About Me
Rick was born in Providence, R.I. grew up in Connecticut & started piano lessons at age 8. Was self taught on guitar at age 12, taking occasional lessons but mostly sitting in front of the stereo for hours developing his ear training. He started going to rock concerts at the early age of 12 & saw the WHO, Hendrix & the Doors in the late 60's. Moving to San Diego in 1969, Rick found himself surrounded by talented musicians like bassist Bob Magnusson(Sarah Vaughn), guitarist Peter Sprague & pianist Barnaby Finch(George Benson, Lee Ritenour) and was soon keeping busy playing bass & keyboards in country & western, top 40, disco, & rock bands & one of San Diegos 1st jazz fusion bands. Moving to L.A. in 1980's to further pursue his carreer led Rick into the heavy metal scene, with WARRIOR being the band that got the record deal with Virgin/MCA, and in 1985 Warrior released "Fighting for the Earth". The band had a semi-successful career, opening up for Iron Maiden,Black Sabbath, etc. A busy year for Rick, he also trained & got his 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Unfortunate problems with band members & poor management sent Rick back to school & he got his RN degree in late 80's & has been working with psychiatric patients, most recently at the Veteran's Administration in Brentwood, near where he also resides. In 2001, Rick hooked up with 7-string bass virtuoso Bob Fazio, & embarked on a serious 3 1/2 year study on both bass and keyboards, elevating his playing to a new level. He plays a Peavey Cirrus 6-string bass like his idol Brian Bromberg, & has an Accu/Groove cabinet powered by Mesa Boogie 400 watt amplifier. Throughout his career, Rick has been an exercise fanatic & never varies within a few pounds from his HS weight. He got a 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do in the mid 80's & keeps in shape with mixed martial arts, weights, biking & hiking, 4th street stairs, yoga & boxing workouts, as well as leading movement therapy groups at the VA. He has travelled all over the world, is an excellent cook, single & very close with his family.
