THE IMPERIAL FLAMES

CURRENT BAND MEMBERS

Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames, an authentic blues band, high energy with versatile talent, variety, and a cohesive show that includes original driving blues, rock blues, boogie, R&B and Soul. The originals are classic in nature, the standards are revitalized with striking three part vocal harmony, three vocal stylists, Passionate slide guitarist, Dave Weld schooled from Grammy Winning Master J.B. Hutto, along with blues diva and two time Rami winner Mona Rose (Monica Myhre) on Lead Vocals, Powerhouse on Keys, Harry YaSeen, Red Hot, Rogers Randle on Sax, a Rock Tight Rhythm Section Jeff Taylor on Drums with a Creamy Vocals and Blazing on Bass, Kenny Pickens.

Monica Myhre (Mona Rose)

VOCALS/MUSICIAN/SONGWRITER/

PRODUCER

The first female addition to The Imperial Flames, completing the band package with diva blues and harmony.

Two time Rami winner, born in Ottawa, IL , child prodigy singer. Performing at the Hidalgo Club in Rockford, IL from the age of five, backing up stars from Mexico, and fronting local jazz musicians. Vocal training throughout her life through school, family, professional training and church, which led her to numerous music genres from Spanish, R&B, Funk, Rock, Country and Blues. Her vocal training was strongly developed through her church choir and the neighborhood baptist church singing with their choir.  Her main blues influence was meeting Etta James at a young age, which brought her a stronger interest in the blues and stage presents. She became the first female Vice President of the Crossroads Blues Society,  co-founder of the first Blues in The Schools program in Rockford, Illinois. 

After a serious auto accident, she met  Dave Weld and his band, became friends, a band member and  much more. As the first female Imperial Flame, she became a co-writer with Dave Weld on all three of his Delmark releases, along with her own originals, on the "Burnin Love", "Slip Into A Dream" albums and recently released this 2022 album "Nightwalk".  She is well known for her (spanish crossover songs)  "Sweet Love" and Donde Vas) .

Jeffery Taylor

DRUMMER/VOCALS

Born in 1960 in Chicago, IL. They say he came out singing. At 11 he joined the "Little Angels" group to sing and after that he sang and played drums for Top Hat, vouching for Jeff to get into clubs at a young age, working South and West side of Chicago, including The Sabre Room, where Jeff met and played with Dizzy Gilespie, Cab Caloway, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Count Basie and Tony Bennet. He then freelanced starting with Smilin Bobby, Tyrone Davis, the Dells, the Chilites, Lonnie Brooks, AC Reed, Eddy Clearwater, Artie White, Junior Wells, and more. Longtime band member only leaving at one time for three years with the Rythm and Blues Kings then back with Dave presently for 20 years. Jeff also contributed songs on both albums with Delmark "I Got Mad" and Dorthy Mae".

Harry YaSeen

PIANO/ORGAN/SINGER

One of the original members of Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames.  Studied piano under Art Hodes from a young age of seven. Played countless Chicago blues venues since the 80's.

Grewup in Beverly and lived in Chicago, Illinois all of his life.


Kenny Pickens

BASS GUITAR

Starting playing bass as a young boy.  Well known for his vocal harmony in several bands and a well known bass guitar player all through Chicago. Original bass player from the Junior Wells and Buddy Guy band, Eddie Clearwater, Maurice John Vaughn and many more....

          Rogers Randle Jr.

ALTO/BARRITONE SAXOPHONE

Born and raised in Mississippi attended Alcorn State University where he studied  Music Education/Music Performance also· Lorman, Mississippi Gateway Technical College - Gestão Emresarial e Marketing and Kenosha UW Parkside. Well known for his red hot licks and smooth Alto sound.

Joseph Fanelli

BASS GUITAR

Started playing guitar as a young boy the switched over to bass.  Associates Degree in music from Triton College, majored in voice, minored in bass and piano. Played in various brass bands in Chicago area, notably Hip Pock17