family is like a universe

(read at Richard Russo's memorial service by his daughter, Jennifer and his grandson, Jason)

family is like a universe

they are centered around my whole world

my parents are like the sun

they light up my day

my grandparents are like the moon

they keep me safe at night 

and when the sun isn't around

they are there for me

my aunts and uncles are the planets

they surround my world with love and care

my sisters are like the northern lights 

their beauty is beyond compare

my cousins are like asteroids

they always stay near me

to be by my side when i'm in trouble

or if i need help

the rest of my family are all stars

always in my atmosphere no matter what

-poem by Jason Richard Bellissimo Jr.

Gun...Son of a Gun

(Photo of Richard Russo.)

The phone rings and you awake...........I'm going to be late to class

for f---ing sake.

Another order, another sale?................I have a test, am I going to fail?

You drink your juice then start
the brown beast up ...............................A last review of my notes as

I fill my coffee cup.

Off to the road in the beast
headed west..............................................Over the hill I run in the cold,

to my test.

Pulling up to the store hoping
the money's all there..............................I studied so hard, I hope this

test is fair.

He decides not to buy so you
push a little harder.
Again, his refusal so you
decide to barter.....................................The test seems so unclear, a cold

sweat comes over me.
I decide to take questions one by one,
working diligently.

He agrees to your suggestions
and you trade him for something
better.....................................................Thoughts are now flowing clearly

and I'm writing as I would a letter.

Through your persistence and
aggression, the sale is a success............By the bestowal you've given me,

I kick ass on the test.

You finally finish your long
day and begin to head home................Dad, I wrote this poem so you

won't feel you're working alone.

-poem by Nicholas Russo (written during college days)

Mike's Thoughts for Rich

Rich is on the left in an album photo of MSQ.

Rich Russo was all about sharing his life experience. He embraced the magic and mystery of life and brought what he found in his own life to those around him. Whether it was a Ray Charles soulful moan or a precision Stevie Ray Vaughn guitar lick, Rich shared the music, the feelings, the laughter and his experiences. He also brought his great musical talent to task and had a long career as a songwriter, performer, teacher, manager and a big player in many aspects of the musical instrument industry. From his roots in the outskirts of New York City, his first band, the Ebbtones, found success early on through continuous performance in the local venues like the White Brick Inn and through recordings such as the well known Charlena. His music evolved from the late 50’s early Rock and Roll, singing groups and standards, influenced for example, by Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and the Platters, into various flavors of early 60’s US rock scene including soul, blues and jazz. During this time, the group broadened its repertoire and changed into the MSQ. Soon after the British invasion, the rock music scene in New York became more introspective as the musicians and artists realized that they were in the midst of social upheaval. The MSQ gave way to the innovative and unique show band the Scarecrow. It was here that Rich fulfilled his greatest artistry and the group worked on original music recorded but unreleased by Columbia Records.

The Scarecrow wore white and black face makeup, not as a cheap gimmick, but to illustrate the various faces that comprise our society. In the show, with the music raging, the white and black faced characters would square off in a mock battle. Each thrust of the “good” guitarist would be met by the metallic crash of the “bad” Brock. The musical sparks would shriek and scream as the metal on metal battle raged on. With the defeat of the “bad” Brock, the good guitarist would slowly recover his strength with the increasing sense of glory reflected in growing intensity of the triumphant solo. The defeated Brock would wither away as justice was served. The symbolism was clear: there is a need for basic human rights for all humanity and the need for justice to prevail in this battle was cause for celebration but it would not occur without pain and suffering. The idea was novel for the 60’s, but still remains true that we must all be vigilant to achieve justice. The quality and originality of the group was captured in the Columbia album and can be heard in such titles as Here I Stand and MLK (both written by Rich – MLK = Martin Luther King). The intensity that he was able to bring to his performances is evident in his version of the chuck Berry tune “You Can’t Catch Me”. Here his driving bass provided the backbone for his fiery vocal in this powerhouse of a tune that captures much of the live “stage” feel of the Scarecrow.

After the Scarecrow, Rich played with various musicians (Cold Spring Harbor) with the focus shifting to recording and other projects. His sound engineering and performance skills continue to shine as exemplified by tunes such as I’m a King Bee (Rich on Bass, vocal by the late John Lipinsky) and many others that remain unpublished.

Although I could say a great deal more about the life and music of Rich Russo, let me end by saying that his energy, passion and love will be missed by all that knew him.

Loving brother Mike

Buddy Holly (Ebbtones Photo)

Last night I watched the Buddy Holly Story and I was thinking about how Rich would have given us the low-down on which parts were true and which parts were Hollywood inventions. Instead, I did a little research online. What a sad ending to the story - the plane crash he died in and his wife's subsequent miscarriage, and what an amazing, though short career! I didn't really grow up listening to 50s music, but I love discovering the history of how music led to artists challenging segregation. Buddy Holly was the first white artist to play at the Apollo, and although it took a few days, he was eventually accepted. Rich talked about his experiences on tour, how hard it was to avoid segregation. We've come a long way!
Rich is on the left, playing the bass. The band is the Ebbtones.

His Hands - Memorial Card Poem

This photo is Nick, Rich, and Jen with the mic... down in the basement doing a family recording.


His Hands

Strong hands, rough and thick -
I loved watching them work, fixing a wire, a tape, a dream
So quickly taking old things and making them new
For me, you, his world. Even now, I see them working
Like the wind or hummingbird wings, but stronger, and scraped up - those hands
Handing us a gift, his handmade “I love you.”
And while his hands glued together the broken bits of each day
His stories would thrill us with the danger and sweetness
Of the history of the blues, the music he loved and lived.
-by Betina Hershey Russo

To our beloved Husband, Father, Poppy, Uncle, Brother & Faithful Friend
Richard Russo
(February 7, 1944 - November 13, 2009)

Rich Russo & young son

I love this photo of Nick playing with his Dad down in the basement where they recorded many albums. Nick loves to say that he recorded drums and guitar on some recordings as early as age 7. He also says that they had home recording equipment and video cameras long before anyone else they knew, so everyone would come over and use their equipment.

Scarecrow Band Photo

Photo: Rich is on the right. The marks on his cheeks are "N" for Nancy, and the mirror image of "N." The band is Scarecrow.




Dear Family & Friends,
I found some photos of Rich that I wanted to share with everyone. He had his first hit single, Hold Back the Sun, (a top hit in California) at age 13. He then played jazz with the Ebbtones, R&B with MSQ (Modern Soul Quartet), his original music with the band Scarecrow in the late 60's, and rock & blues with Cold Spring Harbor. Scarecrow opened for many well known artists including Sly and the Family Stone. Rich also played in back-up bands for such artists as Chuck Berry. When he started his family, Rich continued to record and perform music with Cold Spring Harbor. Members of the group included his brother Mike and Nancy's brother John. He also recorded with his wife Nancy and her brothers Walter and Tom. These recordings include his son Nick on drums and guitar at age 7 and his daughter Jen singing at age 5. I love these photos of Rich in his bands. Rich, we'll keep playing music for you!
Love, Betina (& my sweet husband Nick)