Tribute To The Late Rock Ferrante, Jr. Among The Greatest Hammond B3 Artist Ever
By Vince Seneri-November 9, 2023: It is with a heavy and sad heart that I am announcing the loss of my best friend, Rocco Ferrante. He was more than just a friend. I called him my brother, as well. He passed through heavens gates on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 9AM at Morristown Hospital after a short and courageous battle with liver cancer. He was a kind and a gentle soul, a wonderful son, father, grandfather, husband and friend. He was an extremely talented musician (piano, organ, keyboards, trumpet, vocals) and truly one of the best Hammond B3 organists ever, especially in the late 1970’s. I thought it would be a great tribute to share his musical background and his genius with the world since he was always so humble about it. So here are some great things below to read about Rocco Ferrante. AKA Rock Ferrante, Jr. Also, below are a few of his recordings.
World-class Hammond B3 organist
Rocco Ferrante AKA Rock Ferrante Jr. (Born May 10,1956-died November 8, 2023)
Rock Ferrante, Jr. 1970's
Hammond Organ Company
Endorsed B3 Organ Artist
He may not be the most well known Hammond B3 player of all time but he was one of the greatest masters of the instrument to ever play it. Rock was a young American musician and child prodigy with amazing virtuosity on keyboards, which included piano, synthesizers and especially the Hammond B3 organ. He was also a magnificent trumpeter.
He began his professional music career with a union card at the age of 12 years old. In the 1970’s, he was building an exceptional international reputation as the best new up and coming young star on the Hammond B3 organ.
In 1972, he was the youngest person to ever win in the Pro-Division of the Yamaha Electone International Grand Prix Concour (Nemo-no-Sato, Japan) international organ competition. He was just 16 years old.
Rock Ferrante was acknowledged as the youngest and best pop-jazz organist on the international music scene at that time and was judged by artists such as the Hammond B3 King himself, Jimmy Smith, as well as Sarah Vaughan, John Green, David Clayton Thomas, and Claire Fisher.
Here is Rock behind the his keyboard set up live in concert and with his Yamaha EX-42 organ.
Rock Ferrante, Jr. 1970's
Yamaha Endorsed Keyboard Artist
He was also highly respected and recognized by the Hammond Organ Company during that period of time for his amazing technique on the B3 organ and was subsequently signed to an exclusive artist deal by Hammond. He became their number 1 young new artist and received a beautiful black ebony classic 70’s Hammond B3 organ with two-122 Leslie speakers. Hammond also signed him to an exclusive recording contract for the company.
Here is Rock live in concert behind his black ebony Hammond B3 organ & 2-122 Leslie speaker cabinets, also playing his trumpet.
Rock Ferrante, Jr. 1970's
Hammond Organ Company
Endorsed B3 Organ Artist
In 1979, Rock Ferrante, Jr. delivered a scorcher of a B3 organ release entitled, “Rock Ferrante - The First Time”. After 44 years since its release, you can still purchase this recording at discogs.com.
1979 Release By World-Class B3 Organist-Rock Ferrante, Jr., & On Drums The Astonishing Nicky Montemurro.
Click On Link To Hear Rock's Track-Rocco Ferrante Sweet Georgia Brown
Throughout the 1970’s, Rock continued his music career by performing internationally on the Hammond B3 organ in nightclubs, concerts and music clinics and with gospel artists such as Jessy Dixon and the Chicago Community Choir.
He continued performing with many other great artists like Captain and Tennille National TV Show along with Steve Allen’s National TV events. He made appearance on the Mike Douglas show. Rock was even invited to perform for President Gerald Ford at the 1976 Bi-Centennial Ball in Washington, D.C.
As time went on, Rock continued performing and eventually went into a conventional business career where he was offered exceptional business opportunities with Panasonic/Technics Musical Instruments Division and than later with Yamaha Music Corporation.
Eventually he retired from the corporate life and started working on personal music products, but his real love was spending time with his family and especially his grandson.
Sadly, on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 9AM he passed through heavens gates at Morristown Hospital after a short and courageous battle with liver cancer. What the world should know about Rock Ferrante in addition to his great talents, was that he was truly a kind and a humble gentle soul, a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Even though Rock Ferrante faded from the music scene after the late 70's. What the Hammond Organ Company had was the youngest and most talented Hammond B3 artist during that time period and that 70's legend Hammond artist was Rock Ferrante, Jr.