Inductee Ceremony Inductees

Donald Shrimpton 2021 Legacy

1938-2020 Donald Shrimpton, a Niagara Falls New York native, was a musician, vocal music teacher and music director for over 50 years. He began playing piano at the age of four. While growing up in the fifties, he studied piano with Livingston Gearhart, Ned Rorem,...

Greg ‘Bubba’ Rinker 2021 Legacy

1972-2018 Greg Rinker; known as ‘Bubba’, was born in Lewiston New York and was a lifetime resident of Niagara County. For over 25 years, he was an extraordinary soundman on the Western New York music scene. From 1996 until his untimely passing in 2018, Bubba was the...

James ‘Pappy’ Martin 2021 Legacy

1933-2015 James, popularly known as Pappy, was a legendary jazz musician, bandleader and community organizer. Born in Ashville, North Carolina and raised in Niagara Falls New York, he began his love of music as a trumpet player, later changing to upright bass. As a...

William ‘Pete’ Hankinson 2021 Legacy

1941-2021 Pete, a native of North Tonawanda, New York had a wonderfully successful and varied musical career, in spite of being told at a very young age by one of his music teachers that he wouldn’t amount to anything. He picked up a guitar that was sitting on his...

Harrietta A, ‘Hank’ Hamam 2021 Legacy

1928-1990 Harrietta, popularly known as ‘Hank’ was an admired jazz vocalist for over forty years. Born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York, she began her singing career as a member of the glee club at St. Mary’s High School, where she studied music and phrasing...

Alred DiRocco 2021 Legacy

1912-1989 Alfred, a Niagara Falls New York native, at the age of five began violin lessons, changing to piano the same year, taking lessons from his grandfather Maestro Giuseppi Russo. He later came under the tutelage of Dr. Edward D’Anna, a prominent local musician...

Thomas Proctor 2020 Sam Morreale Music Award

Tom Proctor, who is a native of Niagara Falls New York has been playing guitar for over 33 years. For the past 15 years, he has performed throughout Western New York as a solo act and with acoustic groups in clubs, festivals, special ceremonies and national sporting...

Thomas Nelson 2020

With over 50 years of musical experience, Thomas Nelson is a bassist and vocalist currently located in the Niagara Region of Ontario Canada. He has performed in clubs, concert halls and festivals across Canada, Europe and the United States, and has appeared on many...

Marsha McWilson 2020

Marsha is a talented singer, recording artist, actress and entrepreneur from Niagara Falls, New York. She attended local schools and was listed in the 1984 book, ‘Who’s Who in America’. As a singer, Marsha has performed in many venues from clubs, churches, concerts,...

Seven Day Faith 2020

Seven Day Faith began in the 1980’s when Rob Bilson (vocals & guitar) and John Rosini (guitar) met at LaSalle Middle School in Niagara Falls New York. As they entered high school, they jammed together on their guitars, started writing songs, and soon the energy...

Thom Rotella 2020

hom Rotella, born in Niagara Falls New York, started playing his grandfather’s guitar for fun when he was six years old and began serious lessons at the age of ten. During his teen years, he played in rock-n-roll bands with fellow local musicians at dances, clubs and...

Michael Hatalak 2020

Mike Hatalak, a native of Niagara Falls New York, is a producer, engineer, composer, singer, guitarist specializing in hard rock and heavy metal genres. Since he was a child he has been playing guitar and as a teenager started playing in various Western New York...

D’amico Music 2020

D’Amico Music has been a pillar business in the Niagara Falls community since 1972. Jerry D’Amico opened the first store on Pine Avenue and 19th Street which became the largest musical equipment store in the Niagara region, servicing local, national and international...

Charles Chiarenza 2020

Charlie was born April 13 1930 in Niagara Falls, New York. At a young age, he learned to play the guitar, studied under local musicians Vince Brundo and Pete Cicero, and later also became a guitar teacher. He also played the mandolin, banjo and other string...

Al giambattista 2019 Sam Morreale Muisc Award

Albert Giambattista, born in 1928, is a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls NY. Al played the saxophone for over 70 years throughout Western New York starting in the Gaskill Junior High School Band, then Trott High School Band followed by the Niagara Falls Concert Band...

John Marasco 2019 Legacy

John Marasco was a left-handed guitar player born in Niagara Falls, NY, who had a love of music at an early age, being surrounded by manymusical family members. He began taking his first guitar lessons at the age of eight from Peter Cicero and continued studying music...

Ralph Fava 2019 Legacy

Ralph Fava, a 1981 graduate of Berklee College of Music, dedicated his life to music with joyful enthusiasm. His great love for music and love of family brought him back to Western New York in 1985. He and his wife, Kathleen settled in Lockport and soon after founded...

Bob Volkman 2019

Bob Volkman has been performing with various musical entities in and beyond Western New York since the 1970’s, and has participated in many projects as a studio musician at Select Sound Studios in Buffalo, as well as several other area recording facilities. He...

Nino Tempo 2019

Nino was born in Niagara Falls New York with the given name Antonio (Anthony) LoTempio. He was a musical prodigy, singing and dancing in recitals at age three and winning a national radio talent show at age four. A few years later, he took up the clarinet, inspired to...

Ed Supple 2019

Ed Supple has been playing the guitar publicly & privately since 1965. In the 70's he was a member of the groups Backstreet, Street Noise, Avalanche & Lunch to name a few. Over the years he has performed with many bands, as a solo performer, and as a featured...

April Stevens 2019

Caroline LoTempio (stage name April Stevens) was recognized at a very young age as an extremely talented singer in her hometown of Niagara Falls New York. With her brother Antonio (Anthony/stage name Nino Tempo), they started out when they were young children singing...

STEMM 2019

STEMM is an American metal band from Niagara Falls, New York formed in 1998. Within four months, their first album sold over 600 copies & their first concert was opening for major label recording group Sevendust. STEMM was soon endorsed by ESP Guitars, Dream...

Bobby Previt 2019

Bobby Previte began his life onstage at the 1956 Niagara Falls Talent Show, belting out a solo rendition of Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog’ while draped in an over-sized suit thinking music might be a good way to meet girls, he fashioned a drum set from a rusted garbage...

Mary Nero 2019

It's hard to believe that I've lived over six decades since the time I first stepped onto a stage to sing my first solo at the annual Mt.Carmel talent show in the late 50's. I was about 5 or 6 years old at the time. Talent shows turned into battle of the bands'...

Bobby Minicucci 2019

Robert “Bobby” Minicucci was the owner and manager of the popular Ontario House jazz club for over 40 years. Opened during WWIIby his parents Frank and Julia Minicucci, the Ontario House, a local tavern located at 920 Ontario Avenue in Niagara Falls, New Yorkevolved...

Alfred D Ligammari II 2019

Immediately out of high school Alfred Dominic Ligammari II (also known as Alimar) started on his journey as a visual artist. Having devoted his wonder years as an aspiring artist, it was time to apply what he had learned. After two years in Fine Arts at Niagara County...

Ron W. Laster, Sr. 2019

Ron ‘Rock’ Laster Began his musical career playing violin under the teachings of Wilbur Hatch, who was musical director for the I love LucyShow! After six years of violin training, he developed a feel for the guitar and cried until his dad bought him a guitar and...

Bob Hillman 2019

Bob Hillman, has been a go-to soundman and stage production manager in Western New York for over 40 years. As a student at Niagara Falls High school he had roles as an actor, soundman, lights, stage as well as technical director for the drama club. He played clarinet...

God’s Children 2019

God’s Children was born in 1989 in the backstreets of Niagara Falls, New York where they quickly became the torch bearers of original rock and roll music, standing out among the many cover bands populating the area. Through incredible radio support and widespread word...

Dee Ann Dimeo 2019

From Niagara Falls New York, DeeAnn has been performing since the age of seven along with studying piano, dance & guitar. Described as one of the best sought-after singers in this area, DeeAnn has graced small clubs to large venues with everything from solo to big...

Stephen Wieloszynski 2018 Legacy

1896-1975 Professor Szczepan ‘Stephen’ Wieloszynski, was a well-respected violinist, teacher, orchestra leader, and music store owner in Niagara Falls New York. He was a son of Polish immigrants who instilled him to work hard and devote time to helping youth. The...

Felix Viscuglia 2018 Legacy

1927-2009 Felix Viscuglia, born in Niagara Falls New York, was a world-renowned clarinetist. In the early 60’s Felix performed at many local clubs to include The Whirlpool, The Glass Bar and Club Rhapsody to name a few. He was hired for weddings and many private...

Anthony “Tony Paone” Paonessa 2018 Legacy

1915-2003 Anthony T. Paonessa, better known as ‘Tone “Saxophone” Paone’ was a life-long resident of Niagara Falls New York. He was best known as being the entertaining club manager of the infamous Stage Door Lounge for over 30 years which was a favorite Niagara Falls...

Natalo Paella 2018 Legacy

1927-2001 NataloPaella, awell-known trumpet player,was born and raised in Niagara Falls. When he was a young boy, he was taken to hear Duke Ellington’s band in Niagara Falls Ontario at a club called the Arena. That night he met trumpet player Cootie Williams and was...

Frederick “Freddy” Maruca 2018 Legacy

1932-2015 Freddy Marucca graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1950 and started a band with Joe ‘Burpo’ Marino, Joe and Tony Marillo and Joe Leo. He attended Fredonia School of Music, but left to join the Air Force when he was assigned to the Air Force Band,...

John “Spider” Martin 2018 Legacy

1931-2000 John W. ‘Spider’ Martin Jr. was a tenor saxophonist, and a highly respected jazz legend. He relocated to Niagara Falls New York with his family at a very young age. When his parents brought musical instruments into their home, Spider found his passion. He...

Donald Gais 2018 Legacy

1919-1996 Donald Elton Gais, born in Niagara Falls New York, was an internationally acclaimed jazz pianist and singer who performed for many years in the United States and Europe. At eight years old, he was already playing the piano at First Evangelical Church in...

Gregory DeDario 2018 Legacy

1949-2018 At the very young age of 8, Gregory DeDario was exposed to the Niagara Falls music scene. His father Bill DeDario was a trumpet player and many local musicians performed at his family's restaurant, DeDario's Grill located on Falls Street. At the age of 9,...

Dr. Edward D’Anna 2018 Legacy

1880-1965 Dr. Edward D’Anna was, in his day, the most famous musician in the city of Niagara Falls, known locally, nationally and internationally. He worked his entire career here and brought fame to the city as a home for great music and talented musicians....

Ronald Corsaro 2018 Legacy

1937-2017 Ronald L. Corsaro Sr., a musician, composer, arranger, teacher, and coach, began his musical journey playing the piano at teen dances and the Ontario House among other popular hang-outs in the 1950’s. He was a member of Joe Marillo and the Rockets performing...

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Inductee Ceremony Inductees

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