Rikki Rocket with one of his beloved guitars.
Jerry Roys on Fb, 6/28/16: Last night we lost a local guitar hero, hell a guitar hero period, Rick, “Rocket” Rivero. Over the years I did some “Spare Parts,” pick up gigs with Rocket. He always made it interesting. He would call out a song, usually one I didn’t know, and just start playing. He didn’t call out the key, so it was put on my big ears and eyes, and hold on. He would look over at me at some point in the song and give me that Rocket smile, as if to assure me I had it. I’ll miss that, and I’ll miss him. I’ll see you when I get there Rick, and I’m sure you’ll still be making it interesting.
Andy Lewis: He was so much fun to play with. And such a Beatles fanatic!
He used to do this thing at the end of, as I recall, “Heatwave,” where he would play all the guitar solos at the end of Abby Road (you know the part where John, Paul, and George alternate). He had them all down cold. The first time I heard it I wasn’t playing with him, just listening, and I think I was the only person in the joint who caught it. He really appreciated that somebody noticed, and it’s a great memory.
He was so sweet and funny and nice.
Michael Hornbuckle: Yes, what you said. When our dad got sick and couldn’t play anymore Ricky picked me up and threw me spare parts gigs too. Having someone that you respect believe in you, especially at a young age is huge. And yes, the smile could make ya believe in yourself with just that alone. Nice words Jerry, thank you
Gene Sirokman: Woke up with a heavy heart, and I don’t think a joke would be appropriate today. RIP my brother Rocket…
Scooter Barnes: … I just ran across this again today but this time I am moved to tears and huge emotion as I think of the passing of my friend Ricky Rocket last night, Prince and of course this was a tribute to George Harrison. Live life to the fullest my friends as it is a short ride with no guarantees
Stan Monroe: Goodbye Ricky Rocket. You were bad ass. You were a rock star. I do not expect to ever see you again, but the times we shared were the best. And I will remember those times until the end. Love you, Richard Rivero.
* * * * *
Remembering Ralph Stanley
The music world has lost a giant. One of the last first-generation bluegrass pioneers, Dr. Ralph Stanley, has passed away. Though he was well known, and loved, within the bluegrass music community, his influence extended far beyond, into country, old-time, and the Americana scene – thanks to his contributions to the soundtrack to the film Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? His songs – originals, and songs that he made his own – are standards of bluegrass music. Ralph Stanley’s distinctive banjo style is immediately recognizable, as familiar as a Jerry Garcia guitar phrase, or Miles Davis’s horn. His playing hewed close to the traditional mountain music he performed for many, many years, but he was also heard on record dueting with the likes of Dwight Yoakum, Patty Loveless, Bob Dylan, and Emmylou Harris.
Colorado’s David Glasser (Airshow Mastering) has had the privilege of mastering dozens of Ralph Stanley’s records – new releases, archival material, and compilations – and Randy LeRoy handled mastering duties for Ralph Stanley & Friends’ Clinch Mountain Country double CD. These great recordings and their influence on countless younger musicians prove Ralph Stanley’s enduring legacy as one of the great players of American music.
* * * * *
Other Notable Musicians’ Deaths…
June 2016
29: Inocente Carreño, 96, Venezuelan composer; Vasyl Slipak, Ukrainian opera singer, shot; Rob Wasserman, 63-64, American musician (RatDog).
28: Scotty Moore, 84, American guitarist (Elvis Presley).
27: Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, 83, Danish composer, cancer; Mack Rice, 82, American songwriter (“Mustang Sally”, “Respect Yourself”) and singer, complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
26: Sergei Cortez, 81, Chilean-born Belarusian composer; Mike Pedicin, 98, American jazz bandleader.
25: Maurice G. Dantec, 57, French science fiction writer and musician; Edoardo Muller, 78, Italian conductor (San Diego Opera).
24: Charles Chaynes, 90, French composer; Bernie Worrell, 72, American musician (Parliament-Funkadelic), lung cancer.
23: Shelley Moore, 84, British-born American jazz singer; Ralph Stanley, 89, American bluegrass musician (The Stanley Brothers), Grammy winner (2002), skin cancer.
22: Jim Boyd, 60, American singer-songwriter; Leo Brennan, 90, Irish musician, founder of Leo’s Tavern; Steve French, 56, American gospel singer (Kingdom Heirs); Bill Ham, 79, American band manager (ZZ Top); Harry Rabinowitz, 100, British music composer (Reilly, Ace of Spies) and conductor (Chariots of Fire, Cats); Amjad Sabri, 45, Pakistani qawwali singer, shot.
21: Guda Anjaiah, 60, Indian poet, singer and lyricist; Wayne Jackson, 74, American musician (The Mar-Keys, The Memphis Horns), heart failure; Pierre Lalonde, 75, Canadian singer and television host; Freddy Powers, 84, American musician, Parkinson’s disease.
20: Chayito Valdez, 71, Mexican-born American folk singer and actress, complications from a cerebral hemorrhage.