Blondie Chaplin’s name squirrels and squiggles through the tapestry of rock history –sometimes peripheral, sometimes right close to the center of the story. The talented South African-born singer and multi-instrumentalist joined the Beach Boys in the early ‘70s (during Brian’s “me time”) and contributed to several albums, taking lead vocals on the Wilson/Van Dyke Parks-penned hit “Sail on, Sailor.” After leaving that group in the mid-‘70s, Chaplin went on to pair his talents with Joe Walsh, Dave Mason (two guys famous for pairing their talents), Rick Danko and many more. He has had songs recorded by Jennifer Warnes and David Johansen, among others. And, alas, he participated in the Clark/Clarke-led Byrds reunion of the ‘80s.
It seems a kind of star-crossed, right place/wrong time career pattern; but most of us would kill for it, make no mistake. Since the ‘90s, Chaplin has enjoyed a steady live gig as percussionist, acoustic rhythm guitarist and background vocalist for a cottage concern going by the name of the Rolling Stones. In his downtime, Chaplin has continued to write songs, to record albums (most recently 2006’s strong effort Between Us) and to front his own bands.
That brings us to Wednesday, October 31, on which hallowed and haunted night Chaplin brings Skollie (South African slang for a “lowlife”) to the Falcon in Marlboro. A trio of accomplished South African-born players and life-long friends from Cape Town, Skollie features Chaplin, bassist Keith Lentin and high-profile drummer Anton Fig, a member of Paul Shaeffer’s Late Night with David Letterman band and an in-demand session cat with a credit list quite as long and name-studded as Chaplin’s.
New Paltz-based blues adventurers the Jonny Monster Band opens. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. and music at 7. The Falcon is located at 1348 Route 9W in Marlboro. For more information, visit www.liveatthefalcon.com.
Join the family! 
