being spent. Therefore, everyone in Ontario suffers. So, does the music community. In the early 90s, Windsor was booming with entertainment because there were so many successful venues to perform at. People in large numbers would go and support the live music scene. So, the economy dictates the success of music industry. I am truly grateful that I manage to be entertaining as often as I am with less venues to play at, like the ‘hey days’. But I am an optimist, things can improve. Maybe this new agreement with US, Mexico and Canada can restore some of those good paying jobs again.”
Ultimately, the conversation returns to the physical act of hearing. For LaBonté, the music is a muscle memory. He has trained himself to perform on autopilot when the stage volume threatens to drown out his internal pitch. It is a high-wire act that most singers wouldn't dare attempt.
“I was born hearing impaired in both ears, mainly my right ear,” he concludes. “My hearing loss is in the high frequency so naturally it has affected how I hear the human speech to some degree. The pronunciations can be greatly missed without hearing aids. I may wear those aids in a classroom or movie theater, but I do not wear them on stage because the bands I play in are loud enough. I also own decent sound gear to address my needs on stage, if my band was supplying the sound as well as the entertainment. Frankly, everywhere I perform they provide a sound engineer such as Cosmos Lounge in Caesars Windsor, they usually take care of my needs. My personal monitor will be dialed in exactly what I need to sing in key and to clearly hear the instruments. As a front man, I can move around and find my tweak spot where I can perform without compromising my pitch. Often, I am so well-rehearsed that I can go auto pilot and rely on muscle memory when I am in a situation where the vocals are being drowned out from the stage volume. When it comes to listening to music, I generally use headphones or play it fairly loud in my vehicle. As a singer, I have to double my effort to learn the lyrics, pronunciations and phrasing. There is no doubt that I have to work harder on my musical journey than some, due to my hearing disability. Fortunately, I continue to get great support and encouragement from my family, friends, fans and bandmates.
