Pat Rizzo
Pat Rizzo is an American saxophonist and flautist, best known for his work with funk band Sly and the Family Stone.
Career[edit]
Rizzo started performing in the sixties with The Cufflinks. He is best known for his work as saxophonist and flautist with funk band Sly and the Family Stone[1] He was intended as a replacement for founding member Jerry Martini, who got into trouble with Sly Stone and his accountants for inquiring about money rightfully due him, but both Martini and Rizzo remained in the band and became good friends. He later replaced Charles Miller in War. During this period he also performed with Tito Puente and Frank Sinatra.
Rizzo appeared on Ry Cooder‘s 1976 album Chicken Skin Music,[2] 1977 live album Show Time and his 1978 album Jazz [3] and he accompanied Cooder on his 1977 tour of Europe.[4]
Compositions[edit]
Rizzo is the credited as composer for the Sly and the Family Stone song, “Ha Ha Hee Hee”. During the recording sessions for the bands’ Small Talk album, Rizzo co-wrote the song with Jerry Martini.[5]
Personal life[edit]
Rizzo was married to Kelli J Ball (Mickeliunas), an international fashion model. The couple divorced.[citation needed] He passed away on April 16th, 2021.
References[edit]
- ^ Santiago, Eddie (2008-02-17). Sly: The Lives of Sylvester Stewart and Sly Stone. Eddie Santiago. pp. 177–. ISBN 978-1-4357-0987-4. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ “Ry Cooder – Chicken Skin Music”. Discogs. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ “Ry Cooder – Jazz”. Discogs. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ Marsch, Michael. “Rockpalast Archiv – Ry Cooder 1977”. www.rockpalastarchiv.de. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ Sly: The Lives of Sylvester Stewart and Sly Stone By Eddie Santiago Page 177
External links[edit]
