by G. Jack Urso
Hot Hero Band
members Richie Annunizato and Mike Ratti have shared with the project behind-the-scenes photographs of the
band rehearsing at the legendary RPM Studios, 12 East 12th Street, in
New York City which operated from 1976-2004 under the auspices of the equally
legendary Bob Mason. These pictures were likely taken somewhere between the late spring and late summer 1979 (see below).
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| RPM Studios, 12 East 12th Street, New York
City, 1976-2004. |
In these photos
we can see members of the band (Richie Annunziato, guitar; Robert Brissette, bass; Mark Cunningham, guitar; Mike Ratti, drums) along with Musical Director Felix Pappalardi
(bassist, Mountain; producer, Cream). Sound Engineer Ed Stasium
(producer, The Ramones) was also present during the RPM sessions. The band,
Pappalardi, and Stasium also recorded at Mediasound on West 57th Street where Music
Coordinator Jimmy Biondolillo might stop by as well. Rehearsals started in the afternoons and
would go on to the early morning hours. There were daily deadlines and it was not
uncommon for takes from the sessions to be required for the next day.
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| Left to right, Felix Pappalardi, music director; Richie Annunziato, guitar (photo credit, Richie Annunziato). |
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| Mike Ratti, drums (photo credit, Mike Ratti). |
(photo credit, Richie Annunziato).
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