OBIT: Paulie Rocco

March 24, 2009 at 3:26pm

Paulie Rocco was guitarzan, a git-tar slingin' wildman from the jungles of upstate New York. He was the fire in the Firebird and played like no one I've ever heard. He was rock 'n' roll's banshee wail, but most of all he was my friend. We shared laughs, shed tears, shook our money makers, shattered eardrums, shot the moon, and played the blues. I will miss him unbelievably.

Rocco and I played our last show together on earth March 7, 2009, at The German House warming up the stage for Rocco's hero, Johnny Winter, before a crowd of about 800. As The White Devils we usually played sitting down, but we hit the first chord and Rocco was out of his seat like he'd been fired from a cannon. He was absolutely on fire, working from the very edge of the stage, his copper pipe slide notes slithering and sailing about the joint as he prowled the stage with that big Cheshire grin. He mesmerized the crowd with his playing and his flexible antics. I swear he was double jointed everywhere. We ended the set with a mass of feedback and mayhem after finishing a new tune called "Life And Times." And that show --- that last show ---� pretty much summed up the life and times of Paulie Rocco; a man who lived loud and played loud, a man who lived hard and played hard, a man who was a gentleman and a gentle man who lived and breathed music.

Despite Rocco's boundless energy and unparalleled talent, he was haunted by a dark side. Rocco struggled with depression. Music was his only salvation from this affliction. He was an extremely proud man and frequently resisted help. But when it came to encouraging or helping others, refusing him was out of the question.

When Parkinson's disease threatened to take my guitar from me, Rocco knew music was my only salvation as well. He was there showing me new, easier tunings and seeing through my fa�ade of acceptance. He knew I had to keep playing and he kept the band going when I despaired. I did the same for him. Playing with Rocco is the best thing I've ever done musically.

Everything had song potential. Rocco and I wrote songs from everyday experiences, especially things we'd say or pick up in random everyday conversations. While teasing me about whether or not my wife-to-be would say yes or no at our wedding, we wrote "My Maybe." "Hollywood" came together after we equated writing your name in the dirt of a car's rear window as a poor man's version of putting your hand's in cement along the walk of fame.

The day Rocco died, I had minor surgery on my eye. As I sat on the edge of my bed that night with my guitar, tears mixed with blood rolled down my face. The light bulb went off in my head and I got excited before I realized that I was going to have to write "Bloody Tears" by myself now.

Rocco left this world a better place, and me a better, albeit brokenhearted, man.

Comments for "OBIT: Paulie Rocco" (11)

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Rick said on Mar. 25, 2009 at 9:42am

Thanks for the terrific tribute. Paul was a lifetime friend who's companionship will be sorely missed. Paul's depression (along with other symptons such as frequent headaches, tinitus, nausea and short term memory loss) resulted for post-concussion syndrome from a work-related accident about 15 years ago. Watching Paul on stage, no one would know what he was battling on a daily basis. He is too soon gone, but we're lucky for the time we had.

Jennifer Fish said on Mar. 25, 2009 at 12:32pm

This brought me to tears Frank, you have done a wonderful job giving tribute to your "friend", your "brother" . Paulie was one of the nicest people Heather and I ever met when we moved to "the big city" The White Devils was one of my local favs and it wont be the same without him he will always be remembered by me and many others for the gift he gave to us, again Frank I am so sorry for your loss I know how much you two meant to each other.

ERIC KATERLE said on Mar. 25, 2009 at 2:51pm

This is a beautiful tribute to Paulie Rocco. Thank You Frank... The first time that I saw Paulie Rocco play was was when i was 15 years old at Backstreets in the late 80's. He was a guitar god then and he'll always remain a real guitar hero to me... -peace

Lisa said on Mar. 25, 2009 at 7:02pm

I saw your last show together on earth and it rocked...buzzed about it for days. I was so thrilled that the local boys gave such a perfect and exciting opening for Mr. Winter. Bravo!

Denis Jones said on Mar. 26, 2009 at 11:29am

Frank; I am sorry about your loss (and Rochester's Loss). I never met Paulie but I saw him in action six or seven times including the JW show. It is unbelievable the amount of grief and sadness in our lives. I'm thinking that all we can do is celebrate our heros, keep their names on our lips and in our memories. Let us all continue to fight our battles armed only with our guitars and never forget our fallen comrads.

JJG said on Mar. 26, 2009 at 1:31pm

Up until todays "After Dark" column in the Weekender I had been trying to find out who this band was since the JW concert. I was blown away by the 40 min set they did of wall to wall rock and roll. Unfortunately I found out about the White Devils too late. As I read your tribute I came to "that big Cheshire grim" and it struck me as a perfect description of what I had seen that night. Truly amazing!

I am sorry for yours and all of ours loss.

Lisa Inzana said on Mar. 26, 2009 at 1:56pm

Frank...your words have touched my heart. Paulie was an amazing guitarist. He was trully mesmerizing, I loved to watch him play. As you know I am very sorry you have lost such a friend. I have lost many through the years as well, so I know how your heart is aching. You have Paulie in your soul, and he will remain there as long as you need him. I pray that your heart heals soon.
Love you always.

Stan Merrell said on Mar. 26, 2009 at 3:09pm

Frank, your story brought it home; our musical brothers are like near and dear members of our family. When we lose one it is especially sad and painful.
We've lost some heavy brothers out there, man; Paulie was one of the heaviest. A great tribute to someone that many will miss greatly.

Jonah Washnis said on Mar. 27, 2009 at 4:10am

Definitely a Fitting Tribute, Frank! Paulie & I were Really Good Friends for years, & I did several "Bad Dog Blues" & Rochester Sessions" shows on W.I.T.R with him. I've been playin' Harp for over 3 Decades & Paulie Always brought out the best in Me! I was working with him years ago, (Which is Where we met), when he had that Accident at work that caused him that head injury, which ultimately led to his bouts with depression, &, just by chance, had called a Mutual friend, & Bass Player, "Snappy" down in Houston to wish HIM a Happy Birthday, little knowing that Paulie had traveled down there for a visit leading to a Dangerous & Fatelful Ending. I'd just like to say that he was the Best Guitar Player that I ever knew, "&" My Pal. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to get to know him & Jam with him, & will Always remember the last time that we spoke, which was HIS Birthday, on January 21st. If anybody decides to do a Charity show in his & his Family's behalf, let Me know, & count Me IN! Rest In Peace, Brother Paulie!

Tom Schippers said on Mar. 28, 2009 at 2:06pm

A truly gifted individual. A natural. Anyone who played with him could tell you that!
This cat could play absolutely anything you laid on him.In addition to his stints with the
Chesterfield Kings and the White Devils, he also guested on numerous local re-
cordings, including the Grinders. This guy was like Mick Taylor, Keith Richards, and
Mick Ronson all rolled into one. His untimely passage makes it possible for him
to compare musical chops with some of the other greats who are no longer of this
earth. Peace to Paulie, his family, and many friends......................................................

Pauls PieeeeZon Scott Trupo said on Apr. 15, 2009 at 10:29pm

My take on it all !!!! I knew the before and the after Rocc . We as people have 2 sides Love And Hate most are capable of keeping the love control turned-up a bit more But Pauls buttons after the head trama were both set on full BLAST . He loved and hated the same person in the same day . He loved and hated music in the same day . He loved and hated to perform in the same show . His body loved and hated to move when he played . He just was stuck on WIDE OPEN . Aint nobody ever going to pull that one off again aint no music ever going to replace it either . ONly sounds that ever blistard my soul with permanent scars Came from Pauls Guitar .

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