Pat Robinson, former Arcadian– accomplished musician, songwriter, recording artist, film producer, and sketch artist – is Gene Glasco’s featured guest at his Brown Bag lunch talk – “The Beat Goes On: Arcadia’s Back Yard Bands of the Sixties,” 12 noon on Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum.
Pat Robinson
Samples of Robinson’s music and some of his exceptional artwork will be on display. Hors d’ oeuvres and refreshments will be provided.
The multi-talented Robinson created a band in the 1960s named “Fenwyck” that played “not only in Arcadia, but all over California”, says Glasco.
1960s band Fenwyck, featuring Arcadian Pat Robinson (center), at Pasadena Civic
Fenwyck’s style and four part harmony sound was known for their incredible similarity to “The Byrds,” a group that invented a whole genre of folk rock and topped the 60’s music charts with their recordings of “Mr. Tamborine Man,” “Turn, Turn, Turn” and many more.
After high school, Robinson formed a new band called “Back Pocket” and performed in the U.S. and Europe. Later, Robinson wrote and produced songs for fifteen years with Gene Clark of The Byrds, eventually forming yet another group called “CRY” (Clark, Robinson, York).
John York on 12-string guitar, Nicky Hopkins, who played with The Rolling Stones and the Beatles, on keys, Rick Danko (The Band) on bass, Michael Clarke (The Byrds) on drums, with Gene Clark and Robinson up front on guitars. (Announcement details continue below…)
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In the 80’s, Pat enjoyed a successful affiliation with Joe Cocker, writing songs that Cocker would perform both in the U.S. and abroad. Robinson’s New Orleans production company, JBond Records has recorded and produced CDs for Hall of Fame blues artists Leon Russel, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, and the Benjy Davis Project.
With Timothea, aptly named the “Siren of Soul”, he fashioned the captivating music video, “It’s Time for a Change,” filmed at the historic Columns Hotel on St. Charles Place.
Some of Fenwyck’s early recordings will be played at the Brown Bag talk, along with some newer cuts from Robinson’s CRY and Mystery Brothers CD’s. An accomplished sketch artist in his own right, some of Robinson’s work will also be on display, which, according to Eric Finzi, appraiser for the J. Paul Getty museum, is rising in value.
The popular Brown Bag Lunch talks are held the third Thursday of the month from noon until 12:30 p.m. Although some refreshments are sometimes provided on a first-come, first-served basis, you are encouraged to bring your own brown bag lunch and come and listen to a guest speaker who will present snippets about Arcadia history, people, places, and events.
Please arrive promptly, seating is limited. For more information, please call the Museum at (626) 574-5440 or visit the Arcadia Historical Museum website.
The Arcadia Historical Museum is located immediately behind the Community Center. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is always free.